The Taranaki Tarmac Rally returns to the region next week on Saturday 27 June. This round serves as the third event on the 2026 Hawkeswood Mining North Island Rally Series calendar, drawing top competitors from across New Zealand.
Jointly organised by the Taranaki Car Club and the South Taranaki Car Club, the full schedule runs from 7am ’til 5:30pm.
Competitors will tackle up to 160km of competitive special stages, held entirely on sealed public roads.
Three distinct categories feature in the field, including a National Permit rally, a Clubman Rally for regional competitors, and an unrestricted Tarmac Tour class designed for Targa-style vehicles.
Organisers promise a highly technical and demanding route that tests both speed and precision.
North Island Rally Series coordinator Marty Roestenburg stated that the event features "tight, twisty and fast bumpy tarmac roads around both the Taranaki and South Taranaki districts."
New Plymouth will serve as the central hub for the event, hosting the service parks and event headquarters where mechanical crews manage vehicles between stages.
Drivers will accumulate critical points toward the overall 2026 North Island title, making this local round a focal point for championship aspirations.
Check out the map below with recommended viewing points along the route 👇
