First round honours to Palmer at Ruarangi Rd Rallysprint

Quentin Palmer (Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo) has taken first round honours as the 2025 Hawkeswood Mining North Island Rally Series (NIRS) got underway on Sunday, 11 May 2025, with the Ruarangi Rd Rallysprint run by the Northland Car Club.  Phil Campbell (Ford Fiesta AP4) finished runner-up up gaining valuable points for defending his 2024 NIRS title, with Ben Huband (Subaru Impreza) third.

“It’s been a surprising day,” commented Palmer, who recently switched from his older Mitsubishi Evo 5 to the Skoda Fabia.  “I didn’t think we’d win first time out in this car.  I thought Phil (Campbell) would be gone but he wasn’t, and I found myself on top of the timesheets.”

Competitors faced four timed runs over the 7.0km Ruarangi Rd, Mangapai Rallysprint course (South of Whangarei) in a South to North anticlockwise direction.  

“It was a very fast, cool piece of road, quite cresty and one that rewards the brave,” said Palmer.  “The new car is a new level above what I was previously used to.  Its driveability is fantastic, and it goes, stops, and turns incredibly well.  There is certainly more speed and time in there once I get more used to it.”

Tony Young (Datsun 1200) took out Class A (2WD 0-1300cc), while Mike Goldsbury (Toyota Corolla) was fastest in Class B (2WD 1301-1600cc).

John Whooley (Honda Civic) finished ahead of Kieran Comelius (Nissan Pulsar) in Class C (2WD 1601-2000) and in Class D (2WD 2001 and over) Charlie Evans (Mazda RX7) had a commanding win ahead of Jeff Torkington (Toyota MR2) and finished fifth overall.

In the Classic Class E, Kyle Percival (Ford Escort Mk2) finished ahead of Nick Flanagan (Peugeot 205).  Palmer also picked up Class F (4WD 1601-2000) honours while third overall Ben Huband (Subaru Impreza) won Class G (4WD 2001 and over) ahead of Dave Strong (Ford Fiesta S2000) who was competing in the NZ Rally Championship round, South Canterbury Rally, the day before in the mid-Canterbury region.  Having flown back to the North Island Saturday evening, Strong finished fourth overall.

Jay Pittmans (Subaru Impreza) took out Class I (4WD Pre 1996) ahead of Bradley Stewart (Subaru Impreza).

Drivers and teams now prepare for their first tarmac event of the season.  The SBT Group Taranaki Tarmac is timed to go 12 July 2025 based in New Plymouth.