Stokes leads but Hunt secures fourth championship - Rally of Whangarei Day 1

Robbie Stokes has capped a dramatic week by taking day one honours at the Vertex Oil International Rally of Whangarei but championship rival Ben Hunt has provisionally claimed the 2025 Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship.

Hunt (Skoda New Zealand Fabia Rally 2) secured his fourth career title when he claimed third place and the three championship points on the power stage (stage 4) on Saturday.

It means he has an unassailable lead in the points.

**Ben Hunt has provisionally claimed the 2025 Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship – photo Ross Hyde**

Stokes (Stokes Motorsport Skoda Fabia Rally 2), who had his win at the previous round taken off him due to a breach earlier in the week, pipped brother Jack Stokes on the final stage of the day to take a 4.8 second lead into Sunday.

The younger Stokes had dominated much of the day in another outstanding drive in the Stokes Motorsport Ford Fiesta AP4, but he dropped seven seconds to his brother in the second pass through the Pohe Island Super Special stage.

Hunt holds third place, 36 seconds off the lead.

**Jack Stokes had dominated much of the day in another outstanding drive in the Stokes Motorsport Ford Fiesta AP4 – photo Ross Hyde**

Caleb Macdonald and Larisa Biggar claimed the Rally Challenge 4WD championship by safely finishing the day in their borrowed Subaru H6, securing enough points to win the title.

Haydn Mackenzie (Toyota Yaris Proto) took the rally class honours after a faultless drive while Ben Huband (Subaru WRX) and Gavin Feast (Subaru WRX) completed the podium.

Josh Keighley (Subaru H6) held off the challenge of Kevin Laird (Subaru H6) to win the Group A Challenge championship.

Bryn Jones (Ford Fiesta) needs to finish Sunday’s stages to secure the NZRC 2WD championship, but he trails rival Tim Mackersy (Ford Fiesta) by 37.7 seconds after the opening day.

Deane Buist (Ford Escort) was able to provisionally secure the NZRC 2WD title after rival Stephen Gill (Ford Escort) crashed out. Buist also failed to finish but has enough points to claim victory.

Tim McIver (Ford Escort) enjoyed a superb day to hold the lead in the class – comfortably ahead of Mike Cameron (Mitsubishi Lancer).

Dave Strong (Honda Jazz) was the only starter in the Open 2WD class and secured the title simply by starting the event. He enjoyed a solid day back in his favoured car.

The rally continues on Sunday with a further eight stages.