International Rally of Whangarei

03/06/2026

✅𝗣𝗿𝗲-𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸𝘀

In the coming weeks the team will head out to check the route and the road-book for this years event. While we know there were updates / fixes that are needed from IROW25, but we were wondering if you wanted any further information, such as:

1️⃣ Where the best pies are, we are happy to help ascertain this over the day
2️⃣ Good spots for a Instagram selfie for "Rally" posts to keep your social game going while on event
3️⃣ Should you need a ti**le, where can you stop with confidence, cause lets face it some toilets are "scary" concrete and cold
4️⃣ Where the streaming will be so you can put on the show for the cameras and relating back to point 2, your social fans
5️⃣ Any famous spots to look out for, esp Buists Ditch, Turners Corner (there are many), or Emma's Drop

Let us know, and we will see how we go.

📌 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 are with MSNZ and we are hoping to have them back soon so we can open entries. Watch this space.

👉𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗶 - 25-27 September 2026

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼𝗼𝗻.

15/05/2026

✏ 𝗣𝗿𝗲-𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

To help with your planning, here are 🔟 key things to think about:

1️⃣ 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗰𝗲 is Thursday / Friday, the same as in 2025. Make sure you get your snack bag ready and a big bottle of fluids. Also be sure to wave to the locals as you pass thru the stages.
2️⃣𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 is Thursday night - attendance is compulsory but if you can't make it them please let us know - we are pretty reasonable but we also want a good turnout. We will probably have the Audi there again this year but with a For Sale sign - anyone interested?
3️⃣𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 is still Friday arvo. Any team taking part we request you take one event nominated person for a ride to assist with promoting the event locally. Remember it is shakedown and don't do a Jay Sharp.
4️⃣𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟮 are the same route as 2025. So Saturday is a day to pin your ears back and really go for it, Sunday is the more twistier stages.
5️⃣𝗣𝗼𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗦 will be late Saturday arvo - if there are event delays there is a possibility that you could be running in diminished light (aka Dusk). Plan accordingly, eat lots of carrots or make sure your lights are ok.
6️⃣ 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 changes over on Saturday night... so watch your timings on Sunday. Remember the ⏰'s will "Spring Forward" by an hour over night.
7️⃣𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 is really preferred for all teams other than for Cat1 teams. Cars running on Saturday or Sunday, please organise the remote scrutineering checks pre-event.
8️⃣𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 - book early as that place you like is likely to be liked by someone else too.
9️⃣𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 like 2025 - Pohe / Dargaville / Ruawai plus a few refuels. Try and team up with other teams to make it easier if you are a small team.
🔟There is an 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 offer coming soon - so keep an eye out for it.

👉𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗶 - 25-27 September 2026

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼𝗼𝗻.

29/04/2026

✅𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗜𝗥𝗢𝗪𝟮𝟲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲.

If you are a clubman's entrant and you aren't interested in overall glory, then for 2026 we are going to let you choose which day you want to do.

👉A 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 at IROW26 can choose to compete on the Kaipara stages on Saturday, or run the Whangarei stages on Sunday.

Regulations are being worked on at the moment.

🗺 𝗜𝗥𝗢𝗪𝟮𝟲 𝗜𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 & 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗽𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘄.

27/04/2026

𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘

As we explored a fresh route for 2026, the challenging weather over the past few months has had a significant impact. Unfortunately, two key roads planned for the new stages are currently impassable and will remain so for the foreseeable future.

As a result, the 2026 rally will return to the proven 2025 stages, along with the same format for the super stage and pre-event activities. While this is not the direction we had hoped for, the safety and wellbeing of our local communities must come first.

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼𝗼𝗻.

03/04/2026

Remembering Ken Block… we hosted his team at IROW and this photo is just sensational. Corners, camber, Ken Block (and Alex Gelsomino) and the stunning scenery, oh and that flame!!!

Remembering Ken on this 4/3 Day, with one of our most memorable shots, while winning Rally Whangarei - the first round of the 2015 .

You can watch the live stream on YouTube.

4/3 DAY NATIONAL KEN BLOCK DAY
Join Brian Scotto, Ron Zaras, and Zac Mertens for a global livestream from Block House Racing HQ.
A rare look inside the private headquarters, world-class auctions, guest appearances, and real impact supporting 43i.

WATCH LIVE at www.43i.org
April 3rd, 2026 9am PT / 10am MT / 12pm ET / 6pm CET

27/11/2025

The perils of being the cameraman - Jack & Jason were a little wider than most, and we got a lovely Northern Gravel Shower.

22/11/2025

Watch the action … today at 3pm on CRC Motorsport

- For the final time in 2025, park up in front of the telly and check out the rallying action!

Highlights of the Vertex Oil International Rally of Whangarei play today at 3pm on Three!

For our overseas viewers, check back on the NZRC page or YouTube channel (www.nzrc.tv) next week for the coverage!

Thanks to our sponsors:
Brian Green Property Group
Mentor Tyres / MRF Motorsport Tyres
MRF Racing
Mentor Tyres / MRF Motorsport Tyres
Palmside NZ

Crème Insurance

19/11/2025

📅𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲....

The 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗲𝘅 𝗢𝗶𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗶 is moving dates and places.

We have agreed to move to Round 5 of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship. So mark your calendar and make sure you are free on the 25-27 September 2026.

*𝑛𝑜𝑡𝑒 - 𝑎𝑠 𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑖𝑛 2026, 𝑤𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑜 𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑘𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 - 𝑎𝑠 𝑤𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑛'𝑡 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑟𝑜𝑎𝑑𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑑𝑎𝑦. 𝑊𝑒 𝑎𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 🤞

𝟮𝟱-𝟮𝟳 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 | 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝟱 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗭𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽.

📸 Geoff Ridder

12/11/2025

👏𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗧𝘄𝗼 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆

Congratulations to the podiums from the 2 Day Allcomers event at Vertex Oil International Rally of Whangarei - 4WD & 2WD.

It was a tough 2 days on 280+km of stages. To be there at the end is an amazing achievement and we hope those that fell by the wayside will be back in 2026.

𝟮𝗪𝗗
🥇Antony Te Rito & Blair Howlett
🥈Kieran Cornelius & Clint Sammons
🥉Kimito Kondo & Hiroki Kondo

𝟰𝗪𝗗
🥇Todd Bawden & Katrina Renshaw
🥈Haydn Mackenzie & Kieran Anstis
🥉Ben Huband & Corinne Watson

𝟮𝟱-𝟮𝟳 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 | 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝟱 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗭𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽.

📸 Geoff Ridder

11/11/2025

🙏𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠

At the Vertex Oil International Rally of Whangarei we have 350+ volunteers making the event happen. 𝗦𝗼 𝗮 𝗵𝘂𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼:

👏𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗹𝘀 - this is done by community groups, individuals and in some cases officials. You braved the sun, then the rain, then the sun, and then the rain. Our heartfelt thanks goes out to you. Massive thanks to Lucy & Sue for their mega effort bringing it all together
👏𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 - To Wayne and his team, thanks for keeping the service parks running, looking good and sadly on the last day cleaning up after the teams left a bit of a mess. Thanks as always.
👏𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝘄𝘀 - these guys & gals keep the roads safe. They tape every junction, they put up arrows, they check safety plans, and they ensure the public and our teams are safe on every on of the 288km.
👏𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗥𝗢'𝘀 - our amazing CRO's that are the wise heads of the event, the conduits to the CRO and all knowing. Your cool calm heads prevail.
👏𝗥𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 - keeping our teams safe in the refuel zones - sometimes its like herding chickens but you do an incredible job.
👏𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 / 𝗔𝗖𝗢𝗖'𝘀 - over the weekend only one stage ran 3min late, a real testament to the cool / calm heads of the timing teams and their grand-master of timing, George.
👏𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 - setting up and parking up the cars and then herding them over the ramp, Russell and his team are always on point.
👏𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗢𝗖 - Steve (and of course Andrea) ran a great event that flowed well all weekend. Only one stage was 3min late (as I mentioned above) and that is amazing.
👏𝗦𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿 & 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 - always lots of smiles as you followed the cars thru each stage. Can't ask for more than that.
👏𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 - Liv you make so much happen and a lot wouldn't have happened without your dedication.

And I'm sure I've missed some of you, but I salute you and say THANKS!!

𝟮𝟱-𝟮𝟳 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 | 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝟱 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗭𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽.

📸 Geoff Ridder