Classic Rally Championship added to 2026 New Zealand Rally Championship

MotorSport New Zealand has introduced a Classic Rally Championship for the 2026 Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship, establishing a dedicated national platform for classic rally cars to compete.

The new championship, will also be known as ‘Category 6’, has been developed to attract classic two-wheel-drive rally machinery to the national stage, building on the proven technical regulations created and refined by the organisers of the internationally renowned Otago Rally. For many years, these regulations have drawn competitors from around the world to New Zealand to compete alongside the country’s highly regarded classic rally drivers.

Category 6 will be contested across all six rounds of the 2026 NZRC, with competitors eligible to fight for Category honours while also being classified within the overall Championship standings.

MotorSport New Zealand President, Deborah Day, said the introduction of the Classic Rally Championship both honours the sport’s past and strengthens its future.

“The introduction of Category 6 recognises the strong and passionate contingent of classic competitors who are such an important part of rallying in New Zealand,” said Day.

“Classic rallying has long been a cornerstone of our sport, and it is fantastic to now provide a dedicated national championship platform for these iconic cars and their drivers.”

The Classic Rally Championship marks an exciting new chapter for rallying in New Zealand, further celebrating the heritage, spectacle, and competitive spirit of classic rally cars.

MotorSport New Zealand and the New Zealand Rally Championship team warmly welcome classic rally competitors to be part of this new national Championship category and look forward to seeing these iconic cars competing across the country in 2026.

Following this addition, final regulations and Articles for the 2026 New Zealand Rally Championship are being finalised and are scheduled to be published prior to the end of the week.