The third round of the 2026 North Island Rally Series (NIRS) has seen a shake-up among the top-ten overall competitors and Class results after the Taranaki Tarmac Rally was held on Saturday.
The one-day event saw Mitch Pilcher and co-driver Darryn Todd (Subaru Impreza) first NIRS competitor home ahead of Phillip Broadbent/Sam Broadbent (Toyota Starlet) and Tony Differ/Jayson Stringer (Mitsubishi Lancer EX Turbo) after nine Special Stages.
“I wasn’t expecting that,” commented Pilcher, competing in only his second rally.
“I wanted to finish and did so with a good result.”
Pilcher benefited from the early retirements from both Carlin Leong/Nathan Roa (Subaru Impreza) and Charlie Evans/Tania Cresswell (Mazda RX7) in just the second Special Stage.
Leong, who had a chance to take over the overall lead in the NIRS, suffered clutch problems, while Evans, who missed the opening round, had a mechanical.
“It went really well,” said 20-year-old Pilcher.
“We took the first stage quite easily, and then on the fourth, we spun twice on a slippery road. Otherwise, very pleased with the day.”
The win has moved Pilcher up to sixth, while Differ jumps from seventh to second overall.
Gavin Feast (Subaru Impreza) finished sixth and moves from ninth to fourth, while Shaun Wade (Mitsubishi Mirage 4WD) sits one point behind Pilcher in seventh.
Pilcher, a potential future champion, also won the Drive of the Day plus the Winmax Brake Pad voucher.
With a number of NIRS competitors electing not to enter this round, a number of Classes saw changes in their title chase. Darryl McManus/Maddy Buhr (Toyota Vitz) continue to lead Class A (2WD:0-1300cc) while Andrew Lowe/Ian Barr (Toyota AE101) takes over the lead in Class B (2WD 1301-1600cc).
Khalid Mason/Sara Mason (Ford Fiesta ST150) were set to not only extend their lead in Class C (1601-2000cc 2WD) but also have a chance to finish on the overall NIRS podium before retiring out of the last stage of the day.
“The final stage and the one I was looking forward to the most,” said Khalid Mason.
“After leaving the (start) line, there was no drive, and there was nothing we could do but coast to a safe spot and sit and think about how close we were to our best ever rally finish, but it wasn’t our day, and it wasn’t to be.”
Tony Differ/Jayson Stringer have taken over the lead in Class D (2WD 2000cc and over) with Phillip Broadbent/Sam Broadbent moving into second.
Chris Alexander/Jackson Foster (Ford Cortina) made the most of the opportunity to take over the lead in Class E (Classic 2WD) and now have a 15-point advantage over Andrew Keighley.
Despite missing the rally to pursue their NZ Rally Championship ambitions, Quentin Palmer and Noel Moloney (Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo) still retain the lead in both the overall and Class F (4WD: 1601-1999cc) standings.
The father-and-son combination of Gavin & Hamish Feast (Subaru Impreza) not only made their debut on tarmac but now leads Class G (4WD 2001 and over) by three points, ahead of Carlin Leong/Nathan Roa.
Despite finishing behind Shaun Wade/Haylee Wade (Mitsubishi Mirage 4WD), Chris Burke/Stephen Taylor (Toyota Celica GT) hold onto their lead in Class I (4WD: Pre 1996).
Overall honours for the Taranaki Tarmac Rally went to Robert Darrington/David Abetz (Toyota Yaris) ahead of David Rogers/Noel Moloney (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10) with Jason Gill/Katrina Renshaw (VW Polo) in third, all running in the unrestricted 4WD class.
The next round of the 2026 North Island Rally Series, the BP Rally Taumarunui, will take place on 8 August 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.
Header Image: Chelsea Karl
