The 2025 rally season saw the debut of an entirely new event on the Western Australian calendar — the Warren River Rally, held in the scenic forests surrounding Pemberton. For competitors and fans alike, it was an event marked by slippery stages, unpredictable weather, and some hard-fought performances across both the Clubman and State Championship fields.
The event represented a fresh challenge for everyone involved. The roads hadn’t seen rally action for at least forty years, by most accounts. With the weather threatening to turn the gravel into mud, no one quite knew what to expect in early August.
Setting the Scene: Two Teams, New Pairings
The day began with blue skies breaking through after a bout of heavy rain. The service park buzzed with energy as teams set up tents and tools, ready to take on the unknown.
For our team, two cars were entered. Damian, with Glen in the co-driver’s seat, reunited after their earlier partnership at the Rally of the Heartland. Nearby, Patrick prepared his blue Subaru Impreza, this time with Steve Vass stepping in as co-driver. Both pairings were relatively new combinations, but morale was high and expectations were optimistic.
For Damian, it was a milestone — his first-ever State Championship rally in the WRX, and the first time he’d use pace notes. That alone would have made the rally memorable, even without the added complexity of a brand-new set of stages.
Rain, Mud, and a Slippery Start
No sooner had the team finished setting up than the skies opened again. Rain poured down in sheets, and it quickly became clear that the day would be defined by weather. The shifting mix of showers and sunshine continued throughout the Warren River rally, keeping drivers on edge and mechanics busy.
A modest but competitive field of 35 cars took to the start line. The event’s structure featured three stages repeated multiple times: Clubman competitors faced six stages totaling around 70 kilometers, while State Championship teams tackled nine stages covering just over 100 kilometers.
If there was one thing everyone could agree on from the start, it was this — the Warren River rally was going to be slippery!
Early Struggles and Adjustments
After the first trio of stages, cars returned to service for repairs, adjustments, and the occasional morale boost. Damian and Glen were still finding their rhythm. The combination of a new car setup, unfamiliar pace notes, and treacherous road conditions made for a cautious start. As the kilometers rolled by they began to adapt, learning the car’s behavior on wet gravel and tightening their communication inside the cockpit.
Patrick and Steve faced their own challenges. Their Impreza’s wheel alignment was slightly off, making high-speed sections twitchy and unpredictable. The combination of fast, flowing corners and slick mud demanded full concentration — and steady nerves. Despite the issues, both cars remained in the running as the Warren River rally entered its second loop.
Clubman Cup: Newcomers Shine in Tough Conditions
For the two-wheel-drive Clubman competitors, the second group of stages would be their last of the day. With the rain worsening and roads breaking up, the final times reflected not just speed but survival and precision.
Patrick and Steve capped off their run with a fourth-place finish, a strong result considering the tricky conditions and mechanical challenges. Even better, Patrick secured the Clubman Rookie Driver award for both the event and the year — a fitting reward for an impressive debut season.
Rob Russell and Liam Turton guided their Toyota Corolla to a solid third place, maintaining their lead in the Clubman Cup Series standings. While their position looked comfortable, they would still need to contest the 2025 Experts Cup rally to officially clinch the title.
Second place went to Steve Champion and Alex Salter, also in a Toyota Corolla. It was Nigel Anderson and Chris Parish in their Nissan Sunny who stole the spotlight, claiming back-to-back wins. Their victory not only solidified their late-season momentum but also kept them mathematically in contention for the overall Clubman Cup title.
State Championship: The Battle Intensifies
While the Clubman crews wrapped up their events, the State Championship competitors returned to the service park for a brief respite before heading into the night for their final three stages of the Warren River rally.
Conditions had deteriorated further. Heavy rain, thick mud, and fading light combined to make the last leg a true test of endurance. Visibility dropped, braking distances increased, and every corner became a potential hazard. Yet, amid the chaos, remarkable performances emerged.
In the State Two-Wheel-Drive Championship, only four of the nine starters managed to finish — a testament to how punishing the conditions had become. Kiel Douglas and Ross Burton powered their way to third place, also earning the “Best Aural experience” award for their spirited drive.
Mike Gigney and Steve Crawford brought their Mitsubishi Lancer home in second, while the top spot — both for the rally and the overall two-wheel-drive championship — went to Dave Thomas and Niamh Nairn in their turbocharged Subaru BRZ. Their consistent pace throughout the season paid off, and their Warren River rally victory sealed their State 2WD title for 2025.
The Outright Showdown: Yaris vs. Evo
When it came to the outright State Championship standings, the action at the top was as fierce as ever. For Damian and Glen, things began to click in the final stages. After a cautious start, they found their rhythm and finished a respectable 14th overall. An encouraging result in their first state-level outing together.
In fifth place, Tim Hiles and Noah Humble steered their Legacy RS to a solid performance, while Pete Rullo and Jimmy Marquette muscled their Škoda Fabia R5 into fourth, continuing their streak of strong results.
The production car honors went to Tom Loughton and Michael Wood in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, who claimed third overall and stood proudly on the podium.
Just ahead of them, Craig Rando and Scott Beckwith continued their consistent season in the Toyota Yaris AP4, finishing second. Once again, it was Dylan King and Lee Tierney — also in a Yaris AP4 — who dominated the rally, taking first place outright. They had well and truly found their feet with the left hand drive machine. The result reinforcing their credentials as title favorites heading into the final event of the year.
A Championship Race Down to the Wire
The results at Pemberton set the stage for a thrilling finale. The Warren River Rally created a potential battle for the overall championship, with King/Tierney and Rando/Beckwith leading the pack. Other teams such as Rullo/Marquet were also a mathematical chance within striking distance of the top prize.
Meanwhile, the Clubman Cup championship would also go down to the wire. Russell and Anderson the clear leaders. Briccocoli and Champion were also well capable of claiming podium spots depending on how the Experts Cup Rally in Collie played out. The excitement was already building — and the teams had only a few short weeks to prepare.
Reflections on a Successful Debut
Despite the weather challenges and muddy chaos, the inaugural Warren River Rally was widely hailed as a success. The new stages offered a mix of fast, flowing sections and technical forest roads, and the region of Pemberton provided a stunning backdrop for competitors and spectators alike.
For our team, it was a day of valuable experience, mechanical resilience, and personal milestones. Damian completed his first state championship event with a finish, Patrick closed out his rookie season with an award, and both cars made it back to service in one piece — no small feat given the conditions.
As the sun finally set over the rain-soaked service park, teams reflected on a day that had tested every aspect of preparation and teamwork. The Warren River Rally had proven that even in its first year, it could deliver everything rallying fans love: unpredictable weather, fierce competition, and stories of perseverance.
Leave A Response