Motorsport News Podcast

For years, a distinct middle ground has been missing from the New Zealand rally market. The newly announced GR Yaris Rally Cup NZ aims to fill that void, offering a one-make platform to bridge the gap between grassroots club cars and outright Rally2 and AP4 machinery. On this episode of the Special Stage Rally Podcast, we sit down with Tony McConachy and Paul Fallon from Rally Race Group (R2G) to get the inside story on the new series’ creation. McConachy and Fallon explain the significant international interest the category is already attracting from competitors in Australia, Indonesia, and the United Kingdom. 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

Continuing our co-driver theme on Special Stage, Luke Whitten catches up with Dan Brkic to talk about his WRC2 debut at Rally Sweden. Brkic breaks down the step up to Rally2 machinery, explaining how the co-driver's to-do list grows significantly in a much faster car. The episode offers a detailed look into the reality of a privateer WRC2 campaign, and is a fascinating discussion with one of Australia’s top co-drivers about doing it the hard way and the work required to progress toward the peak of the 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

On this episode of Special Stage, Luke Whitten sits down with Australian co-driver Rhianon Gelsomino, who returns to the podcast after three years to discuss her recent co-driving adventures in the United States. We look at the current rally landscape in the US, specifically examining the more budget conscious limited 4WD class and what it takes to win there. As always with Gelsomino, listeners are treated to several valuable co-driving insights. It is an honest conversation about life in the sport and the unique challenges that come with competing at the top level in a growing rally nation like the United States. 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

It’s a shorter episode of Special Stage, but there’s no substance lacking as we speak to two of the quickest drivers in Australian rallying from the Pedders Rally Team launch. Scott Pedder and Jackson Long join the podcast while at PowerPlay Campbellfield to discuss their new liveries and the prospects for season 2026. What are they hoping for out of their test event at Bathurst this weekend? Just what are their hopes for the year? We speak to them on 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

On this episode of Special Stage, Luke Whitten and Peter Whitten pull back the curtain on some of rallying's hottest topics. We dive into everything from the new Toyota WRC prototype to the complex challenges of building a truly even Australian Rally Championship, where the balance of cost and competitiveness is key. Learn more about World Rally Champion Stig Blomqvist's highly anticipated return to Australia for the Flinders to Fleurieu event and hear about Richie Dalton’s Ford Escort destined for New Zealand. 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