Motorsport News Podcast

In this masterclass episode of Special Stage, we look at driver development and hear from Brendan Reeves, who’s helped many drivers get to the next level. Geared toward drivers who already have a few events under their belt but want to safely push the limits, this episode covers the habits required to get further up the leaderboard. We dive deep into the psychological and technical fundamentals of...

In this packed episode of Special Stage, we gear up for a massive weekend of action as we preview the upcoming Narooma Forest Rally and the iconic Acropolis Rally. We look at the Experts Cup Rally in WA and speak about some popular roads returning in Tasmania. Plus, make sure you stay tuned until the very end of the episode for an exclusive news tease that’s earmarked as potentially the biggest ne...

In this episode of Special Stage, we take a trip down memory lane to look back at the controversial 2009 edition of Rally Australia in Kingscliff and reflect on the history of Greg Carr’s iconic Lancia. We wrap up all the action from the Bega Valley Rally, alongside a review of the weekend's Jimna Rallysprint in Queensland. Looking ahead, we also preview the 50th Anniversary Nissan Nightmoves even...

On this episode, host Luke Whitten is joined by Tim Wilkins and Ray Winwood-Smith for a long-overdue chat about their amazing adventure at the Classic Safari Rally. Taking place in Kenya at the end of last year, the gruelling endurance event is the stuff of rallying legend, and these are the first Aussies to do it in a long time. Tim and Ray give their account of what it actually takes to tackle o...

Western Australia’s Forest Rally was won by Scott Pedder, but many competitors will be rueing costly mistakes from a chaotic weekend. Luke and Matt Whitten give their thoughts on the rally weekend and ask many questions that arose from the action. Why were there so many crashes? Is it best to drive on a puncture? Who is the championship favourite? All are discussed in detail on Special Stage. Spec...

On Special Stage this week, we welcome Hayden Paddon to the podcast to break down his World Rally Championship season so far. We dive into his 2026 campaign, getting a firsthand understanding at how his year has unfolded and what he’s been up to behind the wheel both on and off the events. With the Australian Rally Championship heading to Western Australia this weekend, we also briefly touch on th...

Australian champion, Harry Bates, drove at one of the most famous rallies of all at the weekend and Luke Whitten spoke with him about the experience. Bates is asked about the early discussions that brought this event together, how the preparation was, and just how he found competing at Rally de Portugal.  We also speak about the roads themselves in detail. Yes, they’re ’technical’, but what does t...

On Special Stage this week, we're joined by Australian rally star Taylor Gill to break down his season so far. We dive into his recent performances in Sweden and Croatia, and get all the details on his newly announced Italian drive, where he'll be behind the wheel of a Citroën. With the WRC action continuing this weekend at Rally de Portugal, we also discuss the highly anticipated return of fellow...

On this episode, the RallySport Magazine team give a firsthand account of the action at Rally Heartland – one of the toughest events in the country. Glenn Brinkman took the outright win in an iconic Ford Escort RS Cosworth, while Toby Price secured the state championship victory. It was a gruelling event that rewarded patience and reliability over flat-out speed that we see so often in today’s ral...

After a week away, Special Stage is back and it covers a vast array of events and topics.  The RallySport Magazine team unpack the Rally Queensland street stage, the Otago Rally and the upcoming WRC round on the Canary Islands. In addition, we talk about a recent S1 Rallysprint – an event type for the budget-conscious that is growing around the country. Special Stage is produced for the Motorsport...

Kris Meeke and Mads Ostberg are joined by Pasi Hagstrom, Toby Price, Alex Rullo and the New Zealand Rally Championship stars at this weekend’s 50th Anniversary Otago Rally. We take a look at the detailed book that’s been released and give an insight into RallySport Magazine’s VIP tour, which begins on Thursday evening. Then we review Wednesday’s testing action and give our thoughts on what we migh...

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...

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 Austr...

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 ar...

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...

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...

On this episode of Special Stage, Luke Whitten sits down with Australian Rally Championship Manager Adrian Coppin to break down the major news surrounding the series' new broadcast deal. With a move to Fox Sports and Kayo officially locked in for 2026, we discuss what this means for the sport's visibility and for the fans watching from home. We also dive into the revised event formats, including t...

On this episode of Special Stage, we discuss the impressive feats of Taylor Gill and Daniel Brkic at Rally Sweden, where they finished fourth in the WRC2 category. Does this result give them a better chance to lock in more WRC rallies? And what are the odds of an Aussie entry later in the year? We also shift gears to talk about tarmac rallying – specifically the Mt Buller Sprint – and dive into th...

The first episode of 2026 is here, and Luke and Peter Whitten are back to kick off the new season with a wide-ranging rally chat. They unpack Hayden Paddon’s Monte Carlo performance, look ahead to WRC Sweden with expectations for Taylor Gill, and discuss event promotion and the new street stage in Queensland. Listeners also get a behind-the-scenes insight into the Otago Rally book project, and que...

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 improv...

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 i...

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 b...

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 s...

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 —...

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 o...