Irish-born rally star Richie Dalton, alongside co-driver Mac Kierans, is heading to Batemans Bay full of confidence and excitement as he prepares to take on the 2025 Lazer Rally of the Bay in his Toyota GR Yaris AP4.
The car will be prepared and serviced by the renowned Neal Bates Motorsport team, a name synonymous with rallying success in Australia. Their technical expertise and championship-winning experience will be key in extracting every ounce of performance from Dalton’s GR Yaris across the demanding mix of gravel stages the event is known for.
Dalton, a fan favourite with strong results across the NSW and national rally scene, has already completed reconnaissance and is full of praise for the condition and design of the course.
“I’ve done recce and the roads in the Bay are absolutely amazing and in pristine condition,” Dalton said. “I’m hoping to be seeded in the top 3, as there’s very little road sweeping this year with the stages so hard packed and it will suit my car.”
“The Buckenbowra and Pig Lyon stages are phenomenal and they are my two favourites,” Dalton added. “I can’t wait to compete on these two stages, it’s going to be a very fast rally.”
Richie Dalton enters the 2025 event as one of the most experienced drivers in the field, having already claimed victory at the Lazer Rally of the Bay four times in the past. His team, Shamrock Motorsport, continues to be a familiar name in the service park, while his business, Shamrock Haulage, plays a major role in supporting the sport, proudly sponsoring the NSW Rally Championship, the Shamrock Haulage RD Cup, and this very event.
Dalton’s GR Yaris will also be turning heads before it even hits the stages, thanks to a bold new livery unveiled this week. Featuring a striking green, white, and black colour scheme, the design prominently showcases Shamrock Haulage branding and Irish-themed graphics. The fresh look reflects both the professionalism of the operation and Dalton’s proud Irish-Australian identity, and it’s sure to stand out against the forest backdrop of Batemans Bay.
The 2025 Lazer Rally of the Bay is the fourth round of the Shamrock Haulage NSW Rally Championship and also forms part of the East Coast Classic Rally Series, Clubman Rally Series, and ACT Regional Rally Series. Based out of the Service Park at Corrigans Beach Reserve, the event takes place on Saturday 2nd August and features a mix of high-speed sections and technical forest roads and concludes with a dramatic night-time finale.
Spectators will be able to see Dalton and the full field in action from two designated spectator points, offering prime vantage spots in the Eurobodalla forests.
