Jack Stokes and co-driver Hayden Graves (Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo) have increased their lead in the 2026 Mainland Rally Championship (MRC) after winning the latest round, the Barry Robinson Memorial Rally Southland on Saturday (18 July 2026).
Organised by the Eastern Southland Car Club, the one-day rally also doubled as a round of the NZ Rally Championship, attracting a competitive field battling seven Special Stages based around the township of Wyndham.
“Very pleased with the result,” commented Stokes.
“The team did an amazing job with the car, which ran faultless. We had no issues or dramas so we couldn’t have asked for anything better.”
While Stokes was the fastest MRC competitor on five of the seven stages, his brother Robbie Stokes and Ally MacKay (Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo) won the other two and finished in second for the round.
Ari Pettigrew/Jack Norris (Porsche 911 WRC) claimed third with Thomas Paul/Bridget Airey (Subaru Impreza H6) fourth ahead of Harri Silcock/Mark Greenwood (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6).
“The opening stage was quite tricky with trying to judge the grip level and braking points,” said Jack Stokes.
“These cars (Rally2) are capable of tremendous speeds, so we are continuing to grow in confidence and over the day got stronger and more comfortable. It was an awesome experience.”
Stokes has extended his overall lead in the Mainland Rally Championship with a 14-point gap back to Deane Buist, who finished sixth. Thomas Paul’s fourth place sees him one point behind Buist while Ari Pettigrew is just three points shy of Paul, in fourth.
Seven separate MRC Class titles for both drivers and co-drivers are being contested across six rounds this season.
Mike Matheson/Kevin Brockie (Toyota Vitz) have extended their lead in Class A (2WD 0-1300cc), beating home Maurite Balzarini/ Mauro Balzarini (Toyota Starlet), who have moved into second place.
Rory Lawn/Matt Sayers (Toyota Starlet) were first home in Class B (2WD 1301-1600cc) and eighth overall MRC competitor, moving into second in class, reducing the gap to ten points to leaders Josh Silcock/Ben Leech (Ford Fiesta R2). Third-placed Pat Norris/Kevin Cooke (Toyota Corolla AE86) are still in the hunt, just two points further back.
Ari Pettigrew/Jack Norris, in their new Porsche 911, continue their dream run, winning their third Class C (2WD 1600cc and over) round this season. They have moved up to second in class, just eight points behind Deane Buist/Karl Celeste (Ford Escort RS1800), who came in second (in class) ahead of Richard Galley/Anna Robinson (BMW E30).
Jack Stokes/Hayden Graves have now taken over the lead in Class D (4WD), four points ahead of Harri Silcock/Mark Greenwood (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6), who finished fifth overall, with Sean Haggarty/Matt Jones (Suzuki Swift Subki) in third after finishing seventh overall.
Nigel King (Mitsubishi Lancer) continues to lead Class E (Pre 2000 4WD). In Class H (Subaru H6) Thomas Paul has a healthy 38-point lead over James McIver who has moved up into second after Josh Keighley/Neill Woolley retired with electrical problems.
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 Top 15 Overall Points after 4/6 Rounds:
- Jack Stokes 90
- Deane Buist 76
- Thomas Paul 75
- Ari Pettigrew 72
- Harri Silcock 64
- Robbie Stokes 54
- Sean Haggarty 50
- Josh Silcock 49
- James McIver 41
- Rory Lawn 40
- Andrew Sim 38
- Josh Keighley 37
- Nigel King 37
- Caleb MacDonald 35
- Dylan Thomson 32
Rally Southland Mainland Rally Championship Results:
(Pos, Driver 1/Driver 2, Car, Class)
- Jack Stokes/Hayden Graves, Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo, D
- Robbie Stokes/Ally MacKay, Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo, D
- Ari Pettigrew/Jack Norris, Porsche 911 WRC, C
- Thomas Paul/Bridget Airey, Subaru Impreza H6, H
- Harri Silcock/Mark Greenwood, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6, D
- Deane Buist/Karl Celeste, Ford Escort RS1800, C
- Sean Haggarty/Matt James, Suzuki Swift, D
- Rory Lawn/Matt Sayers, Toyota Starlet, B
- Josh Silcock/Ben Leech, Ford Fiesta R2, B
- James McIver/Matt Wright, Subaru Impreza H6, H
- Nigel King/Jaimee King, Mitsubishi Lancer, E
- Kevin Laird/Aled Jones, Subaru Impreza H6, H
- Richard Galley/Anna Robinson, BMW E30, C
- Tom Milliken/Chris Cunningham, Subaru Impreza H6, H
- Terri Taylor/Daph O’Rourke, Subaru Impreza WRX, E
- Mike Matheson/Kevin Brockie, Toyota Vitz, A
- Marite Balzarini/Mauro Balzarini, Toyota Starlet, A
- Pat Norris/Kevin Cooke, Toyota Corolla AE86, B
- DNF Josh Keighley/Neill Woolley, Subaru Impreza H6, H
Header Image: Terry Marshall
