RallySport Magazine visit Australia's leading rally team, Neal Bates Motorsport, for this week’s Special Stage Rally Podcast to talk with Harry and Lewis Bates. Both won rounds of the Australian Rally Championship this year, and we asked them about the season, what it was like competing against Hayden Paddon and what the offseason has in store... We also ask about improvements. How can they improve their speed when seat time is so limited? It’s a laid back conversation which covers many topics with these Australian Rally Champions, and is one not to miss. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
If you didn't know that the Alpine Rally was run and won last weekend, there's a fair chance you were living under a rock. We talk in-depth about the event on this week's Special Stage Rally Podcast, from the rally winners to the weather conditions and everything in between. But it wasn't the only rally on last weekend, with the WRC decided in Saudi Arabia. Was the result of the WRC a shock, and is Sebastien Ogier the greatest of all time? We give our views, and look ahead to this weekend’s Safari, where Aussies Tim Wilkins and Ray Winwood-Smith will compete in a Datsun 260Z. It's December, but there's still plenty to talk about on the Special Stage Rally Podcast. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The wait is almost over, with the 2025 Alpine Rally set to run in East Gippsland this weekend. This week's Special Stage Rally Podcast is all about the Alpine, and we've chatted to some of the leading contenders to get their views on how the event is going to play out. Can Nathan Quinn complete a hat-trick? Will Tristan Carrigan's big Magna spoil the party, or perhaps Brendan Reeves will finally break his Alpine duck. We discuss the weather, the stage lengths, and who we think might be holding up the winner's trophy after three tough days of competition. Fourteen stages and 370 competitive kilometres are ahead of us, and we can't wait. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tasmania? Japan? Whangarei? What was your focus on a weekend full of rally action? The Special Stage Rally Podcast team are back with in-depth discussion on all three events that filled our lives over the weekend. From Hayden Paddon's ARC triumph, Ben Hunt’s title in New Zealand, to another Sebastien Ogier masterclass, we have it all covered. Then there's Ott Tanak's retirement, Oliver Solberg's second coming at the top level, and much more. Sit back and listen to the guys chat all things rallying on another bumper edition of the Special Stage Rally Podcast. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The season finale is here! Rally Tasmania is set to decide who takes home the Australian Rally Championship crown — with both Hayden Paddon and Lewis Bates still in contention for the title. Host Matthew Whitten is joined by Taylor Gill to break down what’s in store on the island stages, and what it will take for the championship hopefuls to come out on top. We also take a look beyond Australia — previewing Rally Japan as well as the International Rally of Whangarei in New Zealand as we see where we think the big names will end up. Plus, Taylor shares insights from his season finale at the Central European Rally. It’s arguably the biggest rally week of the year — listen now to lap up all the anticipation for three big events. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What a heart breaker! Taylor Gill came so close to winning the 2025 Junior World Rally Championship that it's still hard to believe what we witnessed. The Special Stage Rally Podcast team discuss the Central European Rally with a fine tooth comb, and despite the result, we couldn't be any prouder of Taylor and Dan Brkic and the season they produced. There was also plenty happening at the top end of the WRC, while closer to home, we recap last weekend's Akademos Rally in Victoria, and look ahead to the state championship finale in Western Australia. We touch on Jackson Long's new-for-2026 Skoda Fabia R5, and what's next for rallying's top juniors, now that the FIA Rally Star program has concluded. Rallying is a never-ending story, so join us this week as we talk about the hot topics. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this week's Special Stage Rally Podcast, we delve into last weekend's Adelaide Hills Rally, the fifth round of the Australian Rally Championship. It saw another masterclass from Kiwi Hayden Paddon, but also ended the title hopes of Harry Bates after he put his Toyota off the road. We discuss the implications from the weekend, review the performances of some of your favourite drivers, and look ahead to the final round in Tasmania. Taylor Gill's Rally3 win in Croatia is also on the agenda, as is the upcoming round of the New South Wales Rally Championship. It's getting close to Alpine Rally time as well, with several drivers already beginning their preparations. All that and more on this week's Special Stage Rally Podcast. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Round five of the Australian Rally Championship is ready to run, with the Adelaide Hills Rally set to challenge crews up and down the field. A couple of lesser-known voices take over the Special Stage Rally Podcast to preview the event as RallySport Magazine’s Matt Whitten is joined by reigning ARC Junior Cup winner, Mitch Garrad. They talk about the ARC round, the Croatian round of the European Rally Championship and what’s news in rallying this week. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Regular Special Stage Rally Podcast guest, Brendan Reeves, took out the Victorian Rally Championship at the weekend and he joins us to talk all about it. From sending it on his favourite stage, Mt Slide, to replicating what his father and brother did years earlier, this is a wide-ranging chat that also unearths what’s next for ‘Brendo’ for the rest of the year. We also touch briefly on the Australian Rally Championship’s class changes and ‘Brendo’ gives his thoughts on what it may mean for the future. Episode 113 of Special Stage is one not to miss. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this episode of the BJR Run Down, BJR general manager Chris Westwood and the driver of the #96 Macauley Jones break down a big weekend at The Bend, how the track raced at its first endurance race, plus how things went down from the team’s four cars on track. The latest parity changes are examined, plus why the 2026 calendar needs to make sense. And of course, there is the latest on the race that stops the nation: the Shitbox Rally on Macca’s Shake N Bake Farm! Become a BJR Member in 2025 >> https://www.bradjonesracing.com.au/bjr-memberships Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It was Australia’s champion versus our best young talent at the weekend in Narooma, but it was a battle that was far too short... This week’s Special Stage Rally Podcast covers the Narooma Forest Rally, won by Harry Bates and Mac Kierans. We will discuss the fast stages of the south coast of New South Wales and share our impressions of what the national championship will be in for when it visits next June. Also on the agenda is a brand new Otago Rally book being produced by RallySport Magazine. It's one to look out for a little bit later in the year. We detail all the info you need to know. The Valley Stages, Richie Dalton’s incredible Irish experience, and of course, WRC Rally Chile are all covered in what’s a brief but jam-packed episode of the podcast. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tim Possingham has two big events in South Australia, and the Adelaide Rally is up next. With more than 450 entries on the list, including the likes of Hayden Paddon, Alister McRae and Frank Kelly, we ask him about the process of getting those big names. He shares some of the secrets of the rally and just how they go about running the event with support from the South Australian Government. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The wraps came off the Gen3-spec Toyota Supra Supercar ahead of this week’s edition of the Brad Jones Racing Run Down. BJR general manager Chris Westwood and the driver of the #96 Macauley Jones chat about the car’s first track laps, which Macca was on hand for at Toyota Australia’s in-house test track. They also give an update on the progress of BJR’s first Supra chassis, and how it’s going to be a very busy Christmas in Hope Court this year. They also chat about the upcoming enduros, The Bend 500 and Bathurst 1000, as well as the even bigger contest that is looming: the battle of the BJR crew in the Shitbox Rally on Macca’s Shake N Bake Farm! Become a BJR Member in 2025 >> https://www.bradjonesracing.com.au/bjr-memberships Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jackson Long is the 2025 Australian Rally Championship Junior Cup winner, and it’s overdue that we get him on the podcast to talk about his career so far. Currently completing his year 12 studies, Jackson has had a busy 2025. He’s fitted in plenty of his passion – rallying – to his timetable this year. He shares what he thought of WRC Rally del Paraguay with RallySport Magazine’s Luke Whitten, and tells what’s next in the upcoming ARC rounds of South Australia and Tasmania. There’s also a tease for something new for 2026. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The 2025 Gippsland Rally has been run and won, so what do we make of Hayden Paddon's domination over the two days of competition? The RallySport Magazine team discuss what the result means for the Australian Rally Championship, and what we liked and didn't like about a rally in “The Middle of Everywhere". Jackson Long and Tony Sullens both wrapped up their respective ARC Cups, and we also saw an eye-catching performance from a former ARC event winner in his state series. We also touch on this weekend's cancelled Rosewood Rally, look ahead to the WRC's first visit to Paraguay in South America, and comment on a former cricket star's rallying debut. It’s all on this week's Special Stage Rally Podcast. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
There’s plenty of ground to cover this week on The Brad Jones Racing Run Down! It’s been awhile since we’ve heard from the driver of the #96 Macauley Jones and BJR general manager Chris Westwood, and they look back at a challenging weekend at Queensland Raceway and talk through one of the most challenging parts of the Gen3 era: the setup window. They also explain where they are at with the build of their first Toyota Supercar, working with homologation team Walkinshaw Andretti United and what’s to come as the Supra prepares to hit the track and then the windtunnel. They also chat about the recent Enduro Cup rule changes, Macca’s recent work with a BMW Super Tourer, and how one of Brad’s old NASCARs recently made a brief return to BJR headquarters! Become a BJR Member in 2025 >> https://www.bradjonesracing.com.au/bjr-memberships Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
There has been more than a few talking points arise this week, with RallySport Magazine finding that the tyre tender process is now open for the ARC for the years 2027-29. The team talk about this and share some of their opinions before looking ahead to the Gippsland Rally. Can Harry Bates recoup some of his championship deficit to Hayden Paddon, or can someone like Lewis Bates elevate his speed to properly announce himself as a title contender? Night rallying also returns, and the eagerness of such action is discussed in detail. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Australian Rally Championship has been through a transition period. A change in ownership was the big move in the summer offseason, and a hotly contested series so far has many eyeballs on the sport. Luke Whitten talks to owners Adrian and Jill Coppin about where they hope to take the ARC and how they think the season has gone thus far. We ask about how they felt about the move away from Canberra, as they highlight what impact the ARC has on how the events shape up. The Junior Cup and the pathways into the top of the sport in Australia are also discussed in a wide-ranging interview. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The news that Narooma will host a round of the Australian Rally Championship, replacing the Rally of Canberra, is big news, so who better to talk about this with than the rally's Clerk of Course, Adrian Dudok? The experienced Dudok explains the reasons behind the move, and what this means for rallying in Canberra moving forward. We also discuss last weekend's Rally Finland rollercoaster, where Toyota dominated by securing the top five places, and Australian Taylor Gill doubled his lead in the Junior World Rally Championship. The cancellation of the Rally of the Bay, and the winners of the South Australia's Barossa Rally, are also discussed in another big week for rallying. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Our beloved sport has had many eras, and it’s been able to thrive in all of them thus far. What about the next era, though? Road access is becoming trickier, as is the organisation of events. Brett Middleton chats with Luke Whitten about rally organisation and how car clubs are preparing for their events in the current age. There’s plenty of vital information to learn about and many ways we can spruik the benefits of our sport. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Rally Estonia was the most remarkable World Rally Championship event in recent memory. Oliver Solberg and Elliott Edmondson waited 1,019 days for their second chance in a Rally1 car, and it took just one event to be on the top step of the podium. It was a meteoric rise and not just the shock of the season, but probably the shock of the decade. Luke Whitten and Alex Rullo chat about the rally, and we ask where the young Swede goes next with no more Rally1 drives locked in. Rullo also speaks about the improvement in his driving in the Australian Rally Championship and how his season is tracking. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Australian Rally Championship is at the halfway point, and RallySport Magazine spends significant time unpacking the proceedings thus far. What did we think of the action, and where do the likes of Harry Bates, Scott Pedder, and Lewis Bates go to catch the leader, Hayden Paddon? Can any of them catch the flying Kiwis? All of this is covered in the 103rd episode of the Special Stage Rally Podcast, helped made possible by the RallySport Magazine subscribers. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this week’s episode of The Brad Jones Racing Run Down, the driver of the #96 Macauley Jones and BJR general manager Chris Westwood are joined by BJR founder, owner and boss Brad Jones. Along with wrapping up a promising but bruising Darwin Triple Crown weekend, they also chat about the persistent of ‘parity’ complaints from Ford drivers and teams, the format of this weekend’s Townsville 500 – including just who’ll be watching the Friday afternoon sprint race – the scale of the damage to Jaxon Evans’ primary car from his shunt at Hidden Valley, and the latest on their preparations for their switch to Toyota for 2026. Off the back of Shane van Gisbergen’s wins in Chicago, Brad shares some NASCAR street racing tales of his own, while Macca talks about his chance to steer a BMW Super Tourer recently. And guess who happens to have a few Super Touring stories up his sleeve… Become a BJR Member in 2025 >> https://www.bradjonesracing.com.au/bjr-memberships Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Returning to action this weekend, the Australian Rally Championship heads to Queensland, where the four-way title fight will continue with a vengeance. Lewis Bates and Hayden Paddon have won the opening two rounds of the series, but the likes of Harry Bates and Scott Pedder will be eager to get on the board with a win in the Sunshine State. Keeping these Rally2 cars on the road on treacherously narrow roads will be a tricky task at the world-class speed needed to win in 2025. Luke Whitten and Arron Windus discuss the prospects for the weekend ahead, while also looking back to a rough and rocky Acropolis Rally where there was success for a pair of Australians. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A rare link between rallying and Supercars took place over the past couple of weeks to lock in important dates in April next year and Peter Whitten talks about how that came about. Elsewhere on the podcast this week, we look ahead to the Acropolis Rally in Greece on what are notoriously rough stages, and we touch on the assault of a volunteer official at Victoria’s Nissan Nightmoves. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On the centenary episode of the Special Stage Rally Podcast, Scott Pedder joins Peter Whitten to unravel the week of rallying and look ahead to Rally Queensland. Pedder gives his insights on Rally Poland, an event he’s done twice before in the World Rally Championship, and comments on the Australians competing overseas that are impressing the Victorian. Then, the conversation moves to the updates for his Skoda and his entry into this weekend's West Australian state round and just what he’ll focus on with the extra seat time. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sebastien Ogier is only doing a part time program in the WRC, but he’s right in the title fight. We ask if he’s the greatest ever and if he should try for title number nine this year. The RallySport Magazine team then get into the popular Bega Valley Rally and the unique nature of Dean Ridge’s victory aboard a Ford Fiesta G4. He may have had two co-drivers during the event, but it was a fine win of more than 30 seconds ahead of two wheel drive runners Nathan Quinn and Claude Murray. Also discussed is Toby Price’s recent ARC plans and Hayden Paddon’s superb preparation for Rally Queensland. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2017 Australian Rally Champion, Nathan Quinn, joins the Special Stage Rally Podcast to talk to Luke Whitten about his last 12 months of rallying. That time period includes his incredible run at the Silver Fern Rally late last year, and the rebuild process of his pretty Mazda RX2. It’s timely we have the Coffs Harbour local on the podcast given his return to the stages is at this weekend’s Bega Valley Rally, and he talks us through just what to expect from the popular rally. He’s also quizzed on the World Rally Championship and tells us his thoughts on the state of the Australian Rally Championship after two of six nail biting rounds so far this year. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this week’s episode of The Brad Jones Racing Run Down, the driver of the #96 Macauley Jones and BJR general manager Chris Westwood preview this weekend’s Supercars round at Wanneroo. Macca runs through the challenges offered by the abrasive surface, his “swamp donkey” teammate’s latest home round among the “André Supercars Series”, the logistics behind teams going direct from Perth to Darwin for the next round in a fortnight’s time, a story of team tactics gone wrong from his days in Formula Ford, and a big bit of news on the personal front. Become a BJR Member in 2025 >> https://www.bradjonesracing.com.au/bjr-memberships Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Australian Rally Championship finally got back into action in Western Australia last week and a wet rally created for more storylines than we expected. Hayden Paddon became only the third international driver to win a round of the series and with it overtook Lewis Bates for the championship lead. We talk about Scott Pedder’s strong speed and off-road excursion as well as look at where Harry Bates can improve for round three in Queensland. The ARC is shaping up to be a four way fight this season and the RallySport Magazine team unpack it all. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
