Palmer cleans up the Taranaki Tarmac Rally; increases lead in NI Rally Series

Quentin Palmer (Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo) continued to stamp his mark on the 2025 Hawkeswood Mining North Island Rally Series (NIRS) after winning every stage of the SBT Group Taranaki Tarmac one-day rally held on Saturday and taking overall victory. Second NIRS competitor home was William Menzies/Doug Dolan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) ahead of Bradley Stewart/Oliver Drake (Subaru Impreza).

“Definitely thrilled to take the win,” commented Palmer. “With Cameron (Ross) and David (Rogers) as (overall) favourites I didn’t expect to do well, so was surprised to find I won the opening stage ahead of them.”

With two Special Stages cancelled (SS 3 and 4) Palmer and co-driver Dayna Kiekebosch went on to win all seven other competitive stages finishing 1min 34 sec ahead of Marcus van Klink/Matt Richards (Mazda RX8).

Competing in his first tarmac rally, Menzies came home a solid second in the NIRS standings and third overall. He was also awarded the “Driver of the Day” trophy.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect,” said Menzies. “It was completely different as my car is set up quite tight for gravel. I was on rally tyres which worked out in the end. I heard rain falling in the middle of the night so was confident it was going to work.

“There were a couple of dry stages where the car was moving around. Other than that, it felt great as it was quite wet at times, so it worked out. Thrilled with the result and really encouraged by it.”

The competition for the final podium position was close between Stewart and Charlie Evans (Mazda RX7). The latter was holding on to third until he suffered a rally-ending mechanical with one Special Stage to complete, handing the place to Stewart. Fourth were Chris Ramsay/Amy Hudson (Toyota Corolla APR2) ahead of Ben Huband/Corinne Watson (Subaru Impreza).

The SBT Group Taranaki Tarmac Rally incorporated the second round of the NIRS which saw Palmer extend his lead to 34-points over Huband and Menzies who sit second equal with Dave Strong in fourth followed by Stewart and Phil Campbell.

“We must have got the (tarmac) setup right,” said Palmer who moved up to the Skoda Fabia Rally2 car this season. “We got some good advice heading into the rally and I’m feeling more comfortable in the car, although there is plenty more to learn. It is my first rally win so thrilled to have achieved that.”

In the Class results, John Whooley (Honda Civic) has extended his lead in Class C (2WD 1601-2000) while in Class D (2WD 2001 and over), Charlie Evans’ (Mazda RX7) retirement saw Ramsay take maximum points while Jeff Torkington (Toyota MR2) retains his lead.

In the Classic Class E, 18-year-old novice and recipient of the RallyDrive New Zealand full day testing voucher, Kyle Percival (Ford Escort Mk2), also extends his lead over Nick Flanagan. Palmer continues to lead Class F (4WD 1601-2000) while Ben Huband (Subaru Impreza) has had his lead narrowed to just three-points over Menzies in Class G (4WD 2001 and over). Bradley Stewart (Subaru Impreza) moves to 13-points ahead of Chris Burke in Class I (4WD Pre 1996).

Both drivers and teams take a break before the third round of the Hawkeswood Mining North Island Rally Series on 23 August 2025 at Rally Coromandel.