This Sunday’s Rally of Canterbury will see local brothers Robbie and Jack Stokes go head-to-head at the third round of the 2026 Mainland Rally Championship (MRC).
While Jack Stokes/Hayden Graves (Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo) won the last round at the Otago Rally, it’s Deane Buist/Karl Celeste (Ford Escort Mk2) who lead the MRC after consistent performances in the first two events.
The one-day rally comprises approximately 135 km of Special Stages run in the Ashley Forest and on public roads in North Canterbury, with 295 km of touring. This includes several dedicated Fan Zones, with focus on the final SS9 at the Euromarque Motorsport Park in Ruapuna ($5 entry), underway in fading light at 4:48pm.
The opening Special Stage 1 (7:55am) and penultimate SS8 (3:36pm) both feature an elevated viewing area at the corner of Mount Grey and Courtney Roads. SS2 (939am) has a spectator point at the intersection of Stonyhurst and Blythe Road, while SS6 (2:08 pm) has a Fan Zone at the intersection of Heathstock, MacDonald Downs and Broxton Roads.
Seven separate MRC Class titles for both drivers and co-drivers are being contested over the nine Special Stages.
In Class A (2WD 0-1300cc) Jak Elliott/Blair Brosnan (Toyota Echo) are up against Mike Matheson/Kevin Brockie (Toyota Vitz) and Mauro Balzarini/Sam Coulthard (Toyota Starlet).
Josh Silcock (Ford Fiesta R2) continues to lead Class B (2WD 1301-1600cc) from Pat Morris (Toyota Corolla AE86). Ian Warren (Suzuki Swift Cup Car), who was first in Class at Otago, has switched from his Nissan Pulsar to a Suzuki Swift Cup Car from Mackersy Motorsport for this event.
Ari Pettigrew/Jack Norris have been spectacular in their Porsche 911 and are a firm fan favourite. They lead Class C (2WD 1600cc and over) from Deane Buist, followed by Andrew Sim (Ford Escort Mk2) and Richard Galley (BMW E30).
Eight cars are entered in the quick Class D (4WD) led by Jack Stokes and Robbie Stokes, plus Caleb Macdonald/Larisa Biggar (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8), Matthew Wright/Stephen Lloyd (Subaru Impreza) and Sean Haggarty/Shane Reynolds (Suzuki Swift Subaru).
However, it is the consistent performances that see Harri Silcock/Mark Greenwood (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) leading this category from Haggarty/Reynolds.
Nigel King (Mitsubishi Lancer) is likely to extend his lead in Class E (Pre 2000 4WD), while Class F (2WD Classic) has no MRC entries for this event.
Thomas Paul/Bridget Airey (Subaru Impreza H6) head a competitive Class H (Subaru H6), leading rivals James Macdonald/Josh Edwards (Subaru Impreza H6) and Josh Keighley/Neill Woolley (Subaru Impreza H6).
The Rally of Canterbury will begin on Saturday, 30 May, with a ceremonial start from 4:30pm at Lone Star, Manchester Street, with the competition to begin on Sunday, 31 May.
The first Car starts from Joe’s Garage, Alfred Street, Rangiora, at approximately 7.30am on Sunday, 31st, finishing at approximately. 5.30pm at the final control, The Lone Star Manchester, 26 Manchester Street, Christchurch.
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, and Rally Drive NZ.
Overall MRC Points after 2/6 rounds (Top 15)
- Deane Buist 43
- Dylan Thomson 32
- Thomas Paul 32
- Harri Silcock 31
- Jack Stokes 30
- James McIver 28
- Tim McIver 27
- James Macdonald 27
- Andrew Sim 27
- Robbie Stokes 26
- Ari Pettigrew 23
- Sean Haggarty 22
- Josh Silcock 22
- Ally Mackay 21
- Caleb MacDonald 18
- Nigel King 18
Mainland Rally Championship Round 3 Entries – (#, Driver 1/Driver 2, Car, Class)
- 1, Jack Stokes/Hayden Graves, Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo, D
- 3, Robbie Stokes/Andy Sarandis, Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo, D
- 6, Ari Pettigrew/Jack Norris, Porsche 911, C
- 7, Caleb Macdonald/Larisa Biggar, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8, D
- 9, Matthew Wright/Stephen Lloyd, Subaru Impreza, D
- 10, Deane Buist/Karl Celeste, Ford Escort Mk2, C
- 13, Sean Haggarty/Shane Reynolds, Suzuki Swift Subuki, D
- 14, Harri Silcock/Mark Greenwood, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6, D
- 16, Thomas Paul/Bridget Airey, Subaru Impreza H6, H
- 17, Josh Keighley/Neill Woolley, Subaru Impreza H6, H
- 20, Josh Silcock/Ben Leech, Ford Fiesta R2, B
- 21, James Macdonald/Josh Edwards, Subaru Impreza H6, H
- 22, Kevin Laird/Aled Jones, Subaru Impreza H6, H
- 24, Willy Hawes/Veronica Penny, Toyota Celica, D
- 30, Andrew Sim/Caleb Sim, Ford Escort Mk2, C
- 36, Nigel King/Jaimee King, Mitsubishi Lancer, E
- 37, Richard Galley/Anna Robinson, BMW 320i, C
- 38, Dave Ollis/Gemma Thomas, Subaru Impreza, D
- 39, Simon Ellis/Tony Witheridge, Honda Civic, B
- 46, Brayden Sim/James McIver, BMW 316i, C
- 47, Nic McCallum/Anna McCallum, Ford Escort, C
- 48, Ian Warren/Matt Priest, Suzuki Swift Cup Car, B
- 51, Jak Elliott/Blair Brosnan, Toyota Vitz, A
- 55, Tom Milliken/Chris Cunningham, Subaru Impreza H6, H
- 58, Mike Matheson/Kevin Brockie, Toyota Vitz, A
- 67, Pat Norris/Geoff Parr, Toyota Corolla AE86, B
- 72, Mauro Balzarini/Sam Coulthard, Toyota Starlet, A
Header Image: TerryMarshall
