🏆 Championship Wrap — Ogier Takes the Crown

• Heading into Rally Saudi Arabia the championship was unbelievably tight: Elfyn Evans led on 272 points, just 3 points ahead of Ogier (269). Meanwhile Kalle Rovanperä trailed on 248 — all three in contention for the title. 

• Despite competing as a “part-time” driver Ogier had claimed six wins from ten starts this season — showing that when he raced, he raced to win. 

• With his performance in Saudi Arabia, Ogier sealed the championship, adding another world title to his legend — proving once again that race-craft, experience and opportunism win big when it counts.
  
  Image: Toyota Gazoo Racing / WRC

The Saudi Showdown — What Went Down in Jeddah / Desert Gravel

• This year’s WRC finale: the inaugural Rally Saudi Arabia. A brand-new event on the calendar, hosted around Jeddah, combining super-special asphalt with punishing desert gravel, volcanic rock, sand, and high-temperature conditions. 

• The weekend was chaotic. Early on, Adrien Fourmaux led the rally — but a one-minute penalty for checking in early to a service zone dropped him from contention. 

• Title contenders suffered issues: punctures, rough terrain and the unpredictability of a brand-new rally made things brutal. 

• In those conditions, Ogier stayed composed. A strong finish gave him a narrow edge in the provisional standings — and ultimately the championship. Remarkably, he managed this despite missing several rounds this season. 

Broader 2025 Season Summary & What It Says About WRC Right Now

• The 2025 championship showed a contrast of styles: Evans prioritised consistency — finishing high, staying out of trouble; Ogier struck gold when he raced, with fewer events but many wins. 

• The addition of Saudi Arabia as the season finale — first time ever — emphasises how WRC is expanding its geographic footprint into new regions and terrains. 

• With his “part-time” schedule yet maximum efficiency, Ogier reinforces his status as one of the most clutch, intelligent drivers in WRC history. The win underlines a truth: that rally is as much about brains, strategy and calm under pressure, as raw speed.

What It Means — For Fans, For WRC, For Next Year

• For fans: this season proves unpredictability remains alive in WRC. A driver who doesn’t contest every rally – but picks when to attack – can still win the championship. That keeps the sport open, exciting, and tactical.

• For WRC: the success of a Middle-East finale (new gravel, new conditions, new challenge) bodes well — it opens the door to more global, diverse events beyond traditional European strongholds.

• For next season: expect more drivers to think strategically – balancing reliability vs selective domination. And expect other rallies trying to replicate Saudi’s “finale-drama” vibe to keep the championship fight open until the final metre.

WRC News
September 2025

The world stage of rallying saw drama and big shifts during Rally Chile, held in early September. Sébastien Ogier produced an irresistible comeback, winning multiple stages, overtaking Elfyn Evans, and seizing control of the rally's narrative. 

One of the most surprising headlines came off the track: Kalle Rovanperä, two-time world champion and one of WRC’s rising stars, announced his decision to exit rallying at the end of 2025 and transition into single-seater racing. An unexpected twist that’s sent shockwaves through the paddock. 

In other news, Hyundai Motorsport confirmed it will enter two national rallies in preparation for the upcoming Central European Rally (returning to asphalt), while also ending its use of Ott Tänak for manufacturer points in the season’s final three events. 

Behind the scenes, the FIA announced a tender to find a new promoter for the WRC, potentially replacing the long‐standing partnership with Red Bull and KW25. This move could reshape how the championship is marketed and delivered in coming seasons. 

BRC & Local Rally News
September 2025

September was a headline month for British rallying, especially at Rali Ceredigion (5–7 Sept). Jon Armstrong, alongside co-driver Shane Byrne, clinched their first British Rally Championship (BRC) win and also took top honours in the European Rally Championship (ERC). Armstrong held a strong lead from SS2 right through to the finish, writing a memorable chapter in M-Sport’s 1–2 result.

The BRC title race tightened up after the rally. William Creighton and Meirion Evans both hauled in crucial points, keeping the championship fight alive as the season heads toward the final round.

Elsewhere in modern British rallying, Trackrod Rally Yorkshire (late September) drew nearly 170 competitors, showing the strength of grassroots motorsport in the region.

And up in Scotland, David Bogie clinched the 2025 Scottish Rally Championship, winning 4 out of 5 events. A record-tying seventh title for the veteran driver.

February

February’s Rally Action: Thrills, Spills & High-Octane Battles in the UK & WRC

February was a month packed with adrenaline-fueled rally action, both on home soil and the world stage. From the frozen forests of Sweden to the fast-paced tarmac of East Yorkshire, rally fans were treated to breathtaking battles, dramatic moments, and unforgettable performances.

WRC: Evans Triumphs in Sweden, Leading the Championship

The 2025 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) continued with Rally Sweden, where the world’s best drivers tackled snow and ice at mind-blowing speeds.

Elfyn Evans, alongside co-driver Scott Martin, clinched a thrilling victory for Toyota Gazoo Racing, finishing with a total time of 2:33:39.2.

This win propels Evans to the top of the championship standings with 61 points.

Takamoto Katsuta and co-driver Aaron Johnston, also representing Toyota Gazoo Racing, secured second place, trailing by just 3.8 seconds.

Thierry Neuville and co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe of Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT completed the podium, finishing 11.9 seconds behind Evans.

The championship standings are shaping up to be one of the closest in years, with multiple drivers in the hunt heading into next month’s Rally Kenya.

UK Rally Scene: East Riding Stages Brings Tarmac Thrills

Back in the UK, rally action was in full swing with the East Riding Stages Rally delivering a fast and furious spectacle. Held in East Yorkshire, this popular tarmac rally saw competitors take on tight, technical roads at blistering speeds.

Fans lined the streets of Beverley, where the ceremonial start created an electric atmosphere before the crews headed out to tackle the challenging stages. As expected, the rally produced some thrilling battles, with some of the UK’s top tarmac specialists going head-to-head for victory. While the final results came down to the wire, the East Riding Stages once again proved why it has become a must-watch event on the British rally calendar.

In the East Riding Stages Rally, held on 23 February 2025, William Creighton and co-driver Liam Regan secured a commanding victory in their Toyota GR Yaris Rally2.

What’s Next?

Looking ahead, March promises even more rally action as the WRC heads to Safari Rally Kenya and UK rallying continues with key national events. With momentum building in both championships, it’s shaping up to be an unforgettable season.

Stay tuned to RallyLife for all the latest updates, results, and behind-the-scenes action!