Taumarunui rally Champion Quentin Palmer (Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo) has this season proven difficult to beat in the 2026 Hawkeswood Mining North Island Rally Series (NIRS). Provided he finishes strongly Palmer is highly likely to take out the Overall and Drivers’ Championship for the second time but there is still the Co-Drivers’ Championship, podium placings and Class titles to be decided as the series heads to the final round at the Battery Town Rally Bay of Plenty on Saturday, 31 October 2026.
The event doubles as the final round of both the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship and the North Island Rally Series. Based in Whakatāne, competitors can look forward to approximately 160 kilometres of nine competitive Special Stages, tackling the roads of the Eastern Bay of Plenty before returning to Whakatāne for Saturday night’s finish celebrations and prizegiving.
Thirty-four points behind Palmer and second equal are Carlin Leong/Nathan Roa (Subaru Impreza WRX) and Tony Differ/Jayson Stringer (Mitsubishi Lance EX Turbo) with Gavin Feast/Noel Moloney (Subaru Impreza) only eight points further back in fourth followed by Dave Strong/Rob Scott (Honda Jazz RS) and Julien Lenglet/Fleur Pedersen (Subaru Impreza WRX). Moloney leads the codrivers title but, like Palmer, he still needs to finish strongly to secure the title.
Lenglet was impressive at the previous BP Rally Taumarunui held in August, finishing third overall and second NIRS competitors’ home.
Class titles are still up for contention for both drivers and co-drivers.
Darryl McManus (Toyota Vitz) has a 35-point lead in Class A (2WD:0-1300cc) to rival Blair Richardson who didn’t compete in the last round due to cambelt and engine issues.
Andrew Lowe/Ian Barr (Toyota AE101) should win the Class B (2WD 1301-1600cc) title with rivals Sam Broadbent/Matthew Broadbent (Toyota Corolla FXGT) retiring out of Rally Taumarunui and not entered in the finale.
It’s still a close contest in Class C (1601-2000cc 2WD) with Stephen Dill/Adrian Sutton (Nissan Pulsar Gti) 10-points ahead of previous leaders Khalid and Sara Mason (Ford Fiesta ST150). Having won their class in both the first two rounds the Mason’s have unfortunately suffered two mechanical retirements meaning Dill just needs to finish to win the Class.
Tony Differ/Jayson Stringer (Mitsubishi Lance EX Turbo) have a fair chance to win the hotly contested Class D (2WD 2000cc and over) with a 15-point lead over Dave Strong/Rob Scott. Third placed Phillip Broadbent has not entered with ongoing engine issues in his potent Millington powered Toyota Starlet.
In Class E (Classic 2WD), Chris Alexander/Jackson Foster (Ford Cortina) saw their lead shrink to just two-points after retiring out of the last round with electrical problems. A good battle with rivals Andrew Keighley/Jonathan Kane (Ford Escort Mk2) will take place whilst Brent Taylor/Dave Neill (Ford Escort Mk2) who sit second equal have not entered as the team are currently preparing for the Silver Fern Rally starting in late November.
Quentin Palmer (Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo) has already won the Class F (4WD: 1601-1999cc) title for the season from Mason Grimmer (Mazda 323).
Class G (4WD 2001 and over) leader Carlin Leong/Nathan Roa (Subaru Impreza WRX) only need to finish ahead of their rivals with a five-point lead back to Gavin Feast (Subaru Impreza). Should either falter, Julien Lenglet/Fleur Pedersen (Subaru Impreza WRX) are in the box seat to move up in the Class.
Chris Burke (Toyota Celica GT) has an unbeatable 25-point lead in Class I (4WD: Pre 1996) back to Shaun Wade/Haylee Wade (Mitsubishi Mirage 4WD). Hamilton 13-year-old Mere Smith will codrive for Burke in her first ever rally.
The Ceremonial Start on Friday evening will give spectators the opportunity to meet competitors, get up close to the rally cars and soak up the atmosphere before the competition begins on Saturday. The end of season prizegiving will take place from 6.30 Saturday evening at the Whakatane Sport Fishing Club with 50 trophies and 20 medals to present to the deserved recipients.
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.
Overall Points – 2026 Hawkeswood Mining North Island Rally Series (Top 15)
1/ Quentin Palmer 120
2= Carlin Leong 84
2= Tony Differ 84
4/ Gavin Feast 76
5/ Dave Strong 58
6/ Julien Lenglet 56
7/ Mitch Pilcher 54
8/ Phillip Broadbent 48
9/ Brent Taylor 42
10/ Shaun Wade 39
11/ Samuel Broadbent 38
12/ Andrew Keighley 35
13= Ben Huband 34
13= Mason Grimmer 34
15/ Chris Burke 31
Co-Drivers Overall Points (Top 10)
1/ Noel Moloney 120
2/ Jayson Stringer 96
3/ Fleur Pedersen 88
4/ Nathan Roa 87
5= Hamish Feast 51
5= Stephen Taylor 51
7= Dave Neill 46
7= Haylee Wade 46
9= Matthew Broadbent 44
9= Rob Scott 44
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