Rallysprint Series Mid-Point

RALLY ECOSYSTEM

Mid-point Arrival, Rounds Locked in

We’ve bedded in 3 rounds of the 26’ Northern Rallysprint Series and we’re stoked to announce we’re back on track to produce a healthy 6 round series this year, ripper! It’s been a bit touch and go with 2 of the rounds, ending up only having to forfeit 1 of 7, well, you’ve gotta be happy with that. And yes, you do get your drop a round for points this year.

Round dates can be a bit fluid so thanks a bunch for persevering with us throughout changes. Some clubs tackle challenges resulting in date changes or worst case – cancellations. It’s not ideal but we’re used of rolling with the punches, adapting to situations, shifting and bending and trying our darndest to work with clubs to produce a full and exciting series year-on-year.

There’s massive hard yaka that goes on behind the scenes, what it unveils though is swathes of amazing volunteers around the country who turn it on to make these events happen, local communities that get behind the drive and support events, spectators perched on fences and corners who wave and cheer, farm owners who allow us access to spectate and sometimes bring out tractors for recoveries, then, there’s you. This series is imbedded with the very best. You’re loyal and faithful, you support us, you back us, you are the glue that keeps this incredible drive going. It’s hard to keep it real and fresh to keep you wanting more, you come though, time and time again. In essence, this series is its people that makes it prosper.

Charlie Evans & Jenny Webley

Checking my computer event file history, I’ve been intertwined in series admin affairs for 13 yrs now, past an actual decade, all be it nothing compared to some of our long service rally volunteers. My faithful partner in crime/my father reached out to our pioneer Steve Russell sometime around 2013 offering my assistance with ‘series computer stuff’, thanks Dad. In reality, Steve and Tracy gave an incredible amount to this series, full-time jobs and full-time volunteers behind the scenes to keep up the pace of one of the longest running motorsport series in the country, wow. Some years back they announced they were leaving AKL and moving down country. Who’s going to look after this thing they said, thumbs on heads .. actual tumbleweeds, seriously. We continue today with a key, core group who keeps this series churning.

As the events roll up, it’s pretty humbling being able to race alongside your rally heroes, and many there are. They smile and have a yarn but be mindful to keep up the pace, these rally sprinters don’t dawdle. Our Rallysprint events offer a second to none social motorsport enthusiast platform. The events are part of a greater rally ecosystem and are a step away from full stage-to-stage rallies. Aside from racing alongside rally royalty, there’s s nothing better than hightailing it to some of the most beautiful places in the country, sitting on the start line of the road of choice, looking over at your mate in the silly seat, blipping the accelerator then burning off the start line into a rural rollercoaster stage.

We’re kiwi rally drivers, that’s what we do.

Round 3, Ruarangi Rd, 7-Jun

Kieran Cornelius

The rally gods were clearly favourable for Northland Car Clubs round 3 as the day awakened under crisp blue skies. The pits snaked far up the start of Ruarangi Road on the roadside, the long line all the way to the finish line tent. The reward for the long walk to the top though, was the best tasting coffee/hot chocolates and food one could ask for, we’re very grateful. Some were ambitious and nestled their parking in a roadside paddock, I’m a rural girl and hesitant for such convenient parking, always go walkies in the paddock to check the underfoot before driving or parking in the paddock, fundamental rule.

While we’re all familiar with the Ruarangi Rd reputation, you arrive thinking you’ve got the cat in the bag if you’ve done this stage before and pose you know the road well, the terrain on the reconnaissance run reminds you again that the road might bite. Funny, I might be getting older, but the roads seem to get narrower every time I race these infamous northland ridgelines.

Dayna Kiekebosch & Alex Parkin

This round brought an eager field of 33, about the consistency of previous rounds. We’re running a bit leaner in 2026 to previous years but we’re still tracking well with a good selection racing. I love seeing another loud, noisy rotary Mazda added to the mix, and Carl Adnitt’s unassuming black RX8 is pretty wild. Adding to the fast class and a big welcome back is Matt Jensen in his Mazda 2, great to have Matt back on our shores racing, another premier racer is Mr Cox in his stunning Audi Quattro, a car that demands attention as it pulses the start line and darts through the countryside with ease but aggression.

Round 1 was a bit of a test the traction kind of run for some. The pace is still phenomenal, we all pin our ears back when it counts as the overall top 16 eliminations dictate the shuffling order for the next round. Charlie Evans wasn’t getting left behind laying down 2^nd fastest time and whilst we usually see Tony Young in the 1300cc Datsun pushing hard for the elimination bracket, he experienced engine issues so Mark Bradley happily sling shotted his 1300cc Datsun to make the elimination cut. Go the mighty 1300cc’s.

Top 16 Eliminations: Carl Adnitt/Mazda RX8, Matt Jensen/Mazda 2, Charlie Evans/RX7, Jay Pittams/Subaru Impreza, Ant Te Rito/Honda Civic, Ben Huband/Subaru Impreza, McCrae Sloper/BMW 328i, Phil Broadbent/Toyota Starlet, Tim Smith/Subaru Impreza, Dave Strong/Honda Civic, Carlin Leong/Subaru Impreza, Lee Stringer/Mitsubishi Mirage, Kieran Cornelius/Nissan Pulsar, Steve Cox/Audi Quattro, Brad Hill/BWM 325i, Mark Bradley/Datsun 1200.

We like a banter post run, which is now difficult with a leaner field. The runs flow through faster leaving little time for traditional wind downs and a bit of sustenance. Straight into round 2, it’s now time to attack corners harder and hit crests with more confidence, ha, easier for some. The spectator junction required a precise line, DC and DGW, and the ! corner a couple down from that was rough as guts. Also, a DGW or it’ll get a bit hairy very quickly. Road markers we seemingly non-existent on the flow down from that DGW corner, graciously unscathed on run 1, and annihilated in run 2. Flatten them down for a better line, thanks top runners.

Steve Cox

Class D, 2001cc & over, had healthy numbers and Phil Broadbent was able to flex the go pedal with good run times. Class B welcomed back Graeme Barr/Suzuki Swift, happily grooving with fellow class racers Simon Rabbidge/Suzuki Swift and Cam Mckay/Toyota Starlet. Ant Te Rito/Honda Civic was stamping the Honda badge at the lead of class C while Jay Pittams/Subaru Impreza was playing cat and mouse with Lee Stringer/Mitsubishi Mirage in class G. Class H had 3 competitors, but Craig Tickle/BMW 2002 wasn’t going to let Chris Alexander/Cortina in too close of proximity.

Top 8 eliminations: Carl Adnitt/Mazda RX8, Matt Jensen/Mazda 2, Charlie Evans/RX7, Jay Pittams/Subaru Impreza, Ant Te Rito/Honda Civic, Ben Huband/Subaru Impreza, McCrae Sloper/BMW 328i, Phil Broadbent/Toyota Starlet.

Just after midday we were commencing run 3 and being told from the start line it would likely be our last run, the road was cutting up, big sigh. You take a sort of all or nothing approach knowing you mightn’t get another run, you’re in the zone, wanting to refine and keep pushing. It’s addictive, the raw adrenaline that comes from this road, would you just keep lining up run after run if it wasn’t eliminations and in class order. I’d be like the kid that keeps looping round to go down the slide again.

4 had broken into the under 4 min mark, there was the finest timings between placings, and this is where the battles fire up as we’re all out there to push our limits and keep pacing with the group. Carl Adnitt held a good 5 second lead to Matt Jensen with Charlie Evans hunting, 3 Mazda’s in podium positions – how often does that happen eh?

Phil Broadbent

Attrition had worked through knocking out a few round to round from the start of the day, there were no class A cars left, and Al Greer had issues with his Ford Escort Mk2 leaving him retired. Alex Johnstone/Subaru Legacy was back in to fight the fight after a DNF in run 2.

The mid to late fielders are having the time of their life in class battles, even those out of contention, who cares, just get out and go for a boogie. I was in a Subaru Impreza this round, the old Subaru’s are definitely growing on me but then again, Im a bit like Tina from Turners, cars, cars, cars, they’re all good.

Watch corner 2 after the junction and large rock boulders, then just pin it up and over the crest, yee haa.

Top 4 eliminations: Carl Adnitt/Mazda RX8, Matt Jensen/Mazda 2, Charlie Evans/RX7, Jay Pittams/Subaru Impreza

We finished our run and called it a day, well, that’s what we thought. People were deflated, we wanted another run. Whispers sparked and ran down from the top of hill pits parking, apparently, maybe, there was to be another run. That message didn’t get far enough though as 6 had cars on trailers and gear off, they were done for the day. Shame, as we come so far to race the famous road. Carl Adnitts Mazda sparked into life, the beacon for those left ready to go.

Waiting at the start line, likely for the road inspections to complete, it’s go time for run 4. Carlin Leong hit the under 4 min mark with Ben Huband and 4 others. Simon Rabbige trumped Graeme Barr in class B, Ant Te Rito finished ahead of Gavin Feast in class C, Charlie Evans, McCrae Sloper and Brian Best all had a healthy run 4 for class D, Carl Adnitt, Matt Jensen and Carlin Leong haggled for class E completions. Jay Pittams, Lee Stringer and Chris Burke aced their day in class G and Craig Tickle and Chris Alexander had a smashing final run. Most impressive finish I reckon to Craig Ticke with full commitment and a dust cloud, Suzie admitted to a few cuss words. Commiserations to Kieran Cornelius having a roll over incident at the spectator junction. Seriously Kieran, impressive photos, you don’t often crash with a sequence of stills. We hope you get back out there soon.

Overall Winners: Carl Adnitt/Mazda RX8, Matt Jensen/Mazda 2, Charlie Evans/RX7

A true Mazda moment.

Some time was spent retrieving cars parked in convenient pits paddock parking. Steve Cox must have parked in the softest spot, this is the one time a Safari fails to retrieve and only the might of tractor could get him out.

Prizegiving at Northland events is always hospitable, Northland what a great event!

Next up: Motorsport Bay of Plenty hosting Mangatoi Rd 19-Jul

Check out the event regs and ENTER NOW

End, Nikki Sim

Mid-point Arrival, Rounds Locked in

Round 3, Ruarangi Rd, 7-Jun

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