The 2022 edition of Rally New Zealand will go down in history as the place where the youngest-ever world champion was crowned, Kalle Rovanpera winning the World Rally Championship after taking out the event.
It was the first time in 10 years the WRC had returned to New Zealand, Sebastien Ogier and Thierry Neuville the only competitors who had previously competed in Rally New Zealand, Neuville in 2012 and Ogier back in 2010.
Deemed a success by the fans after three and a half full days of racing, a number of drivers also expressed their enjoyment of their time enjoying and rallying in New Zealand.
We went through some of their social media posts and saw what they had to say about their time in New Zealand.
Kalle Rovanpera: 2022 World Rally Champion
“I had to come a little earlier to get used to the time difference, to prepare and rest a little” Rovanpera said in a video shared on his Facebook page pre-event.
“We came on Friday before the rally week.”
“Here, the first few nights [were] difficult because you’re not tired and during the day you’re really sleepy, but I managed to change the rhythm.”
When asked about his thoughts heading into Rally New Zealand, the Finn replied “It’s interesting to come here, the rally is great. It used to be on the calendar for years and the drivers have enjoyed it.”
He went on to compare the roads to those back home, saying “it’s a bit similar to Finland and Estonia. Pretty flat roads but some hills too. Not as many jumps as Finland though. The roads are in good shape but more slippery than the roads in Europe.”
Staying in Auckland, Rovanpera made the most of the free week before the event, indulging in activities such as zip-lining on Waiheke Island.
“I like the city from what I’ve seen during the weekend,” he said.
“A really nice city with a nice atmosphere. People in this part of the world are nice, it’s good to be here.”
Rovanpera also posted a number of times pre-rally, a series of photos showcasing New Zealand landscapes.
“Roads and scenery here are something else, and I cant wait to get started,” he said in a post last Wednesday.
Ott Tanak: 2019 World Rally Champion
Like Rovanpera, Tanak also arrived early in New Zealand to adjust to the time zone, addressing jet lag as still impacting some three days into the trip.
“Three days behind us, still jet-lagging a bit,” he said pre-rally on Facebook.
“It’s been nice here, and we’re really enjoying it.” the Estonian said of his time in New Zealand.
Following the first full day, which saw Tanak hold the lead heading back to the service zone, he made another post addressing the stages and weather.
“This afternoon we had some heavy rain but aside from that it’s been OK. The roads here are really fun to drive, but it is just difficult to get into the right rhythm. You need confidence in the car to get into a good flow, and we definitely need to look for more to improve in this area.” he said.
Sebastien Ogier– Eight-time World Rally Champion
Ogier, on his farewell tour, only competes in select rallies, one of which being Rally New Zealand, the selection all but implying what he thinks of the event.
The Frenchman made no secret of his fond memories of Rally New Zealand heading into the event, which he shared in a release from the WRC when his drive was confirmed.
“Rally New Zealand was on the top of the list of rallies that I wanted to do this year,” explained Ogier in the announcement.
“I have only done this rally once before, but the rally itself is really beautiful.
“[New Zealand’s] roads are some of the best in the world for rallying and I fell in love with the diverse and beautiful nature of the country,” he continued.
“The roads there are magic to drive. In Europe, we do not have this camber on the roads where you are dancing along the road and it has a nice flow to drive. That is so attractive to a rally driver.”
It seems as though Ogier’s feelings haven’t change after this years running.
“Really wet and challenging conditions today but still a lot of fun in the car in these wonderful stages!” he said after Day 3.
Craig Breen
Breen had been on the pace all morning of Day 1 until an incident at SS5 saw him taken from contention.
Whilst not a frequenter of social media, Breen posted an image on the iconic Whaanga Coast stage with the title “These roads are really, really special.”
Elfyn Evans
Evans was in the mix after a strong Day 2 and had led the field into a Day 3 after a Tanak penalty was applied overnight. He went on to crash out on Saturday morning and retired from the rally.
He still, however, shared posts of his enjoyment of the Rally New Zealand stages.
“The stages this morning were really nice to drive, it’s just been a little difficult to find the rhythm in places as the grip has been changing a lot,” he said in reference to the variable conditions halfway through Day 2.
“Happy to be in the mix after a long wet day. It’s been nice to drive the NZ stages for the first time, I’ve enjoyed them a lot,” he posted on Facebook at the end of Day 2.
“We’ve had a real mix of surface conditions today, at one point the rain made things very tricky, and the stage profiles have been really varied as well.”
Oliver Solberg
The son of legendary rally driver Petter Solberg, Oliver impressed through the event and finished in the top five.
“The stages, the views, the passion, the people – thank you Rally New Zealand for an amazing week!” he shared in a Facebook post yesterday.
“Really special to be here and drive on these legendary roads and in front of amazing crowds – and I hope we’re back again very soon!”
After a difficult Day 2, Solberg also expressed how much he had enjoyed the iconic Whaanga Coast and Te Akau stages.
“it’s hard to be unhappy after a day on amazing stages like Te Akau and Whaanga Coast,” he said.
Gus Greensmith
Like Evans, Greensmith enjoyed a solid Day 2 before a massive rollover crash on Day 3 ended his New Zealand drive early. It seems, however, Greensmith enjoyed his time here with social media posts indicating so.
“Looking forward to some of the best stages in the world tomorrow,” he commented after SSS1 at the Auckland Domain.
“We had the highs & the lows at Rally New Zealand, but one thing is for sure, this is the best place in the world to drive a rally car,” he shared on Facebook yesterday.
Thierry Neuville
Neuville finished fourth overall in Rally New Zealand despite two spins early on Day 2.
Following the event, he went on to donate 2000 Euros (NZ$3,450) to Project Jonah, citing the organisation as “doing a truly amazing job to care for marine mammals (whales, dolphins and seals) and the oceans.”
“Kia ora New Zealand!” he said on arrival to the country, “These roads are amazing!”
“Such a fantastic way to start the event with a beautiful Māori Welcome and a third fastest time in SSS1,” he shared after Thursday’s Auckland Domain stage.
“Thank you Rally New Zealand. It has been nice to come back to this very special event,” he posted after the rally.
Banner Image: WRC
