The third round of the 20026 Hawkeswood Mining North Island Rally Series (NIRS) has seen a shake up within the top ten overall competitors and Class results after the SBT Group Taranaki Tarmac Rally was held on Saturday. The one-day event saw Mitch Pilcher and co-driver Darryn Todd (Subaru Impreza) first NIRS competitor home ahead of Phillip Broadbent/Sam Broadbent (Toyota Starlet) and Tony Differ/Jayson Stringer (Mitsubishi Lancer EX Turbo) after nine Special Stages.
“I wasn’t expecting that,” commented Pilcher competing in only his second rally. “I wanted to finish and did so with a good result.”
Pilcher benefitted from the early retirements from both Carlin Leong/Nathan Roa (Subaru Impreza) and Charlie Evans/Tania Cresswell (Mazda RX7) in just the second Special Stage. Leong, who had a chance to take over the overall lead in the NIRS, suffered clutch problems while Evans, who missed the opening round, had a mechanical.
“It went really well,” said 20-year-old Pilcher. “We took the first stage quite easy and then on the fourth we spun twice with a slippery road. Otherwise very pleased with the day.”
The win has moved Pilcher up to sixth while Differ jumps from seventh to second overall. Gavin Feast (Subaru Impreza) finished sixth and moves from ninth to fourth while Shaun Wade (Mitsubishi Mirage 4WD) sits one-point behind Pilcher in seventh. Pilcher, a potential future champion, also won the Drive of the Day plus the Winmax Brake Pad voucher.
With a number of NIRS competitors electing not to enter this round, a number of Classes saw changes in their title chase. Darryl McManus/Maddy Buhr (Toyota Vitz) continue to lead Class A (2WD:0-1300cc) while Andrew Lowe/Ian Barr (Toyota AE101) takes over the lead in Class B (2WD 1301-1600cc).
Khalid Mason/Sara Mason (Ford Fiesta ST150) were set to not only extend their lead in Class C (1601-2000cc 2WD) but also a chance to finish on the overall NIRS podium before retiring out of the last stage of the day.
“The final stage and the one I was looking forward to the most,” said Khalid Mason. “After leaving the (start) line there was no drive and there was nothing we could do but coast to a safe spot and sit and think about how close we were to our best ever rally finish, but it wasn’t our day and it wasn’t to be.”
Tony Differ/Jayson Stringer have taken over the lead in Class D (2WD 2000cc and over) with Phillip Broadbent/Sam Broadbent moving into second.
Chris Alexander/Jackson Foster (Ford Cortina) made the most of the opportunity to take over the lead in Class E (Classic 2WD) and now have a 15-point advantage over Andrew Keighley.
Despite missing the rally to pursue their NZ Rally Championship ambitions, Quentin Palmer and Noel Moloney (Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo) still retain the lead in both the overall and Class F (4WD: 1601-1999cc) standings.
The father and son combination of Gavin & Hamish Feast (Subaru Impreza) not only made their debut on tarmac but now lead Class G (4WD 2001 and over) by three-points back to Carlin Leong/Nathan Roa.
Despite finishing behind Shaun Wade/Haylee Wade (Mitsubishi Mirage 4WD), Chris Burke/Stephen Taylor (Toyota Celica GT) hold onto their lead in Class I (4WD: Pre 1996).
Overall honours for the Taranaki Tarmac Rally went to Robert Darrington/David Abetz (Toyota Yaris) ahead of David Rogers/Noel Moloney (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10) with Jason Gill/Katrina Renshaw (VW Polo) in third, all running in the unrestricted 4WD class.
The next 2026 Hawkeswood Mining North Island Rally Series round, the BP Rally Taumarunui will take place 8 August 2026.
Overall Points – 2026 Hawkeswood Mining North Island Rally Series (Top 10)
1/ Quentin Palmer 80
2/ Tony Differ 62
3/ Carlin Leong 54
4/ Gavin Feast 49
5/ Phillip Broadbent 48
6/ Mitch Pilcher 40
7/ Shaun Wade 39
8= Dave Strong 38
8= Samuel Broadbent 38
10= Ben Huband 34
10= Mason Grimmer 34
Co-Drivers Overall Points (Top 10)
1/ Noel Moloney 80
2/ Jayson Stringer 78
3/ Nathan Roa 57
4/ Fleur Pedersen 54
5/ Haylee Wade 48
6/ Rob Scott 46
7= Samuel Broadbent 40
7= Stephen Taylor 40
9/ Jackson Foster 38
10= Dayna Kiekebosch 34
10= Leighton Spurdle 34
Results Round 3 NIRS SBT Group Taranaki Tarmac Rally
(Pos, Driver 1/Driver 2, Car, Class)
1/ Mitch Pilcher/Darryn Todd, Subaru Impreza, I
2/ Phillip Broadbent/Sam Broadbent, Toyota Starlet, D
3/ Tony Differ/Jayson Stringer, Mitsubishi Lancer EX Turbo, D
4/ Shaun Wade/Haylee Wade, Mitsubishi Mirage 4WD, I
5/ Peter Farrell/Carol Liston, Mazda RX7, D
6/ Gavin Feast/Hamish Feast, Subaru Impreza, G
7/ Chris Alexander/Jackson Foster, Ford Escort Mk2, E
8/ Chris Burke/Stephen Taylor, Toyota Celica, I
9/ Andrew Lowe/ Ian Barr, Toyota Corolla, B
DNF Charlie Evans/Tania Cresswell, Mazda RX7, D, Retired: SS2: Mechanical
DNF Carlin Leong/Nathan Roa, Subaru Impreza, G, Retired: SS2: Clutch
DNF Khalid Mason/Sara Mason, Ford Fiesta ST150, C Retired: SS9: No Gears
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