Ben Hunt secures fourth New Zealand Rally Championship
Words NZ Autocar | Images Geoff Ridder
Ben Hunt has taken out the 2025 New Zealand Rally Championship during a dramatic Vertex Oil International Rally of Whangarei.
Despite trailing by over one minute as he crossed the line in his Skoda Fabia Rally 2, Hunt secured the overall championship victory.
This marks Hunt’s fourth victory in the local championship, joining the likes of Hayden Paddon, Richard Mason and Bruce Herbert, who have also won it four times.
Robbie Stokes was the one standing atop the podium in Whangarei over the weekend, marking his second career victory.
Jack Stokes battled brother Robbie for the rally lead until a puncture on Stage 16 dropped him out of podium contention. Stokes ultimately settled for fourth after an otherwise impressive run.
Capitalising on the misfortune ahead, Jack Hawkeswood guided his Toyota Yaris Rally 2 to a strong podium on debut, edging Ben Hunt for second-day honours and confirming the car’s competitive potential from the outset.
The championship will return in 2026 with the first round to be held in Otago in April.
