With Hayden Paddon, so deservedly, back in the WRC and Ben Hunt stepping away from the NZRC after more than a decade at the sharp end of the championship, 2026 will be the first year in living memory that the NZRC will be contested without a Gold Star Drivers Champion participating.  

Even back in 2015 the 1985/1988 champion Brian Stokes ran an Escort in the Cat 4 Historic Rally Challenge category – co-driven by Amy, Robbie and Jack’s Mum, Anne.  

So, this year will have a very different look to who is fighting at the front, with undoubtedly the pre-season favorites being ‘2 x ‘Jacks’ and a double ‘Ace’, as two-time NZRC Round Winner Robbie Stokes – now his Skoda has been repaired – will lead away his younger brother Jack and Jack Hawkeswood from the Ceremonial Start of the Central Machine Hire Otago Rally in the Octagon on Friday evening.  

Since Jack Stokes joined the Cat 1 contingent, he has been a revelation, immediately setting the NZRC pace at Otago last year and repeating that front running form at the season ending Whangarei Rally last year.  

If you, respectfully, set aside Ben Hunt’s title winning performances throughout the season, where he won 27 stages on his way to winning four of the six rounds, these three top contenders fought tooth and nail against each other at almost every round.  

There was a total of 65 Stages contested last year, with Robbie completing 56 (after his BoP exclusion) and he beat the 2 x Jacks on 30 of those 56, making a 54% Strike Rate. Jack S set times on 54 stages – retiring on Leg 2 at Otago when closing in on Robbie for the Rally Lead, and unfortunately not a single stage at South Canterbury – for 24 fastest times (44%). Jack H completed all but 2 stages – after stopping in the second Pass of the Kakahu Forest stage at South Canterbury, when having his best run of the season, beating the Stokes brothers on all the preceding 6 stages. So, Jack made it through 63 stages for 11 ‘victories’ (17%).  

Both Jacks are in state-of-the-art cars this year with Jack S moving up from the Ford Fiesta AP4 into a Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo – to match his brother – while Jack H is in the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 he got to debut at Whangarei, having been in an AP4 version for the other five rounds.  

And with these three Young Guns – all of whom have Gold Star winning fathers, after Andrew Hawkeswood won in 2017 (without winning a round) – it is highly likely that this year will see the first ever 2nd Generation National Champion.  

However, although they might not initially be on the pace of the leading trio, there are two other Skoda mounted peddlers who are very likely to come into contention as the season progresses.  

Dylan Thomson has been given the opportunity to drive the current championship winning car of the last two years – the ex-Ben Hunt Skoda – and the current North island Rally Series champion, Quentin Palmer, is doing a fine job in the similar spec ex-Raana Horan Skoda. Both are sure to be right there to take advantage of any opportunities that might come their way.  

So, all this means the total number of Outright NZRC Rounds won by the Class of 26 is just 3 – Robbie has 2 (Canterbury and Whangarei both last year) and Jack H with one – Otago 2024.

In fact, there is also only one Co-Driver calling notes this year who has stood on the top step of an NZRC Podium – Jason Farmer has done it 4 times, most recently with Jack H at Otago in 2024 and the other three with David Holder, twice in their championship winning year in 2016 at Whangarei and Gisborne (Evo8) and at Otago in 2017 in the Hyundai i20 AP4+.

So, the most successful NZRC participant at Otago is actually Dylan’s Skoda which Ben drove to 5 Round wins – 4 last year and the 2022 Rally Hawkes Bay.      

OTHER NZRC CATEGORIES  

While the Overall Championship will have a first-time winner come Rally Bay of Plenty at the end of October, several other categories have their defending title holders returning.  

Both the Rally Challenge and Cat 5A see Caleb Macdonald and Larisa Biggar back, albeit in a different Mitsubishi (Evo8) after their high-speed incident in the forest at BoP, and they can expect quite a battle from Hawkes Bay’s Grant Blackberry, who is also going for his second Rally Challenge title after he and Co-Driver Ric Chalmers won in 2018.  

Category 3 welcomes back the evergreen Dave Strong and Rob Scott, who certainly won’t have it all their own way this year, with double Junior Champion Ari Pettigrew running his new Porsche and Tim Mackersy opting for Cat 3 this year. Andy Martin is also due to join the fray with his Porsche after Otago.  

In Cat 5c young Josh Keighley and his Aussie offsider Neill Woolley will be favored to defend their title in the H6 dominated category. In fact, all six entries are in Subarus, and all are South Islanders.  

Defending Junior champ Jack Stokes is expected to dominate now Jack Hawkeswood is ‘too old’, but should he falter, there is a cluster of very rapid Cat 5ers – Josh Keighley, Thomas Paul moving into 4WD, the very quick young James McIver, Harri Silcock (in Dad John’s Evo 6), and Harri’s brother Josh in a Fiesta R2.

All six Juniors are 2nd Generation Drivers - with Josh Keighley actually a 3rd generationer – with Grandad Morrie Chandler and both his Mum, Suzanne and Dad, Andrew, who is competing in the Allcomers Division, while sister Amy is also in the Classic 4WDs in another H6 Impreza.  

Mike Cameron is back for a final fling in LILEVO and will be looking to retain the Gold Card title and match fellow Gold Carder Dave Strong’s two titles.  

Since it’s inception in 2024 the International Category has reached double figures this year, with five countries represented and we are very pleased to welcome back Vanuatu’s Nelson Law and Pierre-Henri Brunet as well as Fuyuhiko Takahashi from Japan. Irish/Aussies Glenn Alcorn and Richie Dalton return and have brought over compatriots Sean McAloon and Michael O’Hagan to experience the fabulous Otago roads. Aussie Robert Darrington also returns to Otago, Dakar Legend Toby Price will debut the Toyota GR Yaris Cup Car, and it’s a big Kia Ora to husband-and-wife team from Spain, Edgar Vigo Lopez and Fatima Ameneiro who are the TER Series champions.  

The 12 x Rookies are a diverse mix this year, with a few you might regard as anything but a Rookie. Juniors Harri and Josh Silcock and James McIver are expected and Rory Lawn is starting his sixth rally. Four of our Internationals are also new to the NZRC, which makes Michael O’Hagan, Sean McAloon, Edgar Vigo Lopez and none other than Toby Price eligible. Of the Kiwis, believe it or not, Derek Ayson, Mark Parsons, Roger McKay and Ben Harding are all first timers competing in the NZRC.    

CURRENT STAGE RECORDS  

With such a great selection of roads available to the Otago organisers, this 50th edition is running almost entirely on public roads and there are several stages in this No Repeat Stages route, that have not been used for some time.

One that caught my eye was Stage 3 Athenaeum – the 13km test west of the Lawrence Service Park – and is the reverse direction run of the well-known Cockleshell stage.

The current records were set way back in 2011 and the record holders are a who’s who of NZ rallying.

OVERALL: ANDREW HAWKESWOOD (Audi Quattro) 6:50.4 (114kph)

ALLCOMERS: BRIAN STOKES (Ford Escort Mk2) 7:17.5

CLASSICS: JEFF JUDD (Ford Escort RS1800) 7:26.1

KIWI 2WD: BEN HUNT (Ford Fiesta ST150) 7:43.5

So it will be interesting to see who comes away with the Family Bragging Rights come late Saturday morning, and how much they can beat these records by.  

AND FINALLY  

It has been brought to my attention (by the NZRC MRF Tyre Supplier) that last month at the Westland Rally, the Stage 8 Result could well be the first time a 2WD car has beaten a Rally2 outright on a gravel stage in this country.

Over the 17.76km Mitchells 2 - Deane Buist (Toyota Trueno) won the stage with a 9:41.2, which was 1.2 seconds faster than Dylan Thomson (Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo) 9:42.4.    

Enjoy the Rally and Thanks for Everything Morrie

Dylan Thomson might well be the dark horse for not only this weekend’s season-opening Central Machine Hire Otago Rally but also the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship as a whole.

The six time 2WD champion has secured the car that won the last two national championships under the driving of Ben Hunt – now the Palmside Skoda Fabia Rally 2 car will be in the hands of the talented Christchurch-based peddler.

With Hunt enjoying retirement having stepped away at the conclusion of the 2025 season, Thomson joins a list of talented young drivers that includes Robbie Stokes, Jack Stokes and Jack Hawkeswood chasing a break-through championship in 2026.

While all four drivers could lay a claim to being one to beat, Thomson has already displayed the ability to put together a championship, to minimise risks, maximise bad days by salvaging the most points possible – all the small things that when added up have a major impact on the points table.

A decade ago, Thomson contested his first rally and since then he has been building for this moment – a chance to compete in the very best machinery against the best talent in the country.

“I’ve really been waiting all my life for this moment,” an excited Thomson said. “The car is amazing to drive, and I can’t wait to compete in an iconic event and on some of the best rally roads anywhere in the world.”

Thomson claimed a comfortable win in the lead-up to this event when he won the Westland Rally a fortnight ago.

“We were able to build throughout that event, and I felt like we were making great strides by the time we got to the end of it,” he explained. “We will have some serious competition at Otago, but I feel I’m capable of matching it with the other contenders.”

With the highly regarded Bayden Thomson, himself a three time (and unbeaten) 2WD Co-Driver champion back alongside, the Thomson cousins will be ones to watch when the rally begins with a ceremonial opening at the Octagon on Friday night and two days of competition over the weekend.

Top seed Robbie Stokes and his team have won a race against time and will take their place at the opening round of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship this week.

Stokes heavily crashed his Stokes Motorsport Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo car at a rally sprint a fortnight ago in the build-up to the Central Machine Hire Otago Rally and the team has been racing the clock to repair it in time for this weekend.

But a relieved Stokes confirmed on Tuesday that the car was repaired and would take its place for the 50th anniversary of the iconic event.

“Just under 10 days ago we weren’t sure whether we would be lining up for the 50th anniversary of Otago Rally but with the help of these people it has been made possible,” Stokes posted to social media.

“Jack Stokes, James Palmer, Mum and Dad, Logan Cornish Panel Beating, Dave Pettigrew, Lew and Quentin Palmer, Stew from Dunsmuire Rallysport, GTB Engineering, Cam and Katie from 47 Signs.

“I cannot thank you all enough for the time and effort you have put in to get the car ready.

“Let’s go have some fun.”

Stokes will lead the NZRC contingent away at Otago but will face stiff opposition from brother Jack Stokes (Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo), Jack Hawkeswood (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2), Dylan Thomson (Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo) and Quentin Palmer (Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo).

The event begins with a ceremonial opening in the Octagon from 5pm Friday night before two days of competition on Saturday and Sunday, West and South of Dunedin.

New Zealand rally stars Hayden Paddon and John Kennard are prepared and ready for their next event with Hyundai Motorsport in the team’s third Hyundai i20N Rally1 car at the WRC Croatia Rally, running 9 to 12 April.  

With more time to prepare physically and mentally than they had for their return to the FIA World Rally Championship at January’s opening round in Monte Carlo, Paddon says the feeling going into this rally is a lot more ‘normal’.  

“Despite it being a rally we’ve never done before, we’re relaxed and motivated,” says Paddon, who has frequently contested new rallies with Kennard during earlier seasons in the FIA European Rally Championship and last year’s Australian Rally Championship.  

The Croatia Rally is the fourth round of the 2026 WRC and has several changes from earlier editions. The route moves from traditional inland farmlands to high-grip coastal roads and mountain passes of the Kvarner Gulf and Istria regions, while the rally base shifts from Zagreb to the Adriatic Sea port city of Rijeka. With 20 special stages and around 300 competitive kilometres – all on asphalt – the rally also features a service park at the historic Grobnik Circuit, near Rijeka, and shakedown stages on the scenic island of Krk.  

“From our homework, it looks quite a technical rally,” says Paddon. “There are many narrow stages, generally medium to fast-paced. The unique challenge with this event looks to be how much cutting there will be on the road edges, with the potential for dirt, mud and stones to be pulled onto the tarmac, affecting the grip.  

“For Friday’s four repeated stages, we will be the last Rally1 car on the road, so the potential cutting pollution will be a big disadvantage. But we’re prepared for that – there’s nothing we can do other than deal with it really, so day one is more about damage limitation before we try to recover for Saturday and Sunday’s stages when we are reseeded with a better road position.”  

Having had the opportunity to spend more time with Hyundai Motorsport in Europe over the past couple of months, Paddon says he’s feeling more comfortable in the car but that there’s still plenty to learn.

“Because of the WRC regulations, we are very limited on how much testing we get, and we won’t get a proper pre-event test in Croatia. To help the team, the time we have had in the car was utilised in a way that we didn’t use up the team’s official test days. So while it’s still good mileage for us, it does mean we don’t get to drive in comparable conditions until the rally itself. But that’s a challenge we are up for and we’re as ready as we can be. The target is to be a lot more competitive and be closer to our teammates in terms of pace.”   

Key facts:

Croatia Rally Dates: 9-12 April 2026

Service Park: Grobnik Circuit, Rijeka

Surface: Asphalt Stages: 20 (300.28 km)  

PRG appreciates the support of their partners including Hyundai New Zealand, Caltex Havoline Oil, Mitre 10 Trade, Winmax Brake Pads, Bar’s Bugs, EROAD, Ben Nevis Station, Wipertech, Design Windows, MITO, Repco, Machinery House, King Gee, KiwiFibre, TrialLite, Hankook, Z Energy, Blaster and Signbiz.

Today our sport has lost a founding father, a competitor and an icon of our sport. Put simply, rallying both in New Zealand and across the world would not be what it is today without the gargantuan efforts of Morrie Chandler ONZM.   

Morrie’s journey with motorsport started in 1962 when he joined the Northern Sports Car Club, competing in Hillclimbs and Car Trials, the fore runner to what would eventually become rallying in New Zealand.  

His administrative journey within the sport then started and he would become the President of the Northern Sports Car Club from 1970-1974. During that period, he was elected to the Executive Board of Motorsport New Zealand in 1973, eventually becoming President in 1977, a role he would hold through to 1998. He was never one to just tackle one challenge though, and was a founding member in 1974 of the Rally Organisers Association of New Zealand, the organisation now known as Rally New Zealand Ltd, becoming chairman in 1978 and serving in that role until 2008 and was the driving force behind the FIA World Rally Championship becoming a regular visitor to New Zealand’s shores during that period.   

All the while, he was an active competitor in the sport at a high level, competing in early Heatway Rallies as part of a local works Skoda team before making a shift to Mitsubishi in 1977 that would continue right through the remainder of his driving career. That association would also lead to Morrie forming Ralliart New Zealand in the 1990s, not only making the Mitsubishi brand far more accessible to competitors across the country but helping string together multiple successful New Zealand Championship campaigns.  

Morrie continued to push the sport of Rallying, lobbying the FIA to establish the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship in 1988, a championship that would count former World Rally Champion Carlos Sainz and New Zealand rallying icons Rod Millen, Possum Bourne and Hayden Paddon amongst its champions.  

Throughout this time, back here he continued to serve the sport he loved, acting as the Clerk of the Course for Rally New Zealand from 1984 to 2005, and without doubt his tireless efforts to lobby the world body and lift the standard of rallying in New Zealand kept us on the world stage. He started to serve the sport at world level, joining the FIA’s Rallies Commission in 1983 and serving until 2006 and also the FIA World Rally Championship Commission from 2002 to 2010, including serving as President from 2006 to 2010. His contribution at a world level wasn’t confined to rallying, joining the FIA World Motorsport Council in 1996, being appointed as a Formula 1 Steward in 1998 and ultimately becoming Vice President of the FIA in 2006, eventually retiring from the organisation in 2017.  

Amongst his multiple contributions while working within the FIA was the Pirelli Star Driver project, which funded an introduction to the World Rally Championship for five drivers from different regions around the world over three seasons. Included in the benefactors of the project were 2019 World Champion Ott Tanak and New Zealand’s most successful rally driver, Hayden Paddon.  

A recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Halberg awards in 2018, Morrie was a regular sight at rallies as recently as last year, enjoying the slightly more laid-back role of proud supporter of his grandchildren Amy and Josh, both regular and successful competitors in their own right.  

Put simply, Morrie’s contribution to motorsport on a global scale was immense, his contribution to motorsport in New Zealand continues to be incomparable.  

Our thoughts go out to Margaret, Suzanne, Andrew, Amy and Josh and Morrie’s wider family and friends around the world and we thank them for sharing Morrie with us.  

RIP Morrie Chandler

Jack Hawkeswood and Jason Farmer (Toyota GR Yaris AP4) have won the Vantage Windows & Doors Possum Bourne Memorial Rally finishing less than a minute ahead of Quentin Palmer and Noel Moloney (Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo) with Andrew Hawkeswood and Jeff Cress (Mazda 2 AP4) in third.  

Hawkeswood won four of the six stages run on ex-World Rally Championship roads in the Te Akau region.  

“It was really good,” Jack Hawkeswood commented.  “The start was a little tricky in SS1 with the dust, but once the wind picked up it wasn’t a problem and we found our rhythm.  

“In the last two stages our tyres weren’t good, the best of what we had with us.  I made a couple of mistakes in SS6 so if anything happened Quentin (Palmer) would have been there as he was consistent all day.  

“Unfortunately, we spun after we clipped a slip and sustained some rear damage, so we cruised to the finish.”  

The event was the opening round of the 2026 Hawkeswood Mining North Island Rally Series (NIRS) which saw Palmer and Moloney the first NIRS car home ahead of the NIRS Driver of the Day Mason Grimmer/Leighton Spurdle (Mazda 323 4WD) and Carlin Leong/Nathan Roa (Subaru Impreza).  

“It was a good day,” said Palmer who was seeded first on the road.  “I haven’t been in the car since Rally Bay of Plenty last season. We didn’t get any testing done and I was surprised that we were on pace, so a good day.  The roads were awesome and I can see why everyone raves about these WRC roads.”  

Palmer won two of the day’s Special Stages including the opening 28.24 Te Akau South 1 SS1.    

“I was very surprised with the win in SS1.  Being first on the road it was probably the dust being the issue for those following.”  

Third overall was Jack’s father and major NIRS sponsor Andrew Hawkeswood who last competed in a rally back in 2019.  

“I definitely felt rusty, but it is a bit like riding a bike,” said Andrew Hawkeswood. “It was good having the two passes of each stage. I really enjoyed it.  Not sure if I want to resume my career at the moment.  

“It was a privilege to have known Possum (Bourne), so it's good to remember the contribution he made to NZ rallying.”  

In front of the rally was the iconic ex-Possum Bourne Vantage Subaru WRC Hillclimb car with current NZ Rally Champion Ben Hunt in the driver’s seat with Tony Rawstorn as co-driver.  

“We had an absolute blast in the car,” said Hunt.  “It is such a privilege to drive it.  It’s everybody’s dream to drive and we had an absolute ball on those stages.”  

As well as the competition for overall NIRS points there are also eight separate Classes competing for driver and co-driver titles.  

Darryl McManus/Gordon Legge (Toyota Vitz) won Class A while Sam Broadbent/Matthew Broadbent (Toyota Corolla FX GT) started their NIRS title defence winning Class B (2WD 1301-1600cc).  

Class C (1601-2000cc 2WD) saw the Ford Fiesta ST150 of junior rookie driver Khalid Mason/Sara Mason first home ahead of Steve Dill/Tim Hood (Nissan Pulsar).  

Dave Strong/Rob Scott (Honda Jazz RS) won a tight tussle in Class D (2WD 2000cc and over) finishing seventh overall (NIRS) with Phillip Broadbent/PJ Ayres (Toyota Starlet) second, ahead of Tony Differ/Jayson Stringer in the ex-Herbert 500hp EX Lancer Turbo.  

Having switched from Class D to Class E (Classic 2WD) Brent Taylor teamed up with Dave Neill (Ford Escort Mk2) and was first home ahead of Kyle Percival/Maddy Buhr (Ford Escort Mk2).  

The expected battle with Mark Parsons and Mal Clark (Triumph TR7 V8) dissipated after Parsons retired from SS1 with a clutch issue.  

Palmer won Class F from Grimmer while Carlin Leong/Nathan Roa (Subaru Impreza WRX) won Class G (4WD 2001 and over) from Gavin Feast/Hamish Feast (Subaru Impreza STi). Having led the NIRS Class for most of the day, last season’s title holder, Ben Huband, unfortunately retired with a mechanical issue heading to the penultimate SS5.  

Kingsley Jones/Waverley Jones (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo3) finished fifth overall (NIRS) and first in Class I with Chris Burke/Stephen Taylor (Toyota Celica GT) second.  

The rally was organised by the Auckland, Pukekohe and South Auckland Car Clubs Joint Venture Rally Committee and was the first of six NIRS rounds for the 2026 season.  

“I’m proud to be involved in the North Island Rally Series as it’s good to give back to the sport,” said Andrew Hawkeswood.  

“It’s an amazing contribution that these volunteers and organisers make.  The job they have done with this event has made it a really good shake down for (Rally) Otago.”  

The next event is the Newstead Lodge Rally of Waitomo on Sunday 17 May 2026.  

The best results from five out of the six NIRS rounds will determine the 2026 Driver and Co-driver champions.  

Most Rounds include an 80km Clubmans offering for a cheaper competitor option and for novice and rookie competitors.  

The 2026 North Island Rally Series acknowledges and thanks these partners for their support: Hawkeswood Mining, Semog, Pure Quality Construction, Paddon Racing Group, iSignit, Ngatea Panelbeaters and Online Contractors.

The 50th anniversary of the Central Machine Hire Otago Rally has well and truly captured the imagination of the motorsport community, drawing a staggering 147 entries just days before the official close of entries.

Set to be the biggest field for a New Zealand gravel rally since the 1980s, the event promises a spectacular 280-kilometre challenge over 16 special stages.

In a massive drawcard for competitors, the route consists entirely of public roads with zero repeat stages.

It’s not just a domestic celebration, either. The entry list currently features 37 international teams from 11 countries, marking the largest international competitor presence at a New Zealand rally since Rally New Zealand in 2008.

The highly anticipated Classic 2WD field boasts 45 entries, packed with former winners and world-class talent including Kris Meeke, Mads Østberg, Pasi Hagström, Deane Buist, and Derek Ayson.

Meanwhile, the Classic 4WD category continues its rapid growth, setting a new benchmark with a record 21 entries.

In the New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC) ranks, around 40 cars are spread across the various classes, including the Classics.

The sharp end of the field promises a heavyweight bout between Jack Hawkeswood, the two Stokes brothers, Robbie and Jack, and Dylan Thomson, who has secured the keys to Ben Hunt’s winning Skoda from last year.

Adding further intrigue to the national field is two-time Dakar Rally winner Toby Price, who will pilot a Toyota GR Yaris. Rather than a Rally2 machine, Price is stepping into the very first car built for the new Yaris Cup series.

Fans can also expect an incredible soundtrack in the forests, courtesy of Ari Pettigrew and Andy Martin, who will both be campaigning GT3 Porsches in the NZRC.

The regional fight is also strong, with the Asia Pacific Rally Championship component improving on last year’s numbers, featuring eight entries from five countries.

A massive 50-car Allcomers field — excluding those already cross-entered in the NZRC — has further boosted the already stacked entry list, proving the irresistible pull of the milestone event.

Fittingly, the rally will also welcome back competitors who were there at the very beginning. John Keast, behind the wheel of an Escort BDA, and Brian Budd will both take to the stages half a century after competing in the inaugural 1976 event.

"We are absolutely delighted with the response of the competitors to this event," event spokesman Roger Oakley said.

"It is a privilege to be part of celebrating our 50th anniversary. It’s going to be a huge motorsport event, and just as importantly, a big reunion of friendships made over many years in the sport. This is going to be a great event for Dunedin and New Zealand."

The Otago Rally acknowledges and thanks the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment for support through its Events Boost Fund, and the City of Dunedin for Premier Event support.    

Coming off the back of a successful 2025 season, the six round 2026 Hawkeswood Mining North Island Rally Series (NIRS) gets underway next weekend (Saturday 21 March 2026) with the Vantage Windows & Doors Possum Bourne Memorial Rally.  

The opening round has attracted a quality field including the defending champion and several of last year’s Class winners.

Organised by the Auckland, Pukekohe and South Auckland Car Clubs Joint Venture Rally Committee, the one-day event is based at the Te Akau Waingaro Community Centre in Te Akau and has three ex-World Rally Championship stages which will be repeated, totalling 140 kms of magnificent public gravel roads.

This Rally also includes an 80km Clubman permit and foreign participation.    

Out in front of the field as part of the pre-event safety team, will see the 0 car duties being carried out by four-time and current NZ Rally Championship title holders, Ben Hunt and Tony Rawstorn, driving the iconic ex-Possum Bourne Vantage Subaru Hillclimb car.  

The second 0 car is Bourne’s ex GpA Impreza with owner Christchurch’s Stu Webber in the driver’s seat with Spencer Bourne (Possum’s youngest son) codriving alongside.  

First seed on the road is 2025 NIRS champion Quentin Palmer and co-driver Noel Moloney who returns to the co-driver role after rehabilitating from a serious work accident (Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo) now with a full season’s experience competing in their Rally2 car.  

Behind them is Jack Hawkeswood and Jason Farmer (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) with 2025 NIRS runner up Ben Huband (Subaru Impreza WRX) seeded third.  

Sam Broadbent/Matthew Broadbent (Toyota Corolla) return to defend their Class B (2WD 1301-1600cc) title while Class D (2WD 2000cc and over) winner Brent Taylor teams up with Dave Neill in a Mk2 Ford Escort to compete in Class E (Classic 2WD) which has attracted a number of entries including Mark Parsons and Mal Clark (Triumph TR7 V8) along with Kyle Percival and Maddy Buhr (Ford Escort Mk2).  

Chris Ramsay / Bayden Thomson (2.5l Millington powered APR2 Toyota Corolla) finished runner up in Class D and may have his hands-full with Tony Differ / Jason Stringer in the ex-Bruce Herbert 500hp EX Lancer Turbo and Dave Strong / Rob Scott in a V6 Supercharged RWD Honda Jazz RS. Palmer will also be defending his Class F (4WD 1601cc – 999CC) title and with the late addition of ex-NZ Rally champion and NIRS naming partner Andrew Hawkeswood and Jeff Cress (Force Motorsport Mazda2 AP4) entered in the event along with son Jack Hawkeswood plus the return of Mason Grimmer in his special Mazda 323 4WD, Class F will certainly be competitive.    

The 2025 rivalry in Class G (4WD 2001 and over) will continue with Huband defending his title against Carlin Leong (Subaru Impreza) and a genuine Kia Ora and welcome to the NIRS drivers’ championship is the rapid Julien Lenglet (Subaru Impreza).

Also of interest will be the Class C 1601-2000cc 2WD Ford Fiesta ST150 of Khalid Mason, son of multi NZRC title holder Richard, who will have his wife, Sara Mason, in the co-driver’s seat to guide the 16 year old safely through the high-speed challenge in his first big Rally event.  

Two international drivers are welcomed to the event as a shakedown for the up-coming Rally Otago.  Australian Glenn Brinkman/Kaylie Newell (Nissan Bluebird) will join Class E, while Vanuatu driver Julien Lenglet/Fleur Pedersen (Subaru Impreza) will compete in Class G and likely to be very competitive.  

The first Te Akau South 1 Special Stage 1 gets underway at 09:15am which will be repeated at 10:40am after Service at the Te Akau Complex (from 09:55am). A second Service takes place from 11:15 before the Woodleigh 1 Special Stage 3 starts at 12:40pm followed by the Te Karaka 1 SS4 at 13:20. These two stages are repeated before the Ceremonial Finish at the Te Akau Waingaro Community Complex from 16:15pm.  

Spectators are welcomed with maps and QR codes to spectator points available on FB and www.nirs.co.nz website.   

For the 2026 season, the Hawkeswood Mining North Island Rally Series will be run over six events with the best results from five out of the six rounds determining the 2026 Driver and Co-driver champions.  

Most Rounds include an 80km Clubmans Division offering for a cheaper competitor option and for novice and rookie competitors.  

The 2026 North Island Rally Series acknowledges and thanks these partners for their support: Hawkeswood Mining, Semog, Pure Quality Construction, Paddon Racing Group, iSignit, Ngatea Panelbeaters and Online Contractors.

Interest and excitement in the 2026 Vantage Windows & Doors Possum Bourne Memorial Rally, set to go 21 March 2026, is high and attracting considerable support and attention.    

The event, which will be run on previously used World Rally Championship Special Stages in the North Waikato District, is expected to attract 35-40 entries and will also be a celebration of Possum Bourne’s life and rally driving career, with a number of mobile and static displays of ex-Possum Bourne cars.  

Zero car duties at the front of the field will be carried out by four-time and current NZ Rally Championship title holders, Ben Hunt and Tony Rawstorn, driving the amazing ex-Possum Bourne Vantage Subaru Hillclimb car.    

The second Zero car is Bourne’s ex GpA Impreza with Christchurch’s Stu Webber in the driver’s seat with Spencer Bourne (Possum’s youngest son) codriving alongside.  

The one-day event is the opening round of the 2026 Hawkeswood Mining North Island Rally Series and sees current title holder Quentin Palmer and Noel Moloney (Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo) having entered, along with the rapid pair of Jack Hawkeswood and Jase Farmer in the exciting Toyota GR Yaris Rally2.  

After a major rebuild, fans will get to see the spectacular TR7 V8 Triumph of Mark Parsons and Mal Clark along with Kyle Percival and Maddy Buhr in his Ford Escort Mk2 contesting Class E - Classic 2WD.  

Class D - 2001+ 2WD will be spectacular and has attracted the ex-Herbert 500hp EX Lancer Turbo with Tony Differ behind the wheel and Jayson Stringer in the silly seat, along with Dave Strong / Rob Scott (V6 Supercharged RWD Honda Jazz RS) and Chris Ramsay (2.5l Millington powered AP2 Toyota Corolla) battling at the pointy end.  

The rally will be based at the Te Akau Waingaro Community Centre in Te Akau and has three ex-World Rally Championship stages which will be repeated, totalling 140 kms of magnificent public gravelled roads. It’s a perfect shakedown opportunity for both the coming season and for those heading to Rally Otago's 50th Anniversary event in April.  

Bourne won the NZ Rally Championship in 1991 and went on to win the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (1993, ‘94, ‘99) and the Australian Rally Championship seven times consecutively (1996-2002), plus the iconic Ashley Forest Rallysprint (1989, 1991, 2000) and the Queenstown Race to the sky in 2001).  

In 1993 he became the first New Zealand resident to have a works contract in a Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile rally championship, when he drove a Subaru Legacy for Prodrive.  

“Possum was an incredible driver and a great down-to-earth friendly guy” said Rally Coordinator Marty Roestenburg.  

“He was a role model, a sponsor’s dream and a real-life hero for many of us in the sport.  

“The Auckland, Pukekohe and South Auckland Car Clubs JV Rally Committee feel privileged and honoured to continue acknowledging his and his whanau’s legacy. Peggy Bourne is 100% beside us with this tribute and has kindly agreed to attend the Event to help wave the cars away at the ceremonial start and present some special trophies at the prizegiving afterwards.  

“We are incredibly grateful for the iwi, community groups and the Waikato District Council support that have all contributed towards making this Event happen.”  

For the 2026 season, the Hawkeswood Mining North Island Rally Series will be run over six separate events with the best results from five out of the six rounds determining the 2026 Driver and Co-driver champions.  

Most Rounds include an 80km Clubmans offering for novice and rookie competitors.  

The 2026 North Island Rally Series acknowledges and thanks these partners for their support: Hawkeswood Mining, Semog, Pure Quality Construction, Paddon Racing Group, iSignit, Ngatea Panelbeaters and Online Contractors.

The Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship will feature a new Class in 2026 with the Classics Championship confirmed by MotorSport New Zealand.

Based on the Otago Rally technical regulations that have been successfully used for a number of years, the class will see a dedicated space for classic 2WD rally cars to compete against each other and will hopefully see a number of new cars enter the championship this year.

It will be officially known as Category 6 and will be contested across all six rounds of the 2026 championship, while also being classified as part of the overall GoldStar championship.

The Historic 2WD class (Category 4) will remain as it has, with the regulations continuing to protect historic cars.

“We've seen the increasing difficulty associated with running genuine historic compliant vehicles and have given an avenue through the highly successful Otago Classic Rally to have the opportunity to have more exciting cars within the championship that still celebrates the essence of the era,” championship coordinator Blair Bartels said.

“We know there is a lot of interest in this class and hopefully that will translate to a good field of entrants.

“We look forward to welcoming this class to our existing championship categories in what is shaping as a big year for the series.” MotorSport New Zealand President, Deborah Day, said the introduction of the Classic Rally Championship both honours the sport’s past and strengthens its future.

“The introduction of Category 6 recognises the strong and passionate contingent of classic competitors who are such an important part of rallying in New Zealand,” said Day.

“Classic Rallying has long been a cornerstone of our sport, and it is fantastic to now provide a dedicated national championship platform for these iconic cars and their drivers.”

The 2026 Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship will be held over six rounds starting with the Otago Rally April 10-12.