Mitch Pilcher & Alex Parkin

Meet the Competitors – Mitch Pilcher & Alex Parkin

📍 Hamilton & Auckland
🚗 Subaru Impreza – Class I

Fresh from an impressive 5th overall and 1st North Island Rally Series competitor to finish the Taranaki Tarmac Rally, Mitch Pilcher heads to Rally Taumarunui with co-driver Alex Parkin for what will be their first event together as a team.

For Alex, rallying has always been a family affair.

"Rallying is a family sport. My father and his brothers competed for years and stayed involved long after they stopped competing, so I sort of grew up around rallying throughout the upper North Island."

Alex has already enjoyed some incredible experiences in the sport, with his proudest achievement being competing in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship Finale in China in 2019.

Like every rally competitor, there are also plenty of memorable moments.

"One time I was sick during an event and ended up giving pace notes using hand signals—almost like we were jet boating! It certainly makes for a funny story looking back on it."

So why Rally Taumarunui?

"I love rallying and I'm really looking forward to experiencing the amazing roads the region has to offer."

Although this will be the first event Mitch and Alex have contested together, Alex is excited about the partnership.

"Mitch and I have never worked together before, but from what I'm told he's a very talented driver, so I'm looking forward to having some fun together."

Alex would also like to acknowledge the support of his sponsors – New Zealand Machine Tools, Fastmaster Enterprises, and Parkin Engineering – for helping make his rallying journey possible.

With a recent rally victory, a new driver and co-driver combination, and some of New Zealand's best gravel roads ahead of them, Mitch and Alex are sure to be a crew to watch at Rally Taumarunui.

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

Photo Credit: Geoff Ridder