Buist wins 2026 Mainland Rally Championship title at Waimate Rally

Deane Buist (Toyota Trueno) has claimed the 2026 Mainland Rally Championship (MRC) title after finishing third MRC competitor home in Saturday’s inaugural Waimate Rally. While Tim Smith/Bridget Airey (Subaru Impreza) took the overall rally win, James McIver/Matthew Wright (Subaru Impreza) came in first Mainland competitor ahead of Harri Silcock/Mark Greenwood (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) who finished second equal for the season with Jack Stokes who did not compete in the final fifth round.

“It was a really good rally,” commented Buist. “In the first stage we had a spark plug lead come off so we were down a cylinder which we sorted. We just finished to win the title which I think is my sixth or seventh time in about 40 years of competing in the MRC. The first win was back in 1992 in a Mazda 323 4WD.”

**James McIver/Matthew Wright (Subaru Impreza) were first Mainland competitor and second overall for the day – photo Enuff Photography**

The one-day event saw the field compete over six Special Stages in the Port Blakely Forest Estate and the public roads of the Waimate District of South Canterbury.

“The forest stages were really good, much wetter than I thought but not at all slippery,” said Buist. “It was in contrast to the dry and dusty gravel roads. These roads were tight and twisty which was great, so a lot of fun. It’s been a really good rally made easy with servicing in one spot.”

Seven separate MRC Class titles for both drivers and co-drivers have been contested across five rounds this season with one round allowed to be dropped from the points table (4 from 5 Rounds).

***Mike Matheson (Toyota Vitz) won the Class A – photo SoutherNZone Photography***

Mike Matheson (Toyota Vitz) won the Class A (2WD 0-1300cc) title with Jak Elliott and Marite Balzarini second equal. Kevin Brockie won the co-drivers’ title from Mauro Balzarini.

Pat Norris (Toyota Vitz) was the first Class B (2WD 1301-1600cc) car home at Waimate and finished second for the season behind Josh Silcock (Ford Fiesta R2) with Rory Lawn (Toyota Starlet) third. Ben Leech won the Co-drivers title ahead of Chris Ellis.

**Pat Norris (Toyota Yaris) was the first Class B car at Waimate and finished second for the season – photo Enuff Photography**

Deane Buist (Toyota Trueno) also claimed the Class C (2WD 1600cc and over) title with Ari Pettigrew second and Andrew Sim in third. Jack Norris finished first for Class C co-drivers with Anna McCallum in second.

Harri Silcock was first overall in Class D (4WD) with Jack Stokes in second and Sean Haggarty third. Mark Greenwood finished two-points ahead of Hayden Graves for the co-driver’s title.

**Harri Silcock (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) finished second equal for the season – photo Enuff Photography**

Nigel King (Mitsubishi Lancer) had already wrapped up the Class E (Pre 2000 4WD) title prior to the event. Hayden Shakespeare took second ahead of Nathan Fraser. Ryder McGuigan and Jaimee King finished first equal for the co-driver’s title.

Tim McIver and Allay Mackay finished first equal in Class F (2WD Classic) while Thomas Paul won Class H (Subaru H6) from James McIver and Josh Keighley. Bridget Airey won the Class H Co-driver’s title.

Hayden Shakespeare (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3) was first home in Class E – photo Enuff Photography

The 2026 Mainland Rally Championship has the support of RDL Performance, Brita Safety Ltd, Palmside NZ Ltd, Christchurch Building and Decorating Ltd, Thomson Rust and Repair Services Ltd, Rally Drive NZ.

Mainland Rally Championship Overall Points (Top 15)
1/ Deane Buist 99
2= Jack Stokes 90
2= Harri Silcock 90
4/ Thomas Paul 75
5/ Ari Pettigrew 72
6/ James McIver 71
7/ Sean Haggarty 65
8/ Robbie Stokes 54
9/ Andrew Sim 51
10/ Josh Silcock 49
11/ Nigel King 48
12/ Ally Mackay 41
13/ Rory Lawn 40
14/ Nic McCallum 39
15/ Josh Keighley 37

Mainland Rally Championship Results – Waimate Rally
(Pos, Driver 1/Driver 2. Car, Class)
1/ James McIver/Matthew Wright, Subaru Impreza, H
2/ Harri Silcock/Mark Greenwood, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6, D
3/ Deane Buist/Tim McIver, Toyota Trueno, C
4/ Ally Mackay/Mikko Johnston, Ford Escort Mk 1, C
5/ Willy Hawes/Ronnie Penny, Toyota Celica D
6/ Hayden Shakespeare/Ryder McGuigan, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3, E
7/ Nic McCallum/Anna McCallum, Ford Escort, C
8/ Sean Haggarty/Josh Rufford, Suzuki Swift, D
9/ Dave Ollis/Gemma Thomas, Subaru Impreza, D
10/ Andrew Sim/Caleb Sim, Ford Escort Mk 2, C
11/ Brayden Sim/Cameron Jolly, Subaru Impreza, H
12/ Nigel King/Jaimee King, Mitsubishi Lancer, E
13/ Tom Milliken/Chris Cunningham, Subaru Impreza, H
14/ Mike Matheson/Kevin Brockie, Toyota Vitz, A
15/ Mauro Balzarini/Roberto Balzarini, Toyota Starlet, A
16/ Pat Norris/Hailee Gregory, Toyota Yaris, B
dnf Nathan Fraser/Dayle Kirby, Subaru Impreza, E