History 1970s

1979 Rally of New Zealand (New Zealand)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 18th Rally of New Zealand

Date: July 14–18, 1979

Host Country: New Zealand

Surface: Mixed Tarmac / Gravel

Total Distance: ~2,200 km

Total Starters: Approx. 80 crews

Total Finishers: 28 crews

The 1979 Rally of New Zealand presented a stunning blend of coastal highways, rolling countryside, and fast-flowing forest roads. Stretching across New Zealand’s North Island, the rally was a test of driver adaptability with its frequent surface changes and weather shifts. Hannu Mikkola and Arne Hertz delivered a near-flawless performance in their Ford Escort RS1800, securing victory with smooth transitions between tight technical sections and high-speed open stretches.

Route

Kinleith Forest: Smooth, well-cambered gravel roads ideal for fast cornering and rhythm.
Coromandel Peninsula: Tarmac mountain passes with tight switchbacks and scenic overlooks.
Rotorua Region: Volcanic soil created slippery gravel stages when wet—demanding tire strategy and finesse.

The rally toured from Auckland through Rotorua and into the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions, mixing coastal tarmac stages with fast, flowing gravel tracks through pine forests and farmland.

New Zealand’s winter weather brought unpredictable rain showers, meaning grip levels changed from stage to stage. Teams needed flexible setups and quick adaptation to shifting conditions.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Hannu Mikkola & Arne Hertz · Ford Escort RS1800
2nd Place
Ari Vatanen & Peter Bryant · Ford Escort RS1800
3rd Place
Tony Pond & Fred Gallagher · Triumph TR7 V8

Mikkola and Hertz’s clean and commanding pace kept them ahead throughout, with smooth driving and excellent teamwork on both surfaces proving decisive against fierce competition.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Changing Weather: Alternating dry and rainy conditions required teams to adapt tire pressure and suspension on the fly.
  • Gravel-Tarmac Transitions: Maintaining rhythm through changing grip levels was critical to overall pace.
  • Fast Stages: High average speeds meant that even small mistakes could lead to major time losses—or retirement.

The 1979 Rally of New Zealand highlighted the Escort RS1800’s dominance and Mikkola’s world-class consistency, cementing their place atop the WRC field.

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