With the inaugural 2023 series a rousing success, it looked like the 2024 edition of the NIRS would be bigger and better, with a raft of early registrations, new events and a new sponsor in the form of Generator Rental Services.

Then it all went wrong.

The devastating loss of Brooklyn and Tyson in the opening round of the rallysprint season left most of us numb and saw Rally Dargaville postponed while we came to terms with the tragedy.

The cancellation of the Piakonui round then saw us scrambling for a replacement so South Auckland CC must be commended for offering a cool little event on the spectacular Jacks Ridge course in May. Reigning champions Phil Campbell and Brianna Little showed they intended to retain their title with a comfortable win over Todd Bawden and Haydn Mackenzie, with Quentin Palmer acknowledged as Drive of the Day for his 4th overall against the more modern machinery.

The series made a welcome return to the tarmac roads around South Taranaki for Round 2 in early July, with the field showing the usual influx of asphalt specialists. Campbell Rallysport were again the first registered NIRS team (after outright victor Cameron Ross) with Quentin Palmer picking up 2nd placed points. Charlie Evans’ Civic finished first 2wd in a reminder you don’t need big horsepower to achieve big results.

July also saw Round 3 held on the South Kaipara roads around Dargaville and what a revelation this event was. A shakedown at the local quarry, a party atmosphere at the service park and a compact route on glorious stages had the competitors waxing lyrical. NZRC front runners Ben Hunt, Todd Bawden and Jack Hawkeswood filled the podium but Quentin Plamer took 2nd place NIRS points in the absence of Phil Campbell. This saw Quentin and codriver Noel Moloney move into the NIRS lead at the halfway point, with Rally Dargaville being awarded the Event of the Year.

October provided the final two rounds of the 2024 GRS series: the first in conjunction with MBoP’s NZRC event based in Tauranga, and the series-ending Waitomo clubman event held by Hamilton Car Club.

Hayden Paddon added to his list of rally victories at the Bay, but the NIRS finishers were in the familiar order of Campbell, Bawden, Mackenzie and Palmer. Phil showed the level of competition at NIRS level can put you in good stead for national honours, finishing 5th outright in the NZRC field (while regaining the lead in the North Island points table). Ben Huband won the Drive of the Day in his ex Mason Subaru Impreza.

Campbell and Little then put the title firmly back into their grasp with an outright win at Waitomo, from the persistent Palmer/Moloney crew and a career-best finish from Phil Broadbent. Carlin Leong also achieved a breakthrough result in 4th overall (and Drive of the Day), returning from a big crash earlier in the season. This was particularly satisfying as Carlin had been one of a group of rookies identified and mentored by the NIRS committee during the season.

The end of season prizegiving was a fabulous celebration of Clubman and Regional Rallying in the North Island, with over $10,000 of trophies and prizes being awarded by MSNZ president Deborah Day and Rally NZ Chairman Peter Johnston.

2024 was a tough season, that started so badly yet ended on a strong note with crews enjoying good roads, good friends and the sheer joy of competing in a relaxed atmosphere in one of the finest sports in the country.

Bring on 2025.