Quentin Palmer and Noel Moloney (Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo) have continued their winning-way taking victory in the 2026 Newstead Lodge Rally of Waitomo. The current Hawkeswood Mining North Island Rally Series (NIRS) champion won all six Special Stages based in the Piopio township, with Ben Huband/Dayna Kiekebosch (Subaru Impreza) second followed by William Menzies/Doug Dolan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6).
“Pleased with the result,” said Palmer. “First overall even after a little tie up with a fence in SS3 which we could have avoided. I spun and thought I could boot it which didn’t work so had to back out and keep going. I didn’t think we would win that one (stage).”
Palmer’s competition first came from Gavin Feast/Hamish Feast (Subaru Impreza) who posted the second quickest times in the first three Special Stages before retiring with a mechanical issue. This handed the attack to Huband who was keen to get some points after recording a DNF (did not finish) at the opening Vantage Windows & Doors Possum Bourne Memorial Rally in March.
“Waitomo is always such a good event to be part of as it is so laid back,” said Palmer. “They are good roads, nice and flowing.”
As well as the competition for overall NIRS points there are also eight separate Classes competing for driver and co-driver titles.
While Blair Richardson/Nikki Sim (Ford Escort Mk1) were first home in Class A (2WD:0-1300cc), Darryl McManus/Maddy Buhr (Toyota Vitz) still lead the category having finished second in class to accompany their Round 1 points.
Rising star Sam Broadbent and Matthew Broadbent (Toyota Corolla FX GT) have continued their NIRS title defence again leading Class B (2WD 1301-1600cc) home ahead of Andrew Lowe/Ian Barr (Toyota AE101). The Broadbent siblings were also awarded the NIRS “Drive of the Day” trophy and a $200 Winmax Brake Pad voucher sponsored by Paddon Racing Group by finishing sixth overall.
Up and coming 16-year-old Khalid Mason/Sara Mason (Ford Fiesta ST150) won Class C (1601-2000cc 2WD) and have extended their lead over Steve Dill/Adrian Sutton (Nissan Pulsar) and Dale James/Kim Raggett (Ford Fiesta ST150).
A fourth overall for Charlie Evans/Aroha Matangi (Mazda RX7) sees them third in the very competitive Class D (2WD 2000cc and over). Dave Strong/Rob Scott (Honda Civic) still lead despite finishing third behind Tony Differ/Jayson Stringer in their EX Lancer Turbo. Phillip Broadbent (Toyota Starlet) dropped out after SS3 with a mechanical problem.
Andrew Keighley/Martin Hutton (Ford Escort Mk2) have taken over the lead in Class E (Classic 2WD) with Chris Alexander/Jackson Foster (Ford Cortina) in second while previous class leader, Brent Taylor (Ford Escort Mk2) who didn’t take the start line, holds third equal with Glenn Cameron/Brad Cameron (Mazda RX7) who were first home.
Palmer continues to lead Class F from Mason Grimmer (Mazda 323 4WD) who didn’t start the rally due to engine problems.
Having finished second overall and first in Class G (4WD 2001 and over), Ben Huband/Dayna Kiekebosch (Subaru Impreza) move into second equal with Dale Perry/Christian Iggulden (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) while Carlin Leong (Subaru Impreza) continues to lead after rival Gavin Feast (Subaru Impreza) retired after SS3.
Kingsley Jones’ (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo3) retirement on the last stage handed the Class I (4WD Pre 1996) lead to Chris Burke/Stephen Taylor (Toyota Celica GT). First home was Shaun Wade/Haylee Wade (Mitsubishi Mirage 4WD) who sits second equal with Jones.
For the third NIRS round teams will switch to tarmac mode in tackling the SBT Group Taranaki Tarmac Rally 27 June 2026 run by the South Taranaki & Taranaki Car Clubs and based out of New Plymouth.
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.
Overall Points – 2026 Hawkeswood Mining North Island Rally Series (Top 10)
1/ Quentin Palmer 80
2/ Carlin Leong 54
3/ Dave Strong 40
4= Ben Huband 34
4= Mason Grimmer 34
4= Tony Differ 34
7/ William Menzies 30
8/ Andrew Keighley 28
9= Charlie Evans 27
9= Gavin Feast 27
NIRS Round 2 Results Newstead Lodge Rally of Waitomo
1/ Quentin Palmer/Noel Moloney, Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo, F
2/ Ben Huband/Dayna Kiekebosch, Subaru Impreza, G
3/ William Menzies/Doug Dolan, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6, G
4/ Charlie Evans/Aroha Matangi, Mazda RX7, D
5/ Carlin Leong/Nathan Roa, Subaru Impreza WRX, G
6/ Sam Broadbent/Matthew Broadbent, Toyota Corolla FX GT, B
7/ Tony Differ/Jayson Stringer, Mitsubishi Lancer EX Turbo, D
8/ Dave Strong/Rob Scott, Honda Civic, D
9/ Dale Perry/Christian Iggulden, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6, G
10/ Glenn Cameron/Brad Cameron, Mazda RX7, E
11/ Shaun Wade/Haylee Wade, Mitsubishi Mirage 4WD, I
12/ Marty Bertelsen/Matisse Bertelsen, Toyota Corolla, D
13/ Khalid Mason/Sara Mason, Ford Fiesta ST150, C
14/ Andrew Keighley/Martin Hutton, Ford Escort Mk2, E
15/ Stephen Dill/Adrian Sutton, Nissan Pulsar, C
16/ Nick Flanagan/Neil Fallows, Peugeot 205, E
17/ Dale James/Kim Raggett, Ford Fiesta ST150, C
18/ Chris Burke/Stephen Taylor, Toyota Celica GT4, I
19/ Blair Richardson/Nikki Sim, Ford Escort Mk1, A
20/ Chris Alexander/Jackson Foster, Ford Cortina, E
21/ Andrew Lowe/Ian Barr, Toyota Corolla, B
22/ Darryl McManus/Maddy Buhr, Toyota Vitz, A
dnf Gavin Feast/Hamish Feast, Subaru Impreza, G
dnf Kingsley Jones/Jess Jones, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3, I
dnf Phillip Broadbent/Jean-Paul van Der Meys, Toyota Starlet, D
2026 Hawkeswood Mining North Island Rally Series
Round 1: Vantage Windows & Doors Possum Bourne Memorial Rally – 21 March 2026 – ACC, PCC & SACC JV partnership
Round 2: Newstead Lodge Rally of Waitomo – 17 May 2026 – Hamilton Car Club
Round 3: SBT Group Taranaki Tarmac Rally – 27 June 2026 – South Taranaki & Taranaki Car Clubs
Round 4: BP Rally Taumarunui – 8 August 2026 – DCC, TDCC & STCC JV
Round 5: Battery Town Rally Bay of Plenty (NZRC) – 31 October 2026 – Motorsport BOP
Round 6: Maramarua Forest Rally – 14 November 2026 – ACC, PCC, SACC JV
Prepared by SB Networks on behalf of the North Island Rally Series
For more information contact Benjamin Carrell on 0272 444 651 or via e-mail on benjamin@sundaybusiness.co.nz
Or Marty Roestenburg (NIRS Coordinator) on 021 943517 or via email martyroestenburgnz@gmail.com
