Making their first-ever appearance at PFR, multiple-time Mexican rally champions Ricardo Cordero and Marco Hernández weren’t here just to experience the scenery—they came to win. And that’s exactly what they did.

Driving a Citroën C3 R5, Cordero navigated tricky dust conditions and a few dramatic moments to claim victory with a final time of 1:33:17.2.

“This rally was interesting. Since the draw—because I didn’t know about the dust being an issue, I chose second in order to see Bailey’s lines. Oh, big mistake! I couldn’t see…
On Saturday, we attacked… and for the final stage, I decided to push, and oh boy—we had one of the best stages of my life. What a stage!”

Despite unfamiliar terrain and a few mechanical hiccups, the duo showed their international speed and took home the overall win.

Simon Vincent: Subaru, Strategy & Success

Simon Vincent, with co-driver Hubert Gaudreau, returned to CRC competition with TEST Racing and wasted no time getting back into podium rhythm. Behind the wheel of a classic 1994 Subaru Impreza, they finished 2nd overall in 1:37:15.2, beating several newer FIA-spec machines.

“The tires suffered from the aggressive braking I now have. The next challenge is matching that braking with enough power.”

Vincent is now sits 2nd in the CRC standings.

Boris Djordjevic: Resilience on Display

After battling medical issues during the 2024 season, Boris Djordjevic returned to action with co-driver Stefan Trajkov and a last-minute switch to a Fiesta Rally3. After adjusting to the car and suffering a rear diff failure on Stage 3, they rebounded strong on Saturday, eventually climbing to 4th overall.

Leblanc³ Rallye: The Heart of Rally Spirit

Things were looking strong for the Leblanc³ Rallye Team—André and René Leblanc were 4th overall and leading 2WD… until Stage 8. They went a bit too hot over a crest, and R2T2 (Yes, that’s how they named their car) went into a double roll.

Miraculously, they still drove the car down the stage. Though the bodywork was battered, the mechanicals held up. The good news? Most of the damage is cosmetic (except the rear axle), and they’re already prepping for Rallye Baie-des-Chaleurs. The team hopes the shipping gods cooperate in time!

Rose & Sarah: Never give up

Rose Oakhill and co-driver Sarah Temporale showed what rally is truly about, teamwork, perseverance, and community. Their Pacific Forest Rally experience took a turn after a strong start, with dust and darkness catching them out on a tricky right-hander.

The car suffered cosmetic and drivetrain damage, but the story didn’t end there. Thanks to the rally community, including Azam Deen, Aaron Neumann & Graham Burnley, Simon Vincent’s team, and Eric Pehota—they were able to get the car back together and rejoin the event. They completed the final four stages with determination and heart.

“This is rally, and we’re proud to be part of it. 💙”

Rempel & Nguyen: Adapting, Pushing, Thriving

Kornelius Rempel and Betsy Nguyen tackled PFR 2025 in their trusty Honda Civic, facing a tough but rewarding challenge. From dusty night stages to bent suspension, it was a weekend full of learning—and results.

After hitting a boulder in SS5 and limping through SS6 with a bent control arm, their crew—Scott and Jesse Goncalves—pulled off a miracle repair in just 20 minutes of service. Betsy Nguyen played a key role in pace note development and overall team focus, helping Kornelius shave minutes off his times compared to last year.

“Thank you to the volunteers for supporting our passion!
And thank you to @bigcountrycustoms and @posthasteperformance for helping me get the car to perform at its best.”

A gritty drive and smart teamwork helped them climb to 2nd place in O2WD, a result well-earned.

Aran Cook & Rob Jackett: Old-School Spirit, Modern Pace

First-time PFR competitor Aran Cook, with co-driver Rob Jackett, brought their 1987 car through dust, darkness, and drama to a strong 2WD finish.

From a dead battery before Park Exposé to crawling through blind night stages at 40 km/h, and battling a fuel leak and cracked exhaust, their rally was anything but smooth.

But the pair pushed hard on Saturday, even catching AWD cars in the final stages, and came away surprised at just how competitive their weekend turned out.

“All in all, an amazing event,” said Cook. “Huge thanks to all the volunteers and organizers!”

Final Standings

Check all the results at https://rallybc.ca/pacificforestrally.ca/results/2025/event1/summaries/overall.html

or even more statistics at https://sneakattackrally.com/ARACombinerThing/index.html?year=2025&rally=pacific-forest-rally&hide=704

Pacific Forest Rally Constructors

The 2025 Pacific Forest Rally wasn’t just about fast stage times—it was about resilience, recovery, and the unbeatable rally spirit. From international champions to grassroots fighters, every story out of Merritt was a reminder of what makes this sport so special.

Next up: Rallye Baie-des-Chaleurs. Stay tuned to CarsRally.ca for full coverage.