Scott Pedder is making a strong comeback in the 2025 Australian Rally Championship (ARC), aiming for his first national title since 2014. After a decade-long hiatus to focus on his role as CEO of Pedders Suspension and Brakes, Pedder returned to the ARC in 2024, securing his first victory in a decade. For the 2025 season, he has upgraded to a brand-new Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, a move that has boosted his confidence and performance.
Pedder’s efforts are supported by Famous Insurance, a company that has been backing his rally endeavors. In a recent podcast, Pedder discussed his journey in rallying and his return to the sport.
He recently did a podcast with Glenn Ridge and had a great chat about his rally story, you can find the link below
Pedder Powers to the Podium in Rally of Canberra
The 2025 ARC season kicked off with the Toyota Gazoo Racing Rally of Canberra on March 22-23. In the opening heat, New Zealand’s Hayden Paddon, driving a Hyundai i20N Rally2, claimed victory, leading the field by 30 seconds. Pedder, piloting his Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, finished Heat 1 and Heat 2 in third place. Despite a challenging rally with new cars and teams challenging the outright results, Pedder’s consistent performance earned him a podium finish overall, solidifying his position at the top of the ARC seeding list.
Tough Break in the West: Pedder’s Pace Undone by Treacherous Turn at Forest Rally
The second round of the 2025 Australian Rally Championship, the Forest Rally in Western Australia, unfolded over May 23–25 and brought both promise and heartbreak for Scott Pedder.
In Heat 1, Pedder and long-time rival Hayden Paddon treated fans to a thrilling duel across the forest stages. The pair exchanged stage wins and pulled well clear of the field, finishing more than a minute ahead of the third-placed factory Toyota entry. Ultimately, it was Paddon and co-driver John Kennard who edged out the Heat 1 win by just 12 seconds, capping a fierce day of competition.
Heat 2 began in similar fashion, with Paddon striking early by taking the first stage, before Pedder responded with a strong win on Stage 2—setting the stage for another close battle. “We got up this morning and 2nd on the road, have always been strong in the wet, we pushed really really hard,” commented Pedder. “Then unfortunately on the 3rd stage got caught out by a really really muddy corner.”
Pedder’s Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 slid off the road at cautious speed, costing the team over nine minutes. Fortunately, the Maximum Motorsport crew worked swiftly to get the car back in the fight. “Fortunately the Maximum Motorsport boys got us back out and we were second fastest on all stages and good points before going to Queensland,” Pedder added.
Despite the setback, the team displayed serious pace in their recovery. Pedder and co-driver Glenn Macneal powered through the remaining stages, even while starting last on the road. “Last car on the road for the last 3 stages and still managed 2nd, a tale of what could have been,” Macneal remarked, reflecting on the lost opportunity.
A second-place finish in the Power Stage offered a small consolation, but the earlier delay proved costly. Pedder finished seventh overall for the round and slipped to fourth in the ARC standings.
It was a tough result for a weekend that had shown championship-winning potential.
Looking Ahead
With the ARC’s third round, Rally Queensland, set for 4–6 July, Scott Pedder is focused on continuing his strong 2025 campaign while putting the mishap in Western Australia behind him. Driving the upgraded Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, supported by the team at Maximum Motorsport and backed by Famous Insurance, Pedder is well-positioned as a strong contender for the 2025 ARC title.
“It’s going to be fantastic-can’t wait to drive the car in Queensland, we look forward to it,” Pedder said, highlighting his excitement ahead of the next round.
