Interest and excitement in the 2026 Possum Bourne Memorial Rally, set for 21 March 2026, is high, with 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-GP A Impreza with Christchurch’s Stu Webber in the driver’s seat, with Spencer Bourne (Possum’s youngest son) co-driving alongside.
The one-day event is the opening round of the 2026 North Island Rally Series and sees current title holder Quentin Palmer and Noel Moloney (Skoda Fabia R5) 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) 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 will feature three ex-World Rally Championship stages, which will be repeated, totalling 140 kms of magnificent public gravel 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 (FIA) World 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 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.
2026 North Island Rally Series:
- Round 1: Possum Bourne Memorial Rally – 21 March 2026 – ACC, PCC & SACC JV partnership
- Round 2: Rally of Waitomo – 17 May 2026 – Hamilton Car Club
- Round 3: Taranaki Tarmac Rally – 27 June 2026 – South Taranaki & Taranaki Car Clubs
- Round 4: Rally Taumarunui – 8 August 2026 – TBC
- Round 5: Rally Bay of Plenty (NZRC) – 31 October 2026 – Motorsport BOP
- Round 6: Maramarua Forest Rally – 14 November 2026 – ACC, PCC, SACC JV
Header Image: Geoff Ridder
