Quentin Palmer and co-driver Noel Moloney (Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo) have continued their consistent winning form across the 2026 North Island Rally Series (NIRS) season, taking victory in the Rally Taumarunui on Saturday 8 August.
The pairing won all eight Special Stages held on gravel roads around the King Country region to build a comfortable margin of over 4 minutes.
Second overall (but non-NIRS registered) was a welcome back to Zeal Jones and novice co-driver Finn Fenning (Subaru Impreza WRX), with Zeal returning to NZ rallying after an eight-month sojourn in Japan and Finland driving for the Toyota Gazoo Rally Team.
Third overall and second NIRS competitors’ home were Vanuatu’s Julien Lenglet/Fleur Pedersen (Subaru Impreza WRX) who were also awarded the Winmax Drive of the Day trophy ahead of Carlin Leong/Nathan Roa (Subaru Impreza WRX) in fourth overall (and third NIRS) after a thrilling three-way shootout over the final two stages including Jackson Clendon/Katrina Renshaw (Ford Fiesta Rally4) only two seconds behind in fifth placing overall.
“It went like clockwork,” commented Palmer.
“It’s been a good day and a privilege to win on the return of this event to the NIRS calendar.
“The first couple of stages were a challenge with slippery conditions, but after that the grip improved over the day.”
Based in Taumarunui and promoted by South Taranaki, Taihape District and Dannevirke Car Clubs, the one-day National event consisted of eight Special Stages run over 135 km of classic King Country public gravel roads last used in 1999 as a NZ Rally Championship round. A smaller four-stage 64km Clubmans rally was also run over the afternoon loops of stages.
The fourth round of the NIRS proved to shake up a number of the different Class title fights, particularly with those trying to topple the previous leaders.
Darryl McManus (Toyota Vitz) has extended his lead in Class A (2WD:0-1300cc) to 35-points with rival Blair Richardson having not entered due to cambelt and engine issues.
Andrew Lowe/Ian Barr (Toyota AE101) have also extended their lead in Class B (2WD 1301-1600cc), with rivals Sam Broadbent/Matthew Broadbent (Toyota Corolla FXGT) retiring out of the event in SS2, getting stuck in mud at the side of the road.
It’s still a close contest in Class C (1601-2000cc 2WD) despite previous leaders Khalid and Sara Mason (Ford Fiesta ST150) suffering their second mechanical retirement this season with driveline issues. Stephen Dill/Adrian Sutton (Nissan Pulsar GTI) were the only class finishers and have now jumped 10 points ahead.
Adam & Jilly Fisher (Toyota Altezza RS200) retired with a damaged front shock absorber, with Dale James/Kim Raggett (Ford Fiesta ST) also retiring with hydraulic troubles.
Tony Differ/Jayson Stringer (Mitsubishi Lance EX Turbo) have increased their lead from seven to 15-points in the hotly contested Class D (2WD 2000cc and over) and now lie second equal overall in the NIRS with Leong/Roa on 84 points.
Unfortunately, second-placed in Class D, Phillip Broadbent/Paul Ayres (Toyota Starlet) retired on the seventh stage after getting stuck off the road, allowing third-placed Dave Strong/Brianna Little (Honda Jazz RS) to move into second overall.
In Class E (Classic 2WD), Chris Alexander/Jackson Foster (Ford Cortina) have seen their lead shrink to just two points after retiring in SS7 with electrical problems. This was to the advantage of Andrew Keighley/Jonathan Kane (Ford Escort Mk2), who have closed the gap while first in class on Saturday.
Brent Taylor/Dave Neill (Ford Escort Mk2), sit second equal with Keighley.
Mason Grimmer/Leighton Spurdle (Mazda Familia 4WD) returned for SS4 before their throttle cable broke, giving Quentin Palmer and Noel Moloney (Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo) the opportunity to extend their lead in Class F (4WD: 1601-1999cc) to 45 points.
In the very competitive Class G (4WD 2001 and over), leader Carlin Leong/Nathan Roa (Subaru Impreza WRX) have just a five-point gap back to Gavin & Hamish Feast (Subaru Impreza) who finished sixth overall.
With Julien Lenglet/Fleur Pedersen (Subaru Impreza WRX) finishing second overall (NIRS), they were also first home in class ahead of Leong and Feast.
Chris Burke/Stephen Taylor (Toyota Celica GT) now have a 15-point buffer in Class I (4WD: Pre 1996) over Shaun Wade/Haylee Wade (Mitsubishi Mirage 4WD), who also retired from the touring to the seventh stage with an oil line issue.
The blind category (no safety notes) of the National Rally section was won by Mike Goldsbury/Mathew Harris (Toyota Corolla DX) from Mitch Pilcher/Alex Parkin (Subaru Impreza WRX) and Mark Bradly/Matt Arthur (Datsun 1200sss) third. The Clubman’s Rally was won by Cam McKay/Jonny Kay (Toyota Starlet).
“The simple and efficient four stages-repeated style format combined with a central service park in the Taumarunui township was well received by the 46-strong competitors and the hundreds of spectators”, commented NIRS coordinator Marty Roestenburg.
“The rally organising committee did a fabulous job, and the marketing and promotion team really lifted the bar for regional rallies in Te Ika a Maui. We are grateful for the incredible support from Ruapehu District Council, Ngati Haua Iwi, local businesses, community groups, residents, and the Taumarunui Cosmopolitan Club. After a 26-year hiatus, we hope rallying will return to the mighty King Country again in the not too distant future.”
The fifth and penultimate Round of the NIRS moves to Whakatane as part of the Rally Bay of Plenty (NZRC) on 31 October 2026.
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.
Overall Points – 2026 North Island Rally Series (Top 15)
- Quentin Palmer 120
- Carlin Leong 84
- Tony Differ 84
- Gavin Feast 76
- Dave Strong 58
- Julien Lenglet 56
- Mitch Pilcher 54
- Phillip Broadbent 48
- Brent Taylor 42
- Shaun Wade 39
- Samuel Broadbent 38
- Andrew Keighley 35
- Ben Huband 34
- Mason Grimmer 34
- Chris Burke 31
Co-Drivers Overall Points (Top 10)
- Noel Moloney 120
- Jayson Stringer 96
- Fleur Pedersen 88
- Nathan Roa 87
- Hamish Feast 51
- Stephen Taylor 51
- Dave Neill 46
- Haylee Wade 46
- Matthew Broadbent 44
- Rob Scott 44
Header Image: Chelsea Karl
