Stokes beats Stokes for Mainland Rally Championship line honours in Canterbury

An emotional Robbie Stoles has beaten his brother Jack Stokes to take line honours at the third round of the 2025 Mainland Rally Championship. The one-day Lone Star Rally of Canterbury in association with Joe’s Garage saw nine Special Stages across North Canterbury with Robbie winning six and Jack the other three.

“I don’t have any words,” commented Stokes. “It is still to sink in as it’s been a brilliant day.”

***Jack Stokes/Hayden Graves (Ford Fiesta AP4) won three Special Stages – photo Euan Cameron***

The event also doubled as the third round of the New Zealand Championship with Robbie Stokes/Shane Reynolds (Skoda Rally2 Evo) winning from Ben Hunt/Tony Rawstorn (Skoda Rally2 Evo) and Jack Stokes/Hayden Graves (Ford Fiesta AP4) in third.

“That was really hard work,” said Jack Stokes. “We have been battling a power steering issue in the last stage with almost no power steering. Really stoked with the result. Had a few small issues but once we gained confidence in the car this morning it has been really good.

“The step up to the AP4 has been really good, I’m loving it. We got lucky heading into service (Cheviot) with the alternator dying on us. Got lucky with that one.”

**Third home in the MRC was a jubilant Caleb MacDonald/Larisa Biggar (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) – photo Terry Marshall**

Third home in the MRC was a jubilant Caleb MacDonald/Larisa Biggar (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) followed by Tim Smith/Ben Trevelyan (Subaru H6) and Josh Marston/Andrew Graves (Holden Barina AP4).

“Had a really good day,” said MacDonald. “No real issues with the car. I was a bit slow first thing as it took me a bit to get into a rhythm but can’t complain at all.”

Marston won the previous round in South Canterbury but struck an engine ‘Error Issue’ partway through the third stage necessitating a reset and engine restart, losing valuable time which dropped them down to thirteenth before a fight back to finish in fifth.

***Josh Silcock/Ben Leech (Toyota Starlet) were first home in Class A (2WD 0-1300cc) – photo Euan Cameron***

“It’s been a tough day,” said Marston. “Good to get to the end. Overall, it’s been a really good day other than losing time in one stage. “

Seven separate Class battles also took place over the day. Josh Silcock/Ben Leech (Toyota Starlet) were first home in Class A (2WD 0-1300cc) ahead of Jal Elliott/Blair Bronsan (Toyota Vitz). Silcock has extended his lead over Mike Matheson to 28-points.

***Ian Warren/Brody Cattermole (Nissan Pulsar) were first home in Class B (2WD 1601cc and over) – photo Terry Marshall***

In Class B (2WD 1601cc and over) Ian Warren/Brody Cattermole (Nissan Pulsar) were first home and now lead the class after previous leaders Thomas Paul/Bridget Airey (Honda Civic) retired with a gearbox issue in Special Stage 7.

Deane Buist continues his strong form in Class C (2WD 1601cc and over) and continues to lead Richard Gailey (BMW 320i) with Andrew Slim/ moving into third after Marcus van Klink (Mazda RX8) retired with a mechanical in Special Stage 3.

***Deane Buist continues his strong form in Class C (2WD 1601cc and over) – photo Euan Cameron***

Robbie Stokes continues to hold the overall MRC lead and now has a nine-point lead in Class D (4WD) to Marston with Caleb MacDonald also in contention holding third, six-points further back.

Hayden Shakespeare/Joshua Henderson (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3) were first home in Class E and are now equal on points with Nathan Fraser.

Stephen Gill (Ford Escort Mk2) has stretched his lead in Class F (Classic 2WD) to sixteen-points over Paul Cross (Toyota Corolla AE86).

**Hayden Shakespeare/Joshua Henderson (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3) was first home in Class E – photo Terry Marshall**

Tim Smith/Ben Trevelyan (Subaru Impreza) have retaken the lead in Class H6 after Kevin Laird was not able to make the start-line.

Stokes has increased his overall MRC lead to 15-points back to Marston with MacDonald in third a further five points behind. Jack Stokes has moved up into fourth overall ahead of Deane Buist (Ford Escort) who finished the rally in sixth.

***Stephen Gill (Ford Escort Mk2) has stretched his lead in Class F (Classic 2WD) – photo Terry Marshall***

Drivers and teams now have a break before the fourth round, the Wyndham Rally in Southland takes place 2 August 2025.

The 2025 Mainland Rally Championship has the support of RDL Performance, Brita Safety Ltd, Palmside NZ Ltd, Christchurch Building and Decorating Ltd, Thomson Rust and Repair Services Ltd, Rally Drive NZ.

***Tim Smith/Ben Trevelyan (Subaru Impreza) have retaken the lead in Class H6 – photo Terry Marshall***

Mainland Rally Championship Overall Results – Canterbury Rally
(Classification, Driver 1/ Driver 2, Car, Class)
1/ Robbie Stokes/ Shane Reynolds Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo D
2/ Jack Stokes /Hayden Graves Ford Fiesta AP4 D
3/ Caleb MacDonald /Larisa Biggar Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6 D
4/ Tim Smith /Ben Trevelyan Subaru Magnum H6 H
5/ Josh Marston /Andrew Graves Holden Barina AP4 D
6/ Deane Buist /James McIver Ford Escort Mk2 C
7/ Steve Gill /Grant Molloy Ford Escort Mk2 F
8/ Andrew Sim /Dave Neill Ford Escort Mk2 C
9/ Ally Mackay /Mikko Johnston Ford Escort Mk1 F
10/ Ian Warren /Brody Cattermole Nissan Pulsar B
11/ Brian Green /Brianna Little Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 D
12/ Richard Galley /Claire Buccini BMW 320i C
13/ Josh Silcock /Ben Leech Toyota Starlet A
14/ Hayden Shakespeare/ Joshua Henderson Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3 E
15/ Jak Elliott /Blair Bronsan Toyota Vitz A
16/ Mike Matheson /Gordon Legge Toyota Vitz A
17/ Paul Cross /Janey Blair Toyota Corolla F
18/ Pat Norris /Kevin Cooke Toyota Corolla F
19/ Kevin Brockie /Darryl McManus Toyota Vitz A
dnf Sean Haggarty /Bella Haggarty Subaru Impreza D
dnf Marcus van Klink/ Matt Richards Mazda RX8 C
dnf Shane Mckenzie /Sean Sands Mitsubishi Galant E
dnf Thomas Paul /Bridget Airey Honda Civic B
dnf Andy Martin /Matt Hayward Ford Escort Mk2 F
dnf Harri Silcock /Mark Greenwood Toyota Starlet B
dnf Rory Lawn /Matt Sayers Toyota Starlet B

Overall Points after 3/6 rounds
1/ Robbie Stokes 86
2/ Josh Marston 71
3/ Caleb MacDonald 66
4/ Jack Stokes 54
5/ Deane Buist 53
6/ Stephen Gill 43
7/ Brian Green 42
8/ Tim Smith 37
9/ Richard Galley 31
10= Andrew Sim 29
10= Ian Warren 29
12/ Kevin Laird 28
13/ Thomas Paul 27
14/ Marcus van Klink 22
15/ Josh Silcock 20