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Skippy strikes as Bates steals ARC opener

Lewis Bates flys to victory

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: 24 March 2025

Lewis Bates has emerged victorious from a wild Australian Rally Championship opener at the Rally of Canberra.

Bates and co-driver Anthony McLoughlin entered the final day 30s adrift of Kiwi star Hayden Paddon, but things took a dramatic turn on Sunday.

Paddon was wiped out from the lead of the rally after hitting a kangaroo on the opening stage of Heat 2.

The damage from skippy saw Paddon forced to retire, while fellow Hyundai i20 Rally2 competitor Alex Rullo suffered terminal right rear damage from a separate incident.

As a result, consistency was the secret for Lewis Bates as he marched to a breakthrough home success despite not winning a single stage.

Claiming second overall for the event was Scott Pedder and Glen Macneall after the duo guided their Skoda Fabia Rally 2 to third on both days, while Harry Bates and Coral Taylor rounded out the podium after comfortably winning Heat 2.

Bates even revealed he had his own brush with the local wildlife.

“I am so happy. We’ve been trying to win this rally for seven years and being my home rally is extra special,” Lewis said.

“Having everyone come out to cheer us on was awesome. It was such a tough weekend and so happy to come out on top this weekend.

“Obviously others had their misfortunes. It was very unlucky for Hayden and John this morning, we were looking forward to a good battle with them today, but fortunately for us, luck was on our side this weekend and I am over the moon.

“We were very consistent and you create your own luck. What happened to Hayden and John this morning nothing can stop that, we actually hit a kangaroo as well but we just got lucky that it didn’t damage our car.

“We came here with a game plan and we executed it really well”

Josh Wiedman and KJ Miller claimed Production Cup honours ahead of the ARC 4WD Classic Cup winners Andrew Penny and Rhys Llewellyn.

Tony Sullens and Kylie Newell took ARC 2WD Cup with Jaidyn and Lucy Gluskie sneaking past Jackson and Damian Long to ARC Junior Cup victory.

ARC heads to Western Australia for the Forest Rally on May 22-25.

Image: Peter Norton Epic Sports Photography

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