New Zealand Rally Show

The WRC World Rally Championship is making a big comeback under, with a big comeback from Rally New Zealand (September 29 – October 2) On the FIA ​​International Calendar after ten years of absence!

Dirt highways with cambered turns await the crews of the eleventh round of the 2022 season, contested in the heart of magnificent landscapes, among magnificent forests and along the coast of the North Island.

Few of the competitors who make it into the premier category have actually made it to the meeting which is located in Auckland, hence the unique challenge of this penultimate event of the season. Among the New Zealand starters is Kali Rovanpira, Toyota Gazoo Racing prodigy.

Currently on a poor run of results, Kalle Rovanperä has seen his progress diminish Fifty-three points In Ott Tänak, but Finn, who will celebrate his 22nd birthday on Saturday (October 1) He is still well positioned to become the youngest WRC World Rally Champion in history!

And so Calle Rovanpera could celebrate more than his birthday this weekend, as he is able to seal his title on Sunday, if he scores. Eight points more than Estonian Ott Tanak, former world champion in the discipline, because he was already crowned in 209, or Seven In the event of victory.

Cali who says:

It will be really fun to go to Rally New Zealand.so capture.

He added, explaining:

“I’ve only heard good things about the country, the rally and the beauty of the roads. The last races have been less than perfect, but we know what we need to improve and we’re working hard to be faster and be more comfortable. I hope we can perform, have fun and get a good result.”

Sebastien Auger upon his arrival in Auckland

In addition to Kalle Rovanperä, the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 will be entrusted as usual to the Welshman Elfyn Evans and the Japanese Takamoto Katsuta, as well as until the end of the season, this one to the eight-time world champion, the French Sebastien Ogier in semi-retirement, who resumes his partial campaign with the Japanese manufacturer after his last appearance in June in Kenya Safari!

Present on the podium three times in the last four rallies, Ott Tanak hopes to continue his good run. The Estonian, who is linked to Thierry Neuville and Oliver Solberg at Hyundai Motorsport, says the New Zealand stages are every driver’s dream.

“Roads seem designed for rallying,” The driver of the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 still smiled, pointing:

“Hopefully we can extract 100% of the car and get a good result.”

Craig Breen and Gus Greensmith will lead the Team M-Sport Ford World Rally effort, but the Ford Puma Rally1 will be at the start for Italian driver Lorenzo Bertelli.

The four-day meeting will start with a very special meeting from Thursday evening. The event will feature seventeen timed segments totaling 276.44 kilometers of movement.

Claude Julien

Photos: WRC – TEAMS