The North Island Rally Series (NIRS) is thrilled to announce a dynamic two-year partnership with Rally Drive NZ, an iconic rally driving school in the heart of Maramarua Forest, south of Auckland. This collaboration, championed by owners Sam and Emma Miller, brings forth an exciting array of opportunities to enrich the experiences of competitors and supporters.
Empowering Volunteers and Novice Drivers
At each of the five NIRS rounds in 2025, an outstanding volunteer will be honoured with a “hot lap” voucher, offering them a first hand taste of rally excitement. Additionally, two half-day test vouchers will be awarded to deserving new NIRS competitors, providing them with invaluable track time to hone their skills. The two youngest NIRS competitors will also receive full-day test vouchers, fostering the development of emerging talent in the rally community.
To have Rally Drive NZ onboard is a natural fit for the NIRS. We share common goals for the growth and future of rallying, and I know the lucky recipients will greatly appreciate this gesture from Sam and Emma.
Marty Roestenburg
Photo By: Geoff Rider
Rally Drive NZ: The Ultimate Motorsport Experience
Rally Drive NZ offers a spectrum of adrenaline-pumping experiences tailored to various skill levels:
- Rally Experience Course: Designed for beginners, this course allows participants to take the wheel for three exhilarating laps on a 5km gravel stage in Maramarua Forest, guided by an experienced rally tutor.
- Hot Seat Thrill Ride: For those seeking a surge of excitement, this option places participants in the passenger seat of a Mitsubishi Evo Rally Car, reaching speeds up to 150kph on gravel terrain.
- Rally School Weekend: A Motorsport NZ-accredited course ideal for individuals aspiring to delve deeper into rallying. This comprehensive weekend covers safety, navigation skills, driving techniques, and ample hands-on driving sessions, culminating in a high-speed run with an instructor.
We are excited to support the NIRS this year with some prizes to help promote and support the Marshalls and Competitors of the sport. Looking forward to supporting the rallying community in this years NIRS and next years NIRS rallies.
Sam and Emma Miller (Rally Drive NZ)
Maramarua Forest: A Rally Haven
The home of Rally Drive NZ, Maramarua Forest has been a staple of New Zealand rallying for decades, featuring in Rally New Zealand and the NZ Rally Championship. Its fast gravel roads, tricky cambers, and tight forestry sections have challenged both local and international stars, including Colin McRae, Richard Burns, and Sébastien Loeb when the WRC visited New Zealand.
Maramarua is the holy grail of rallying in New Zealand. The terrain, the challenge—it’s where you go to sharpen your skills and experience real forest rally driving.
Marty Roestenburg
Even today, top teams, like Hayden Paddon, test here to fine-tune setups for national and international rallies. With this NIRS-Rally Drive NZ partnership, more drivers will get the chance to experience one of New Zealand’s most iconic rally locations.
A Commitment to Rallying’s Future
This partnership underscores a shared commitment to nurturing the future of rallying in New Zealand. By investing in volunteers and emerging drivers, Rally Drive NZ and NIRS are fostering a culture of growth, learning, and appreciation within the motorsport community. As the 2025 season approaches, the anticipation builds for the exhilarating experiences that await both competitors and supporters, thanks to this exciting collaboration.
Prize details
2025
- 1 Hot lap voucher gifted to an outstanding volunteer per NIRS Round
- 1 Half-day test voucher gifted to new NIRS competitor at Rally Coromandel and Rally Waitomo
- 1 Full-day test voucher gifted to the youngest NIRS competitor at Ruarangi Road and Rally BOP.
2026
- 1 Hot lap voucher gifted to an outstanding volunteer per NIRS Round
- 1 Half-day test voucher gifted to new NIRS competitor at the proposed North Waikato Rally and Maramarua Rally.
- 1 Full-day test voucher gifted to the youngest NIRS competitor (that hasn’t already received this voucher) at the proposed Maramarua rally and one other round to be confirmed.