Images by Mike Peffers
Rallying’s history books were re-written in Auckland in early October as 22-year-old Kalle Rovanperä became the youngest ever world rally champion.
He smashed the previous record for the youngest ever world champion by five years and 88 days, held by Scot Colin McRae.
Rovanperä defeated outgoing champion Sébastien Ogier by 34.6 seconds. With closest title rival Ott Tänak down in third, Rovanperä only needed fourth on the final power-stage at Jack’s Ridge to secure the crown, but he won the stage anyway.
He becomes the youngest ever champion in WRC history at just 22 years and one day old, sealing it in perfect style with his sixth victory from 11 rallies this season.
“It’s quite a big relief after such a good season and finally we are here. Biggest thanks goes to the team of course, they made this rocket this year – reliable and fast car. Even after the difficult rallies they were all the time believing in us, giving us the support.”
Before Rovanperä had crossed the line, Tänak paid tribute to his rival: “This week Kalle and Toyota have been very, very strong, and they have beaten everybody fair and square,” he said.
Victory in New Zealand was never a certainty for Rovanperä. He was first on the road, which meant he was sweeping the loose gravel clear from the stages on day one.
Toyota team-mate Elfyn Evans led overnight – profiting from five second penalties for Rovanperä, Tänak and Thierry Neuville whose cars’ hybrid units over boosted on Thursday night’s superspecial.
But Evans’ victory bid fell apart on the Saturday morning when he suffered a big slide on a quick right-hand corner and hit a bank, tipping his Rally1-class Yaris into a roll.
The car landed on its wheels so Evans continued but had dropped to fourth, having damaged his radiator and lost his tailgate. Roll-cage damage put him out of the event.
Rovanperä excelled in the rain – and there was plenty of that.
Kiwis represent at Rally2 level
Benefitting from the mistakes of the Rally1 drivers was local driver and one-time WRC winner Hayden Paddon, who cruised to an easy WRC2 victory in his Hyundai i20 N Rally2. He was sixth overall, while two-time V8 Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen scored points on his WRC debut.
“I’m living my dream and to get a podium, I’m stoked,” he said. “I’m having a ball.”
Harry Bates, winner of his last 16 starts over in his native Australia behind the wheel of a Toyota, rounded out the top 10, also on his WRC debut and his first outing in a Škoda.
The performance of van Gisbergen deserves special mention: not only is the Kiwi driver celebrating winning the last ever V8 round at Pukekohe, he also flew out of New Zealand after the rally and straight into preparation for one of the wettest and most crash-marred Bathurst endurance races in more than a decade – and promptly won. The Bathurst result was made even more special by the presence of dad Robert who was there to celebrate alongside him.
In 2020, the 33-year-old won his first Bathurst 1000 event alongside Garth Tander but due to Covid-19 restrictions, his dad was forced to watch from his home in New Zealand.
This year was different though, with both father and son finally getting the chance to celebrate the victory together.
“It was also cool to have my family and friends here to share this moment, they missed out on our win in 2020,” he said.
Results
Top ten and all Kiwi finishers,
2022 Repco Rally of New Zealand
1. Kalle Rovanperä/Jonne Haltune
2. Sebastien Ogier/Benjamin Veillas
3. Ott Tanak/Martin Jarveioia
4. Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe
5. Oliver Solberg/Elliott Edmondson
6. Hayden Paddon/John Kennard
7. Lorenzo Bertelli/Lorenza Granai
8. Kaietan Kaietanowicz/
Maciek Szczepaniak
9. Shane van Gisbergen/Glen Weston
10. Harry Bates/John McCarthy
Other New Zealanders:
11. Matt Summerfield/
Nicole Summerfield
13. Todd Bawden/Paul Burborough
15. Hayden McKenzie/Michael Goudie
16. Jack Hawkeswood/Sarah Brennan
17. Ben Hunt/Tony Rawstorn
18. Andy Martin/Matt Hayward
21. Glenn Inkster/Winn Spencer
