Huge weekend of rallying expected at Rally Queensland

Friday 04 July, 2025

Photo: CH Images

The Accent Benchtops Rally Queensland commences this weekend, with plenty to celebrate this weekend as the EROAD Australian Rally Championship (ARC) reaches a major milestone in Gympie.

The ARC will hit an impressive 350 rounds since its inauguration back in 1968, with 23 registered national crews driving 193 competitive kilometres spread across 14 stages.

ARC Director Adrian Coppin expressed his excitement the championship will reach the significant milestone this weekend.

“To hit 350 rounds is a very special moment for the ARC as it highlights the championship’s longevity, and I am extremely proud to be involved in its current form,” Coppin said.

“There have been thousands of people to contribute to this championship’s success over the years and we are extremely lucky to be a part of it now.”

Since the ARC’s first official season, there have been plenty of good times to roll through and many big names and brands are to have plied their trade as part of the exciting championship.

“What better way to celebrate the milestone than at an event that has played a role throughout the ARC’s long and rich history – one that has been on the world spotlight as an international event in its previous adaptations and one that continually puts on a good show for teams, drivers and fans alike,” Coppin added.

Rally Queensland continues to establish itself as a favourite amongst competitors and fans alike throughout the ARC season, with another strong field waiting in the wings to get racing underway.

A title fight is already forming after the first two rounds of the season. Kiwi stars Hayden Paddon and John Kennard are hopeful to build on their maiden ARC win in May’s Forest Rally.

The Hyundai i20N Rally2 pilots aren’t the only international acts locked in to feature in Gympie, with Irishman Patrick O’Brien to make his debut alongside the West Australian Shane Farrell in a top-spec Ford Fiesta Rally2 car.

Leading the Aussie contingent will be the pair of Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia GR Yaris Rally2 cars of Harry and Lewis Bates – both of whom will need to secure an important win in their push for the title – the former of which is yet to notch up a win this year.

Pedders Suspension and Brakes’ Scott Pedder and Glenn Macneall in the Skoda Fabia Rally2 and the Hyundai i20 Rally2 of IntelliSpatial Fleetcare Racing’s Alex Rullo and Steve Glenney are also in the mix of the remaining crews.

Outside of the outright field, the WOLF Production Cup is also stoking plenty of interest, as Josh Wiedman and Clayton Hoy will be hoping to add another victory to their charge.

Meanwhile, reigning class champion Bodie Reading’s official title defence begins this weekend in what is his first bout of the year.

For live results of each stage, as well as the cup and overall standings throughout the event, fans can head to the Subaru Results Hub on rally.com.au at any point over the weekend.

Four stages will be live streamed throughout the rally via EROAD Australian Rally Championship’s YouTube and Facebook pages, and for the first time ever, on Instagram. Below are the estimated start times for each.