History 1980s

1987 Rally New Zealand

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1987 Rally New Zealand

Date: July 1987

Start Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Finish Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Total Distance: ~500 km of special stages

Surface: Gravel

The 1987 Rally New Zealand delivered smooth gravel roads, sweeping corners, and a major upset. Franz Wittmann, driving the aging Audi 200 Quattro, kept a consistent pace and avoided the mistakes and mechanical issues that plagued more favored teams. His calm approach on New Zealand’s fast and flowing stages earned him his first—and only—WRC win, making him the first Austrian to win a WRC round.

Route

North Island Forests: Smooth, cambered gravel with a natural rhythm that rewarded confidence and balance.
Whangarei Region: Fast-flowing sections with rolling hills and blind crests—mistakes here were costly.
Rotorua Loops: Slightly rougher sectors with deeper gravel, requiring good tire strategy and throttle modulation.

New Zealand’s world-renowned gravel roads were the star of the show:

Weather was relatively dry, giving drivers optimal visibility and traction for high-speed performance.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Franz Wittmann & Kurt Nestinger · Audi 200 Quattro
2nd Place
Markku Alén & Ilkka Kivimäki · Lancia Delta HF 4WD
3rd Place
Kenneth Eriksson & Peter Diekmann · Volkswagen Golf GTI 16V

Wittmann’s shock victory made headlines and stood as a testament to the power of steady driving and mechanical reliability on long gravel stages.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Consistency Over Speed: Wittmann avoided major risks, relying on rhythm and road-reading rather than raw pace.
  • Gravel Transitions: Maintaining momentum through long-radius bends required exact throttle input and minimal correction.
  • Underdog Triumph: The rally proved that with smart driving and mechanical sympathy, even older machinery could still win at the top level.

The 1987 Rally New Zealand offered one of the most unexpected—and well-earned—victories of the season, highlighting the enduring value of reliability and rally IQ.

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