In a few weeks, the Rally of New Zealand makes its keenly awaited return to the World Rally Championship, travelling the roads of the Auckland and Waikato regions that are carved into the history of the event.
Organisers of the 32nd Rally New Zealand have confirmed details of the stages that will make up the 11th round of the 2022 FIA World Rally Championship at the end of the month.
From the start at the iconic Auckland Domain to the renowned Whaanga Coast, Kaipara Hills and a grand finale in Auckland’s coolest backyard, the Repco Rally New Zealand will offer international and local drivers a challenge like no other.
The rally route comprises 17 stages with 275kms of competition over four days from 29 September to 2 October. The event’s central hub will be at Auckland’s waterfront with a ‘fan zone’ at the Repco Rally Village and Service Park which spans Silo Park, Wynyard Point and Halsey Wharf.
Rally New Zealand will start with a 1.4km ‘Super Special’ stage at Auckland Domain on Thursday 29 September. It will offer spectators a close-up look at the sport’s new WRC Rally1 hybrid cars with no admission charge.
The domain has enjoyed a long association with the event, having featured in the World Rally Championship from 1986 to 1990 and then most recently in 2010 and 2012.
The next day the rally heads south to the Waikato for six special stages including two passes through one of the world’s greatest rally stages, Whaanga Coast near Raglan.
There will also be two runs through the high speed Te Akau North and Te Akau South stages.
On Saturday 1 October, the competitors head north to tackle the cambered turns of Kaipara Hills, followed by Puhoi and Komokoriki stages.
The final day comprises a double run on a new stage at Whitford Forest along with two passes through the remarkable purpose-built 6.5km circuit at Jack’s Ridge east of Auckland. The latter stage, built by owner Andrew Hawkeswood on his property in Whitford, will complete the rally as the Wolf Power Stage. The venue will provide unique stadium-like viewing for fans.
Local hero Hayden Paddon once more lines up against the best of the locals; the entry likely to include Škoda drivers Ben Hunt and Raana Horan.
Also Škoda-mounted is Australian Harry Bates (son of former Australian Rally Champion Neal Bates). Bates junior runs a Toyota Yaris in Australia but has been forced to make the switch to Škoda for the WRC event.
2022 Repco Rally
New Zealand route:
Thursday, 29 September
Shakedown, Inland Road: 9am
Super Special Stage 1: Auckland Domain, 1.4km, 6:08pm
Friday, 30 September:
Stage 2: Whaanga Coast 1, 29.7km, 8.33am
Stage 3: Te Akau South 1, 31.02km, 10.11am
Stage 4: Te Akau North 1, 18.20km, 11.14am
Stage 5: Whaanga Coast 2, 29.7km, 2.22pm
Stage 6: Te Akau South 3, 31.02km, 4pm
Stage 7: Te Akau North, 18.20km, 5.03pm
Saturday 1 October:
Stage 8: Kaipara Hills 1, 15.83km, 8.08am
Stage 9: Puhoi 1, 22.63kmm 9:06am
Stage 10: Komokoriki 1, 5.6km, 10.14am
Stage 11: Kaipara Hills 2, 15.83km, 2.08pm
Stage 12: Puhoi 2, 22.63km, 3.06pm
Stage 13: Komokoriki 2, 5.6km, 4.24pm
Sunday 2 October:
Stage 14: Whitford Forest 1, 8.75km, 10.32am
Stage 15: Jack’s Ridge, 6.42km, 12.08pm
Stage 16: Whitford Forest 2, 8.75km, 1.18pm
Stage 17: Jack’s Ridge 2, 6.42km, 3.18pm.
