Kerry Bell & Bevan Parker

🚗 Toyota Starlet – Class B

For Kerry Bell, Rally Taumarunui isn't just another event—it's home.

Born and bred in Taumarunui, Kerry was a member of the Taumarunui Car Club throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, where his rally journey began as a service crew member for local rally stars Mike Gibbs and Campbell Wright.

Before long, he was competing himself in club events around Taumarunui in a Toyota Starlet and was there to witness the last Rally Taumarunui before the event disappeared from the calendar.

One of Kerry's greatest rally memories came at the Taupō 2WD Rally.

Entering as a late entry and seeded 42nd, Kerry exceeded all expectations by finishing an incredible 5th overall and 1st in class—an outstanding result made even more remarkable by the fact it was his very first rally.

Some of Kerry's fondest memories of the sport don't revolve around trophies, but the people.

"Being part of the service crew for Campbell Wright and Euan Fudge are memories I'll always treasure."

Alongside Kerry is long-time co-driver Bevan Parker, whose own rally journey began at the 2008 Daybreaker Rally, where he climbed into the co-driver's seat alongside Greg Browne in an AE82 Corolla.

"From there, I was hooked!"

Since then, Bevan has gone on to enjoy plenty of success, including a top-10 overall finish and second Modern 2WD at the 2024 Targa in his BMW E36.

Like every rally competitor, Bevan has also collected a few stories along the way.

At the 2016 Tauranga Clubmans Rally, while co-driving for Greg Browne, the pair slid off the road and became beached just one metre from the finish line.

Sometimes rallying has a cruel sense of humour!

Now, the experienced pairing have their sights set on Rally Taumarunui.

"I'm looking forward to having a crack at a two-wheel-drive podium with Kerry," says Bevan.

For Kerry, though, simply seeing rally cars back on his hometown roads is something special.

Please join us in welcoming Kerry and Bevan to Rally Taumarunui, and be sure to give them a wave when you see the Toyota Starlet out on the stages! 👋🏁

📸 Photo Credit: Geoff Ridder