The highly anticipated Shamrock Haulage NSW Rally Championship is set to launch with a thrilling first round as part of the Australian Rally Championship’s Toyota Gazoo Racing Rally of Canberra on March 22-23, 2025. With 16 teams in contention, the battle for supremacy promises to be fierce as the state’s best rally drivers take on the demanding Canberra stages.
Leading the charge is last year’s NSW Rally Champions, Josh Redhead from Blayney and Ray Winwood-Smith from Bathurst, in their Hyundai i20. After a dominant performance in 2024, the duo enters the season as clear favourites, but they will face stiff competition from a talented field eager to challenge for the top step of the podium.
“We’re heading for some testing of the car today on gravel in Canberra after a successful test last week at a tarmac event in Sydney. We’re really looking forward to the Rally of Canberra and our hope is to come away with the top spot in the NSW Championship”, said Redhead from the test day in Canberra.
Multiple NSW Rally Champion Tony Sullens from the Central Coast, with Kaylie Newell co-driving in the Citroën DS3, is expected to push Redhead throughout the event.
Additionally, Mal Keough will be hard to beat in his fire-breathing Audi Quattro, coming off a big season in 2024 and looking to make a strong start in 2025.
Also in the mix are local drivers Mick Harding and Andrew Penny, both competing in Subaru WRXs. These two experienced drivers finished second and third in the 2024 championship, and they are set to not only battle each other but also provide thrilling competition for the lead. With such a strong field, it could be anyone’s rally, and the result is completely unpredictable.
Another exciting entry is Jackson Long in the Impreza RS, who will be making his ARC debut with his father co-driving. This marks three generations of the Long family competing in the ARC. Long impressed at the final round of the 2024 NSW Championship and will be eager to showcase his skills as he competes in both the Junior ARC category and the NSW State series.
Spectators can expect high-speed action as the championship contenders navigate the diverse and testing terrain of the Rally of Canberra, an event renowned for its fast gravel roads and unpredictable conditions. Fans of the sport will be treated to an exciting mix of vehicles, including Subaru WRXs, Mitsubishi EVOs, a Citroën DS3, and an Audi Quattro S1 Replica, all set to showcase their capabilities on one of Australia’s premier rally stages.
For those wanting to experience the excitement up close, spectator guides are available at rally.com.au, with plenty of opportunities to catch the action in the forests and see the Shamrock Haulage NSW Championship contenders at full speed.
The Shamrock Haulage NSW Rally Championship continues to grow, attracting both experienced competitors and rising stars looking to make their mark in the sport. With the 2025 season officially kicking off, all eyes will be on Canberra to see who sets the early pace in the title race.
Stay up to date with results, updates, and event coverage by following @rallynsw on social media and visiting our website at rallynsw.com.au
