Two-point margin sets up New Zealand Rally Championship 2WD title showdown
Words: Kyle Cassidy
Ben Harding and Dave Strong will take their fight for the New Zealand Rally Championship’s 2WD title to the final round, with just two points separating them ahead of Saturday’s Battery Town Rally Bay of Plenty.
Harding leads in his Mazda RX7, but Strong’s Honda Jazz remains firmly in contention after a season that began with at least half a dozen potential title challengers.
Both drivers also have individual class championships within reach. A finish would secure Harding the Classics title and Strong the Open 2WD crown, leaving each to weigh up the chance of a double against the risk of coming away empty-handed.
Harding is keen to make the most of the opportunity.
“Yes, the 2WD title is in the crosshairs, we’ve gone this far we might as well try and finish it off as best we can,” Harding said.
“We will do the best we can – if we lose it all at least, we had a go.
“If we do the double that exceeds what we set out to achieve but is a testament to the reliability of the Mazda and the great team behind us.”
Strong has a different priority, with the approaching Silver Fern Rally also influencing how hard he is prepared to push.
“I need to finish to win my class so that’s more important,” Strong said.
“I think it would be possible to beat the RX7 with the progress we have made with my car and driving this year, but it would take some risk to do it.
“I don’t want to take risks with the Silver Fern Rally so close.
“It’s nice to know when the car is right, I can still be competitive.”
The Bay of Plenty event is the sixth and final round of the 2026 Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship.
It opens with a ceremonial start in Whakatāne on Friday 30 October, followed by a full day of rallying on Saturday 31 October.
Photo: Geoff Ridder
