New Zealanders ready for first Australian chance

Experienced New Zealand pairing Graham Ferguson and Ross Moody will race on Australian shores for the first time at the Forest Rally.

Driving a 1972 Ford Capri in the ARC Classic 2WD Cup, the pairing will get to tackle the famous ball bearing surface of Western Australia’s unique stages.

Ferguson and Moody’s partnership started more than a decade ago, with the pair being very successful in their native New Zealand. Class victories at the Westland, Wyndham, Spring and a regular in the famed Otago Rallies make this partnership a formidable one driving a Ford Escort RS1800 BDA Mark 2.

“This is our first international event and are extremely excited to have a run in WA,” Moody said.

“Graham and I have been together about 10 years now and predominantly in the same MK2 BDA RS1800 Escort. We also run another MK2 with a Rover V8.

“Our tenure together has had several class wins and a few overall rally wins. We are fairly laid back and love the camaraderie and always keen for a laugh and a beer after a days competition.”

The laid-back duo will be a welcome addition to the Forest Rally field by joining outright contender and fellow New Zealander Hayden Paddon alongside previous JWRC title winner Tom Kristensson, plus Irishman Frank Kelly.

View the full entry list here. 

The Forest Rally marks Round 2 of the 2025 EROAD Australian Rally Championship is set to be hosted in the towns of Busselton and Nannup on 23-25 May.