Big Names Set to Battle for Glory at the 2025 Lazer Rally of the Bay

With a near full field and entries capped at 65, anticipation is building for the 2025 Lazer Rally of the Bay on Saturday 2nd August. The iconic Batemans Bay based event is the next round of the Shamrock Haulage NSW Rally Championship, East Coast Classic Rally Series (ECCRS) and introduces the Shamrock Haulage RD Cup, a regularity rally for new and seasoned competitors. The weekend promises to bring fierce competition across all categories.

Crews will tackle ten demanding stages, including two night runs, as they rally through the fast, technical roads of the Eurobodalla forests.

There are several teams to watch in the NSW Rally Championship and the battle for outright honours is expected to be intense, with young gun Josh Redhead teaming up with Ray Winwood-Smith in the Hyundai i20 looking fast after strong early season performances, despite issues in previous rounds.

But they’ll face serious pressure from Harry Bates and Coral Taylor, bringing their Toyota GR Yaris to the event fresh off national competition success, and from Richie Dalton and Mac Kierans, in a similar AP4 specification Yaris who have shown impressive form in previous events and will be a threat, considering they have won the Rally of the Bay on four occasions.

Tony Sullens and Kaylie Newell are another pairing with the pace and experience to challenge for the podium in their Citroën DS3. But it will be some of the Classic cars that are likely to upset the 4WD turbo machinery at the front of the field.  Nathan Quinn and David Green are fresh off a second outright at the Bega Valley Rally and must be seen as a real contender.  Sean McAloon and Matthew James also continue to impress with their raw speed and consistency in a classic Mk2 Ford Escort.

The East Coast Classic Rally Series will deliver its own share of action, with a stacked field of classic machinery and seasoned talent. Frank Kelly, returning from Ireland with daughter Lauren Kelly in the legendary “Baby Blue” Escort Mk2, is sure to be a crowd favourite.

But it will be Quinn who brings championship-winning experience to the battle, likely to dominate in his fifty-year-old Mazda RX2. McAloon will also be a contender in the ECCRS battle and is sure to challenge Quinn every step of the way. Tom Clarke and Ryan Preston in the Datsun Stanza, along with Jeffrey David and Grant Geelan in a Porsche 911, will also keep the pressure on all day.

With top-tier talent across modern and classic classes, and the introduction of the Shamrock Haulage RD Cup bringing in new competitors, the 2025 Lazer Rally of the Bay is shaping up to be one of the highlights of the rally calendar.

The Clubman Rally Series battle is set to heat up again at the 2025 Lazer Rally of the Bay, with all of the Clubman winners from the Bega Valley Rally returning to the stages. With eight stages making up the Clubman route, this highly competitive field will again test their skills on fast and flowing Eurobodalla roads.

It was a dominant performance at Bega, with Ron McKinnon and Steve McKinnon proving the class of the field. Piloting their trusty Mitsubishi LA Lancer 2WD, the family duo showed experience and precision, taking a well-deserved win on some of the toughest stages on the calendar.

Hot on their heels will be Blake Stevens and Stephen Kent, who kept the pressure on all day at the previous round in their sharp-handling Honda Civic. The pair delivered a clean, consistent run and will be looking to take more valuable Clubman series points in Batemans Bay.

Mark Lacey and Tyler Schippan will be charging hard in their turbocharged Ford Laser TX3 4WD. The combination of 4WD traction and a steady pace will help them hold off the Clubman pack and are they will be looking to improve their position on the series leaderboard.

These crews will be among the most closely watched in the Clubman field at Batemans Bay and with the Clubman drivers seeded alongside championship competitors, fans can expect spirited action and tight racing across the eight-stage Clubman course.

About the 2025 Lazer Rally of the Bay

The 2025 Lazer Rally of the Bay is one of the most anticipated events on the New South Wales rally calendar. Held in Batemans Bay on Saturday 2nd August, the rally features ten special stages and over 170 km of competitive distance, including two spectacular night stages.

The event is based out of the Service Park at Corrigans Beach Reserve, with Rally HQ located at the Batemans Bay Marina Resort. It attracts a strong mix of state championship contenders, classic rally stars, club competitors, and newcomers.

The ten special stages, each backed by a dedicated sponsor, is a fantastic show of support from the rally community that helps bring the event to life. The day begins with the fast and flowing Premier Pools – Buckenbowra stage, before heading into the tighter, more technical sections of Wolf – Pig Lyon 1. It’s then a trip north up the Princess Hwy to tackle Winpart Group – Old Barkshed 1. From there, crews face the rhythm and narrow sections of Unifilter – Middle Ridge 1, before tackling the grip and pace of Pro Speed – Runnyford Rd, which if damp, could prove to catch some crews out. The loop continues with a second run through DBA – Pig Lyon 2, MCA Suspension – Old Barkshed 2, and Premier Panel Beating – Middle Ridge 2, offering a second shot at the day’s earlier challenges.

As the sun sets, the action continues under lights with two-night stages: Motorsport Connections – Pig Lyon 3 and Allied Traffic Management – Black River, adding a dramatic finish to an already demanding course. The support of these stage partners not only boosts the event’s profile but also showcases the strong connection between motorsport and business.

As a round of the Shamrock Haulage NSW Rally Championship, East Coast Classic Rally Series, Clubman Rally Series, and the ACT Regional Rally Series, the event is a key fixture for rally teams across the country. The rally also hosts the Shamrock Haulage RD Cup, a Regularity Rally designed to give road-registered cars and first-timers the chance to experience real stages in a controlled, precision-based format.

Spectators can catch the action at two designated viewing points:

• Premier Pools – Buckenbowra (morning and early afternoon)
• Winpart Group – Old Barkshed (midday and afternoon)

Results will be updated live via Chrissport, with media coverage supported by OHM Productions and photography by Roy Meuronen Photography. Stay up to date with results, updates, and event coverage by following @rallynsw on social media and visiting the website at rallynsw.com.au