Canadian Rally Championship

Last updated
Canadian Rally Championship
CanadianRallyChampionshipLogo.png
Category Rallying
Country Canada
Inaugural season1957
ClassesO4WD, P4WD, O2WD, P2WD
Drivers' champion Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jean-Sébastian Besner
Co-Drivers' champion Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Alan Ockwell
Makes' champion Ford
Official website www.carsrally.ca
Motorsport current event.svg Current season
Bryan Maplethorpe, in his open class 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX rally car at the 2007 Kananaskis Rally in Alberta, Canada Kananaskis rally 2007.jpg
Bryan Maplethorpe, in his open class 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX rally car at the 2007 Kananaskis Rally in Alberta, Canada

The Canadian Rally Championship is an automobile rallying championship sanctioned by the Canadian Association of RallySport (CARS) held since 1957 in Canada. The Canadian Rally Championship follows a 2 class format; 2-Wheel Drive, 4/All-Wheel Drive.

Contents

Canadian rallying history

The Canadian Rally Championship (CRC) is Canada's only national rallying series. 2007 marked the 50th anniversary of the Canadian Rally Championship, making it the longest running motorsport series in Canada. It has been run continuously since 1957 when Leslie Chelminski and Les Stanley from Montreal shared the very first national rally title in a factory-prepared Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia. In the early days, the rally championship was based on a navigational (also called time-speed-distance or TSD) rally series which, at times, had as many as twenty events in the series. The most notable Canadian car rallies in those days were the Canadian Winter Rally and the Shell 4000. Some Rally champions from the TSD era include Art Dempsey, Bill Silvera, and Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame inductees John Bird, Paul S. Manson, and Bruce D. Simpson.

As the sport gradually changed and adopted the European "stage" format, performance rallying became part of the Canadian motorsport picture. As opposed to TSD rallies, where competitors are required to follow the organizer's schedule, travel below posted speed limits and otherwise adhere to the rules of the public roads they are traveling on, performance rallies incorporate high speed "special stages" on roads closed to vehicles other than the rally cars, which must be specially prepared with full safety equipment. In 1973, the Canadian Rally Championship became based solely on stage rallies, including the Rally of the Tall Pines, which is still the premier event, and is held in November every year.

2025 CRC Season

The 2025 Canadian Rally Championship is a season of rally racing sanctioned by the Canadian Association of Rallysport (CARS). The championship features a calendar of eight events across Canada, held on surfaces including gravel, snow, and ice. The season's competition includes various vehicle classes, such as Open 4WD, Production 4WD, Open 2WD, and Production 2WD.

Calendar

2025 Event Calendar

Canada location map 2.svg
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A map showing the locations of the rallies in the 2025 championship. Event headquarters are marked with black dots.
RoundStart dateFinish date Rally LocationClubSurface Stages Distance
131 January01 February Flag of Quebec.svg Rally Perce-Neige of Maniwaki Maniwaki, QuebecCASLLSnow / Ice18193.84 km
229 May31 May Flag of British Columbia.svg Pacific Forest Rally Merritt, British ColumbiaWCRAGravel10165.40 km
327 June29 June Flag of Quebec.svg International Rallye Baie des Chaleurs New Richmond, QuebecCRABGravel14209.13 km
405 September07 September Flag of Quebec.svg Rallye Defi Petite Nation Montpellier, QuebecCADOGravel20228 km
515 May18 May Flag of British Columbia.svg Rocky Mountain Rally Invermere, British ColumbiaCSCCGravel12165.38 km
631 October02 November Flag of Quebec.svg Rallye de Charlevoix La Malbaie, QuebecCASLLGravel19202.63 km
721 November22 November Flag of Ontario.svg Rally of the Tall Pines Bancroft, OntarioMLRCGravel15170.72 km
807 December09 December Flag of British Columbia.svg Big White Winter Rally Kelowna, British ColumbiaWCRASnow / Ice12190.65 km

Results and standings

Season summary

RoundEventWinning driverWinning co-driverWinning carWinning time
1 Flag of Quebec.svg Rally Perce-Neige of Maniwaki Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jean-Sébastian Besner Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Yvan Joyal Flag of the United States.svg Ford Fiesta R5 1:52:04.1
2 Flag of British Columbia.svg Pacific Forest Rally Flag of Mexico.svg Ricardo Cordero Flag of Mexico.svg Marco Hernandez Flag of France.svg Citroën C3 Rally2 1:33:17.2
3 Flag of Quebec.svg International Rallye Baie des Chaleurs Flag of Sweden.svg Calle Carlberg Flag of Sweden.svg Torbjörn Carlberg Flag of France.svg Peugeot 208 Rally4 2:11:57.0
4 Flag of Quebec.svg Rallye Defi Petite Nation
5 Flag of British Columbia.svg Rocky Mountain Rally
6 Flag of Quebec.svg Rallye de Charlevoix
7 Flag of Ontario.svg Rally of the Tall Pines
8 Flag of British Columbia.svg Big White Winter Rally

2025 Drivers' Championship Standings

Each driver earns 1 point for starting a rally and 1 additional point for finishing it. Position-based points are awarded according to standard CRC regulations.

Overall Standing

Pos.DriverRPN
Flag of Quebec.svg
PFR
Flag of British Columbia.svg
BDC
Flag of Quebec.svg
DPN
Flag of Quebec.svg
RMR
Flag of British Columbia.svg
RDC
Flag of Quebec.svg
RTP
Flag of Ontario.svg
BWR
Flag of British Columbia.svg
Points
1 Flag of Mexico.svg Ricardo Cordero215+2120+274+245
2 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jean-Sébastian Besner120+2410+234
3 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Simon Vincent312+2215+231
4 Flag of Sweden.svg Calle Carlberg120+222
4 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Mikael Arsenault101+2110+2215+222
6 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jason Bailey83+2312+219
7 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg André LeblancRet0+1312+215
8 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Nicolas Laverdière110+258+212
8 Flag of Serbia.svg Boris Djordjevic410+212
8 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Trevor Pougnet410+212

2WD Standing

Pos.DriverRPN
Flag of Quebec.svg
PFR
Flag of British Columbia.svg
BDC
Flag of Quebec.svg
DPN
Flag of Quebec.svg
RMR
Flag of British Columbia.svg
RDC
Flag of Quebec.svg
RTP
Flag of Ontario.svg
BWR
Flag of British Columbia.svg
Points
1 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Mikael Arsenault120+2312+2215+253
2 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Nicolas Laverdière215+2410+229
3 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Aran Cook120+222
3 Flag of France.svg Maxime Galpin410+258+222
3 Flag of Sweden.svg Calle Carlberg120+222
6 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Kornelius Rempel215+217
7 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Mathieu Royer58+274+216
8 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Charles L'Estage312+2Ret0+115
8 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg André LeblancRet0+1312+212
10 Flag of Ireland.svg Bryan McCarthy410+212

2025 Co-Drivers' Championship Standings

Points for co-drivers are awarded using the same system as the drivers' championship.

Overall Standing

Pos.Co-DriverRPN
Flag of Quebec.svg
PFR
Flag of British Columbia.svg
BDC
Flag of Quebec.svg
DPN
Flag of Quebec.svg
RMR
Flag of British Columbia.svg
RDC
Flag of Quebec.svg
RTP
Flag of Ontario.svg
BWR
Flag of British Columbia.svg
Points
1 Flag of Mexico.svg Marco Hernandez215+2120+274+245
2 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Hubert Gaudreau312+2215+231
3 Flag of Sweden.svg Torbjorn Carlberg120+222
3 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Layla Zigby101+2110+2215+222
3 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Yvan Joyal120+222
6 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg René LeblancRet0+1312+215
7 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Shayne Peterson312+214
8 Flag of France.svg Nicolas Fouteret110+258+212
8 Flag of North Macedonia.svg Stefan Trajkov410+212
8 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Philippe Poirier410+212

2WD Standing

Pos.DriverRPN
Flag of Quebec.svg
PFR
Flag of British Columbia.svg
BDC
Flag of Quebec.svg
DPN
Flag of Quebec.svg
RMR
Flag of British Columbia.svg
RDC
Flag of Quebec.svg
RTP
Flag of Ontario.svg
BWR
Flag of British Columbia.svg
Points
1 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Layla Zigby120+2312+2215+253
2 Flag of France.svg Nicolas Fouteret215+2410+229
3 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Rob Jackett120+222
3 Flag of Sweden.svg Torbjorn Carlberg120+222
5 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Betsy Nguyen215+217
6 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Alyssa Voyzelle-Montminy58+274+216
7 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Juliette L'Estage312+2Ret0+115
7 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg René LeblancRet0+1312+212
9 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Charles Bolger410+212
9 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Olivier Landreville410+222

2025 Manufacturers' Championship Standings

Points for the Manufacturers' Championship are awarded based on the best-placed entry for each manufacturer at each event, using the standard Canadian Rally Championship points system.

Overall Standing

Pos.ManufacturerRPN
Flag of Quebec.svg
PFR
Flag of British Columbia.svg
BDC
Flag of Quebec.svg
DPN
Flag of Quebec.svg
RMR
Flag of British Columbia.svg
RDC
Flag of Quebec.svg
RTP
Flag of Ontario.svg
BWR
Flag of British Columbia.svg
Points
1 Flag of the United States.svg Ford 12031231244
2 Flag of France.svg Citroën 2151207439
3 Flag of Japan.svg Subaru 3122156633
4 Flag of France.svg Peugeot 10111012021
5 Flag of Japan.svg Mitsubishi 16051010
6 Flag of Japan.svg Toyota 833
7 Flag of Japan.svg Honda 921502

2WD Standing

Pos.ManufacturerRPN
Flag of Quebec.svg
PFR
Flag of British Columbia.svg
BDC
Flag of Quebec.svg
DPN
Flag of Quebec.svg
RMR
Flag of British Columbia.svg
RDC
Flag of Quebec.svg
RTP
Flag of Ontario.svg
BWR
Flag of British Columbia.svg
Points
1 Flag of France.svg Peugeot 12031212052
2 Flag of the United States.svg Ford 215Ret031227
3 Flag of Japan.svg Honda 2156621
4 Flag of Japan.svg Toyota 12020
5 Flag of Japan.svg Nissan 587412
6 Flag of Germany.svg Volkswagen 41010
7 Flag of Japan.svg Acura 588

2025 Novice Championship Standings

The Novice Cup in the Canadian Rally Championship is awarded to eligible new drivers who have competed in fewer than six performance rallies before the start of the season. Points are awarded based on a different system as the main drivers' championship, 9 points = 1st, 6 points = 2nd, 4 points = 3rd, 3 point = 4th, 2 points = 5th and 1 points = 6th. Only novice drivers are ranked in this category, and the top-placed novice at each event earns points from their overall position in the rally.


Pos.ManufacturerRPN
Flag of Quebec.svg
PFR
Flag of British Columbia.svg
BDC
Flag of Quebec.svg
DPN
Flag of Quebec.svg
RMR
Flag of British Columbia.svg
RDC
Flag of Quebec.svg
RTP
Flag of Ontario.svg
BWR
Flag of British Columbia.svg
Points
1 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Patrick Richard262612
2 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg David Gagné199
2 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Vincent Lalande19Ret09
2 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Aran Cook199
5 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Peter Frank266
6 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Charles L'Estage34Ret04
6 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Alexandre Laviolette344
6 Flag of Ireland.svg Bryan McCarthy344
9 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Frédéric Gagne433
9 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Johnny Summers433

2025 Ladies Cup Championship Standings

In the realm of the Canadian Rally Championship, the Ladies Cup represents a special recognition for women behind the wheel. Using a points system aligned with that of the novice category, female competitors collect scores based on how they place among other eligible participants. This class is designed to foster inclusion, encourage more women to take part in rallying, and highlight their ongoing contributions and competitive consistency throughout the series.


Pos.ManufacturerRPN
Flag of Quebec.svg
PFR
Flag of British Columbia.svg
BDC
Flag of Quebec.svg
DPN
Flag of Quebec.svg
RMR
Flag of British Columbia.svg
RDC
Flag of Quebec.svg
RTP
Flag of Ontario.svg
BWR
Flag of British Columbia.svg
Points
1 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Layla Zigby34341917
2 Flag of the United States.svg Michelle Miller19Ret09
2 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Naila Deen199
3 Flag of France.svg Leah Brisset26Ret06
3 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Betsy Nguyen266
3 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Marie France Desmarais TrépanierRet0266
3 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Karianne HubertRet0266
8 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Alyssa Voyzelle-Montminy61345
9 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Juliette L'Estage43Ret03
9 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Celine Pepperdine433


Statistiques

Champions

YearDriverCo-DriverMarque
1957Leslie ChelminskiLes Stanley Volkswagen
1958Leslie Chelminski
1959Art DempseyBill A. Silvera
1960Art DempseyBill A. Silvera
1961Bill A. Silvera
1962George A. MersonJohn C. Wilson
1963John Bird Volkswagen
1964John Bird Volkswagen
1965John Bird Volkswagen
1966Bruce Simpson Volvo
1967Klaus RossPaul S. Manson Datsun
1968Keith RonaldJohn Slade Volkswagen
1969Bruce SchmidtBetty Schmidt/Paul S. Manson Datsun
1970 Walter Boyce Doug Woods Datsun
1971 Walter Boyce Doug Woods Datsun
1972 Walter Boyce Doug Woods Datsun
1973 Walter Boyce Doug Woods Fiat
1974 Walter Boyce Doug Woods Toyota
1975Jean-Paul PerusseJohn Bellefleur Fiat
1976Jean-Paul PerusseJohn Bellefleur Fiat
1977Taisto HeinonenTom Burgess Toyota
1978Taisto HeinonenTom Burgess Toyota
1979Taisto HeinonenTom Burgess Toyota
1980Taisto HeinonenTom Burgess Toyota
1981Randy BlackBob Lee Toyota
1982Taisto HeinonenTom Burgess Toyota
1983Randy BlackTom Burgess Nissan
1984Tim BendleMary Crundwell Toyota
1985Tim BendleLouis Belanger Toyota
1986Bo SkowronnekTerry Epp Volvo
1987Alain BergeronMartin Headland Toyota
1988Alain BergeronRaymond Cadieux Toyota
1989Paul ChoiniereMartin Headland Audi
1990Tom McGeerTrish Sparrow Audi
1991Frank SpronglDan Sprongl Audi
1992Tom McGeerTrish Sparrow Audi
1993Tom McGeerTrish Sparrow Subaru
1994Frank SpronglDan Sprongl Audi
1995Frank SpronglMike Koch Audi
1996Carl MerrillYorgi Bittner Eagle
1997Frank SpronglDan Sprongl Audi
1998Frank SpronglDan Sprongl Audi
1999Frank SpronglDan Sprongl Audi
2000Tom McGeerMark Williams Subaru
2001Tom McGeerMark Williams Subaru
2002Patrick RichardIan McCurdy Subaru
2003Tom McGeerPhilip Erickson Subaru
2004Patrick Richard Nathalie Richard Subaru
2005Peter ThomsonRod Hendrickson Subaru
2006 Antoine L'Estage Ole Holter Hyundai
2007 Antoine L'Estage Nathalie Richard Hyundai
2008Patrick RichardAlan Ockwell Subaru
2009Patrick RichardAlan Ockwell Subaru
2010 Antoine L'Estage Nathalie Richard Mitsubishi
2011 Antoine L'Estage Nathalie Richard Mitsubishi
2012 Antoine L'Estage Nathalie Richard Mitsubishi
2013 Antoine L'Estage Nathalie Richard Mitsubishi
2014 Antoine L'Estage Alan Ockwell Mitsubishi
2015 Antoine L'Estage Alan Ockwell Subaru
2016 Antoine L'Estage Darren Garrod Subaru
2017 Antoine L'Estage Alan Ockwell Subaru
2018Karel CarréSamuel Joyal Subaru
2019Karel CarréSamuel Joyal Subaru
2021André LeblancRené Leblanc Subaru
2022Jerome MaillouxPhilippe Poirier Subaru
2023Jean-Sébastien BesnerYvan Joyal Ford
2024Jean-Sébastien BesnerAlan Ockwell Ford


Canadian Performance Rally Lifetime Standings

The following standings are based on an individual's placings in the first six overall positions on all Canadian Championship Performance Rallies from 1973 to 2024. There are 14 drivers who have attained Grand Master status (>2000 points)

DriverLifetime PointsCARS PointsCareer Wins
Antoine L'Estage 6930153756
Taisto Heinonen5580111040
Frank Sprongl5060107936
Tom McGeer4990105321
John Buffum 490077843
Patrick Richard416089422
Jean-Paul Perusse386078421
Walter Boyce292059312
Randy Black288057010
Jean-Sebastian Besner26306143
Sylvain Vincent25405711
Bo Skowronnek23905035
Carl Merril23503828
Bjorn Anderson21204206

Top 10 Canadian Rally Championship