Jack Hawkeswood and Jason Farmer (Toyota GR Yaris AP4) have won the 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 received some rear damage, so we cruised to the finish.”
The event was the opening round of the 2026 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 was surprised that I was 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 good to remember the contribution he made to NZ rallying.”
In front of the rally was the iconic ex-Possum Bourne Vantage Subaru 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.”
In addition to the competition for overall NIRS points, there are 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 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 (TR7 V8 Triumph) dissipated after Parsons retired from SS1 with a clutch issue.
Palmer won Class F from Grimmer, while Carlin Leong/Nathan Roa (Subaru Impreza) won Class G (4WD 2001 and over) from Gavin Feast/Hamish Feast (Subaru Impreza). Having led the NIRS Class for most of the day, last season’s title holder, Ben Huband, unfortunately retired with a mechanical issue in 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 JV 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 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.
Header Image: Geoff Ridder
