Škoda New Zealand rally team
Partnering with Ben Hunt Motorsport
Škoda has been involved in motorsport since 1901, winning titles all around the world in a range of vehicles. Škoda New Zealand is proudly supporting this global passion by partnering with local team - Ben Hunt Motorsport.
As we enter our third year partnering with Ben and co-driver Tony, we’re excited to introduce a new look Fabia R5 to the track.
A tribute to fallen friends
It was a bittersweet start to New Zealand’s 2024 Rally Championship season as competitors paid tribute to fellow rally competitors, Brooklyn Horan and Tyson Jemmett, who tragically lost their lives in a freak accident while contesting a club event earlier this year. The Škoda New Zealand Rally team honoured the pair with a unique livery for the first event in Otago, paying homage to Horan’s distinctive gold livery.
Škoda Rally team wins first race of the year
Ben Hunt has kicked off the motorsport rally season with a spectacular victory in the first race at the Otago Rally. Demonstrating exceptional skill and determination, Hunt navigated the challenging course with precision, securing a well-deserved win. Stay tuned for what promises to be an exhilarating rally season!
Škoda Rally Team Clinches 2024 NZ Rally Championship
12 November 2024
Ben Hunt has triumphed as the 2024 New Zealand Rally Champion, securing his third career title, his first since 2019 and the first New Zealand Rally Championship for Škoda
Škoda NZ Rally Team secure lead in NZ Championship
17 September 2024
Škoda New Zealand Rally Team driver, Ben Hunt is thrilled to be leading the New Zealand Rally Championship after a Palmerston North’s Daybreaker rally event, which tests teams with night stages and technical roads.
Ben Hunt closes gap on New Zealand Rally Championship
25 June 2024
After a break of 20 years the Rally of Southland returned to the New Zealand Rally Championship last weekend as the Southern Lights Rally – the world’s southernmost championship event.
Podium Finish for Ben Hunt in Rally of South Canterbury
It was third place by the narrowest of margins for Ben Hunt and the Škoda New Zealand Rally Team in the Rally of South Canterbury this weekend. Despite missing out on a higher finishing by just 0.3 seconds, Ben Hunt is very happy overall with his and the Škoda Fabia R5’s performance in South Canterbury.
Škoda claims third place in Rally of Otago.
The New Zealand 2024 Rally Championship began bittersweetly this weekend at the world-renowned Otago Rally. Competitors remembered Brooklyn Horan and Tyson Jemmett, who tragically lost their lives in a freak accident during a club event. The Škoda New Zealand Rally team paid homage with a unique livery, honoring Horan’s distinctive gold design.
ŠNZ Rally Team third in New Zealand Rally Championship
16 October 2023
Škoda New Zealand Rally Team and driver, Ben Hunt, have concluded the 2023 New Zealand Rally Championship in third place after a season of very close competition against some of the world’s best drivers.
Frustrating Fifth for Hunt at Daybreaker Rally
25 September 2023
The weekend’s Daybreaker Rally in Manawatu was frustrating for Škoda New Zealand Rally Team and driver, Ben Hunt. The Škoda Fabia R5 has been running well all year with rally wins at Maramarua and Nelson but an unfortunate brake master cylinder failure left Hunt and co-driver, Tony Rawstorn with no brakes in Special Stage 4.
Cruel luck ends Ben Hunt's Rally of South Canterbury.
22 June 2023
Ben Hunt and the Škoda New Zealand Rally Team suffered a cruel setback in the Rally of South Canterbury this weekend, despite maintaining a commanding lead throughout most of the event.
Ben Hunt flies into second in Whangārei
16 May 2023
Škoda New Zealand Rally Team driver Ben Hunt was in his element during a shortened International Rally of Whangārei, claiming the second step on the podium this weekend.
Škoda claims third place in Rally of Otago
6 April 2023
New Zealand's 2023 Rally Championship season kicked off this weekend with the world-renowned Otago Rally. The Rally of Otago presents significant challenges for drivers and teams, with varied conditions making setup and composure critical.
Škoda NZ Rally Team claim second in Rally Championship
10 October 2022
The Škoda New Zealand Rally Team have secured second place in the New Zealand Rally Championship with Ben Hunt and co-driver Tony Rawstorn piloting the Škoda FABIA R5 Rally car at the weekend’s Rally of New Zealand.
Škoda New Zealand first rally win in Hawke's Bay
25 July 2022
The Škoda New Zealand rally team have taken their first event win in the 2022 New Zealand Rally Championship at the weekend’s rally of Hawke's Bay.
A win for Škoda in the far north...
05 July 2022
The Rally of the Far North couldn’t have started better for Ben Hunt and Co-Driver, Tony Rawstorn in the Škoda New Zealand supported Fabia R5. The pair were fastest in the first stage of the rally, topping the time sheets 2.9 seconds over Supercar ace and talented rally driver, Shane van Gisbergen.
Ben Hunt' South Canterbury charge
22 June 2022
It’s been another strong second place finish for Ben Hunt in his new Škoda Fabia R5 rally car at the weekend’s Rally of South Canterbury.
Another podium for Ben Hunt and Škoda New Zealand
16 May 2022
It’s been yet another outstanding performance for Ben Hunt in his Škoda New Zealand backed Fabia R5 rally car, having placed second overall at the fast and flowing Rally of Whangārei this weekend.
Ben Hunt second on debut in the Fabia R5
11 April 2022
Škoda New Zealand is celebrating a strong debut finish for Ben Hunt in his new Škoda Fabia R5 rally car, having placed second overall at the gruelling Rally of Otago this weekend.