Rally of Canberra 2025: what you need to know

ENTRY

There are 26 cars entered as part of the Australian Rally Championship, four entries down on last year as numbers slowly get lower in the nation’s capital.

The 2023 version of the rally saw 34 cars ARC entered, with the two years prior to that receiving 32 and 33 respectively.

Lower numbers are a worry, but the quality of this year’s field is top-class with the addition of Hayden Paddon to tackle the Bates brothers, Scott Pedder and Alex Rullo.

In all, there are six Rally2 machines from Toyota, Skoda, and Hyundai, one older R5 car, and two G4 machines.

Stewart Reid’s Mitsubishi Mirage is the sole AP4 car.

There’s a good number of drivers in the Production Cup class, headed by Mick Harding’s Subaru, but he’ll be under intense pressure from Josh Wideman’s Mitsubishi and the Subarus of Andrew Penny and Darren Crozier.

Only three entries were received for the ARC’s 2WD classes; Tony Sullens in a Citroen (2WD Cup), and local father-and-son Trevor and Chris Stilling each driving in the 2WD Classic Cup.

Similarly, the Subaru Impreza RS’s of Jaidyn Gluskie and ARC debutant, Jackson Long, are the only Junior competitors.

The field is extended by a further six competitors who have entered the New South Wales Rally Championship, the East Coast Classic Rally Series, or the ACT Rally Series.

STAGES

Some pleasant changes are part of the itinerary for this year’s Toyota Gazoo Racing sponsored event, beginning with a new 5.34km stage called ‘Defib’ on the northern side of Paddy’s River Road.

The rest of leg one is relatively similar to last year, with a total of eight stages covering nearly 110km competitive for the opening day.

Some new roads in the Kowen Forest that haven’t been used for many years mean that Sunday will be exciting for all crews. New pace notes will need to be written and familiarity with the roads won’t be so widespread.

Leg two is the longest of the rally, with eight stages covering just over 111km competitive, giving a total rally distance of 220.76km.

The Power Stage will provide a real sting in the tail this year. While it once again goes through the well-known Rally Village, this year it is 16 kilometres in length.

It could decide the rally result, and will also provide bonus points for the stage winner.

SPECTATORS

A ceremonial start in the centre of Canberra is new this year, and takes the rally back to the masses, as it did in the successful 1990s and 2000s. With daylight savings still in operation, expect a big crowd to see the cars and crews.

The two days of rally competition are run on Saturday and Sunday and they are unique to each other.

Saturday’s stages are west of Canberra in the Tidbinbilla region, while Sunday’s action is to the east, near Queanbeyan in the Kowen Forest.

Viewing locations for spectators are available off Brindabella Road and Paddy’s River Road on Saturday, with Kowen Road the access point on Sunday.

The Service Park is also a crucial part of the event, again located at EPIC (Exhibition Park in Canberra), a hub for all things throughout the weekend.

FOR THOSE AT HOME

RallySport Magazine will provide rally updates via the website and social media accounts throughout the rally, while the official Australian Rally Championship website is the place for results on all devices via their Subaru Results Hub.

Look out for live shows from the series itself during the days and at the end of each Heat.

Other video content will be available from the leading teams during the weekend.

2025 Australian Rally Championship Calendar

Round 1: Rally of Canberra – March 22-23

Round 2: Forest Rally – May 23-25

Round 3: Rally Queensland – July 4-6

Round 4: Gippsland Rally – August 22-24

Round 5: Adelaide Hills Rally – October 3-5

Round 6: Rally Launceston – November 7-9