Jack Stokes/Hayden Graves (Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo) have come home in first place, winning the second round of the 2026 Mainland Rally Championship (MRC) in Otago over the weekend. The MRC round took place on Day 1 of the two-day Otago Rally.
Second home was brother and Stokes Motorsport teammate Robbie Stokes/Andy Sarandis (Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo), with Deane Buist/Karl Celeste (Ford Escort RS1800) in third.
“It’s been awesome and a really fun day,” said Stokes.
“The car has been running like a dream while the roads have just been insane. “
Both Stokes brothers entered the MRC round at the last moment, and initially it was Robbie who set the fastest time on the opening Special Stage 1, holding the lead into the first service stop in the township of Lawrence.
“It’s been a battle all day to be honest,” said Robbie Stokes at the end of the event.
We’ve had a few issues with the car and a few mistakes on my part, and just haven’t been feeling it for whatever reason. We are still here, and the car is still straight. It is what it is.”
Third-placed Deane Buist (Ford Escort RS1800) has now moved into first overall on the MRC leaderboard. Heading into the round, it was Dylan Thomson (Skoda Fabia Rally 2) in first ahead of James McIver (Subaru Impreza H6) with Buist in third. However, both Thomson and McIver retired out of the rally, both going off-road in Special Stage 5.
“The day has been good, as has the car,” said Buist.
“The dust has been a bit of a problem as we have been pushing it all day.”
Seven separate MRC Class titles for both drivers and co-drivers are being contested over the six-round season.
Jak Elliott/Blair Brosnan (Toyota Echo) were first home in Class A (2WD 0-1300cc) while Josh Silcock (Ford Fiesta R2) continues to lead Class B (2WD 1301-1600cc) from Pat Morris (Toyota Corolla AE86), although it was Ian Warren/William Ross (Nissan Pulsar) who were first home in the category.
“We’ve had a few problems (today), but that is rallying,” said Pat Norris.
“Nothing a hammer and an axe won’t fix.”
Buist was first in Class C (2WD 1600cc and over) followed by Andrew Sim (Fors Escort Mk2) and Richard Galley (BMW E30) while Jack Stokes won Class D (4WD) from brother Robbie with Harri Silcock (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) in third.
Nigel King (Mitsubishi Lancer) continues to lead Class E (Pre 2000 4WD) ahead of Hayden Shakespeare (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3) with Nathan Frazer (Subaru Impreza) in third.
First in Class F (2WD Classic), Ally Mackay (Ford Escort Mk1), takes over the lead with Mark Parsons (Triumph TR7) in second.
“It’s been a challenging day with a few issues,” said Mackay.
“We had the water pump out before the rally, and it continued to create issues with cooling in the first few stages. We changed it at the service, so we were five minutes late getting out.
“Then the timing belt wasn’t put on right and gave us some more issues over the next few stages, but we were able to nurse it through. We got that fixed and have been trying to catch up since then. We’re here at the end of the day and scored a few points.”
With McIver out in SS5, this opened the door for Thomas Paul/Bridget Airey (Subaru Impreza H6) to win Class H, finishing fifth overall.
“Had a really good day,” said Thomas Paul.
“The roads are so cool here, and we have had so much fun. We had a good scrap with James (McIver), but unfortunately, he made a small mistake. It’s been fun, and the H6 are a good class and good competition.”
The third round takes place on Sunday, 31 May 2026. Rally Canterbury will also double as the second round of the NZ Rally Championship.
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.
Header Image: Euan Cameron
