The 2025 Dayle ITM Gold Rush Rally of Coromandel is a crucial battleground for competitors in the North Island Rally Series (NIRS), who are set to light up the gravel roads of the Coromandel Peninsula on Saturday, 23 August 2025.
As a key round of the NIRS calendar, the Coromandel event brings high stakes for those chasing championship honours, with drivers and teams eager to secure valuable points as the season heads into its final two rounds.
“We’re thrilled to have the North Island Rally Series as part of the event,” said event chairman Simon Bell.
“It brings another layer of competition and really highlights the strength of regional rallying across the North Island, which we haven’t seen for many years. For many of these teams, this rally could make or break their title chances, it’s game on in Whitianga”
The Dayle ITM Gold Rush Rally of Coromandel entry list boasts a strong field of NIRS contenders across all classes — from 4WD turbocharged machines to highly competitive 2WD cars, classic rally weapons, and emerging talent in the junior ranks. With a mix of experienced campaigners and fresh faces, fans can expect a tightly fought contest across the day’s stages.
Leading away the NIRS teams in what will be the fight for the Rally2 honours are Quentin Palmer & Dayna Kiekebosch in their newly acquired Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo. Right behind them is the pairing of Todd Bawden & Katrina Renshaw, with Todd having a large amount of experience at both the national and international levels, in their Ford Fiesta Mk2 R5.
Not to be discounted in the trio fighting for the podium are New Caledonians Eugene Creugnet & Phillipe Delrieu in their Mitsubishi Mirage AP4, with a partial season this year outside of the NZRC.
The 4WD 2000cc & over class drivers will be ones to watch if any of the top seeds spin or have a puncture. Leading them away are Ben Huband & Corinne Watson in their rapid Subaru Impreza WRX, followed by William Menzies & Doug Dolan in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6, this team had a great result at the last round in Taranaki.
Not allowing these guys to get away will be the experienced crew of Andy Martin & Matt Hayward in their Subaru WRX, followed by Carlin Leong & Nathan Road, who are relatively new to national rally events in their Subaru WRX.
Class D are the high-powered rear-wheel drive cars. Expect lots of sideways and gravel being “re-distributed”. Leading this class on the road are Brent Taylor & the very experienced Dave Neill in their rapid Toyota 86. Following them on the next minute will be the very experienced Dave Strong & Rob Scott in the V6-powered Honda Jazz RS.
The last four spots in this class are Daniel Haines & Matt Priest in the Ford Escort Mk2, Chris Ramsay & Amy Hudson in the very stunning Toyota Corolla APR2, Tony Differ & Jayson Stringer in the massively powerful (400hp+) Mitsubishi Lancer EX, with Jeff Torkington & Jasmine Cornelius Toyota MR2 at # 42.
This class is one to watch, featuring all very good teams in impressive cars, with the battle expected to be intense.
Class E for Classic 2WD cars is led away by Kyle Percival & Findlay Tyack in his Ford Escort MK2. Following them are Whitianga locals Mike Vincent & Darryn Todd in a Hillman Avenger.
Then, in a car not normally seen on gravel but more in a car collection, are Nick Flanagan & Tristan Lees-Baker in their Peugeot 205. A car that was formidable in the 80s as a Group B rally car.
The Class C 2WD 1601cc-2000cc class has two great teams with the experienced pairing of John Whooley & Carol Liston in their Honda Civic, and Adrian Sutton & Stephen Dill in a Nissan Pulsar.
Class B 2WD 1301-1600cc has a sole entrant in Marc Milner & Steven Uffindell in a Toyota Starlet 4AGE, they will have their eyes on beating the Class C runners in the overall results.
Finally, Class I, the Pre-96 4WD, is for the older 4WD cars. Dargaville Clubmans rally winner Chris Burke & Stephen Taylor lead the class away in their tribute livery Toyota Celica ST185. And not to be outdone, in another tribute livery, a Toyota Celica ST185 is the local Whitianga team of Darren Hartley & Brandon Cooper-Barnett.
The one-day rally will feature a compact format of gravel stages around the Whitianga region, with a Friday night gala start in Blacksmith Lane from 4pm to the central service park, adding to the family-friendly, festival-like atmosphere the event is known for.
For North Island Rally Series competitors, the Coromandel stages offer both a challenge and an opportunity. The fast, flowing roads are loved by drivers but leave little room for error, especially for those with titles on the line.
“Coromandel is always a favourite for our crews,” says event Chairman Simon Bell.
“The roads are fabulous, and the atmosphere is second to none. It’s the perfect place to showcase the talent that are in the NIRS.”
Spectators are encouraged to follow the Dayle ITM Gold Rush Rally of Coromandel’s website for stage maps, schedules, and live updates on the day. Important links below.
- Live streaming of selected stages is available via the NZRC Facebook page or on YouTube via www.nzrc.tv
- Live Results are available via www.chrissport.nz/
- Maps and Timings are available via www.nzrallychamps.co.nz/event/rally-new-zealand-whitianga/
Header Image: Geoff Ridder
