After a very long 10 year hiatus, a round of the World Rally Championship finally returned to New Zealand shores last weekend. The 2022 Repco Rally New Zealand was held on rain soaked roads North and South of Auckland.
With a full contingent of WRC works teams and drivers competing, rally fans turned out in huge numbers despite the inclement conditions.
The final day of the event and power stage was held on former NZ Rally Champs Andrew Hawkeswood’s Jacks Ridge farm in Whitford in front of a sell out crowd.
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The final day crowned a new World Rally Champion in the very young 22 year old Kalle Rovanpera whom won the event in his Toyota GR Yaris beating eight time World Champion Sebastien Ogier in a similar car. Ott Tanak completed the podium in the first Hyundai home.
The coveted first New Zealander home trophy went to the in form Haydon Paddon and John Kennard, the pairing bringing their Hyundai i20 N AP4 home in an impressive 6th place overall winning the Rally 2 class. Second kiwi home over 3 minutes in arrears was V8 Supercar star Shane Van Gisbergen in his Skoda Fabia R5.
