As New Zealand’s rally season hurtles toward its finale at Rally Whangarei this weekend (8-10 November), all eyes are on Hayden Paddon and Ben Hunt. Paddon’s relentless pursuit of Hunt continued with a stellar performance at Rally Bay of Plenty (BOP), inching him closer to Hunt’s championship lead. The two-time Gold Star Champion, Hunt now holds a slim 12-point lead, putting both drivers under intense pressure as they prepare for the season’s decisive showdown.
The Whangarei event, offering a maximum of 44 points across two days, is the largest single points opportunity in the season. With second-place finishes yielding 36 points, Hunt must maintain podium positions across the Power Stage, two legs, and the overall round. However, if Paddon wins the Power Stage, Hunt’s lead could rapidly diminish. Even if Hunt finishes second in every event component, a critical slip-up in the Power Stage could lead to a tie, allowing Paddon to win the championship based on round wins.
Paddon, a seven-time NZRC champion, has never entered the season’s final round as the chaser. With Robbie Stokes, Emma Gilmour, Zeal Jones, Dylan Thomson, Stewart Reid, and Haydn Mackenzie all ready to capitalize on any missteps by Hunt, the competition could not be tighter. And if both Paddon and Hunt encounter trouble, a three-way battle between Robbie, Emma, and Zeal may decide the championship.
A clutch of champions crowned at Rally BOP
While the Gold Star and Cat 1 titles are still undecided, the Rally BOP has already settled several championships. Notably, Willy Hawes’ co-driver, Jason Dwyer, secured the Cat 3 title, and Helen Cameron clinched the Cat 4 co-driver award, adding to her classic title from 2009. Junior champion Zeal Jones also made history, joining the likes of Paddon himself, who won his first title as a 19-year-old in 2006.
Other notable victories include cousins Dylan and Bayden Thomson, who claimed the 2WD Rally Championship and Cat 2 titles for the sixth time since 2017.
Final battles in category championships and team contests
The battle for supremacy in other categories remains fierce. In Cat 3, Dave Strong must hope for a DNF from leader Willy Hawes to close a 26-point gap, while Paul Fraser leads Cat 4 by 23 points but will need to fend off Mike Cameron.
The Rookie Driver title features six contenders, led by Caleb MacDonald, who holds a six-point advantage over teammate Carter Strang. The Gold Card Driver title has defending champion Dave Strong positioned just 10 points behind Paul Fraser, with Mike Cameron also in close contention.
International stakes and manufacturer titles
The Manufacturer Championship remains competitive, with Ford leading Skoda and Hyundai by a narrow margin. Ford’s success owes much to Dylan Thomson’s points contributions, though he has now shifted to Cat 1 in a Subaru. Skoda’s Ben Hunt and Hayden Paddon of Hyundai are in close pursuit, while Citroën’s Emma Gilmour holds a mathematical chance to snatch the title.
A rising star’s path to the World Rally Championship
New Zealand rally prodigy Zeal Jones recently earned a coveted place in the Toyota Gazoo Racing WRC Challenge Program. Jones, one of six to qualify out of 100, will head to Finland in December for the final shootout, where he’ll compete on ice and snow against some of the world’s top young rally talents.
The FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship comes to Whangarei
Rally Whangarei is also the final round of the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), making this weekend even more pivotal. Hayden Paddon, a past Pacific Cup winner, will compete for the overall APRC title. Meanwhile, young talents Robbie Stokes, Zeal Jones, and Jack Hawkeswood are battling in the FIA Junior APRC Championship, with Hawkeswood leading the Pacific Rally Cup after a strong showing at Otago.
As the season’s end approaches, Whangarei is set to deliver a nail-biting climax. Whether Paddon claims an eighth national title, Hunt defends his lead, or an unexpected challenger rises to the occasion, fans are in for an unforgettable finish.