History Event 1990s

1999 Rally New Zealand (New Zealand)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1999 Rally New Zealand (New Zealand)

Date: July 16–18, 1999

Start Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Finish Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Total Distance: ~1,375 km (full route)

Competitive Stages: 358.00 km

Surface: Gravel

Renowned for its ultra-fast, cambered gravel roads and flowing rhythm, the 1999 Rally New Zealand delivered high-speed thrills and a triumphant performance from Tommi Mäkinen. Driving with controlled aggression and near-flawless precision, Mäkinen and his co-driver Risto Mannisenmäki secured a crucial victory for Mitsubishi in the championship hunt, a win built on mastery of the terrain and confidence in the Evo VI’s finely tuned handling.

Route

Te Akau South: Fast, flowing, and scenic, ideal for confidence-driving and maximum throttle commitment.
Possum’s Stage: A technical challenge named in honor of New Zealand rally icon Possum Bourne, with blind crests and deceptive braking points.
Whaanga Coast: Cliffside routes with stunning ocean views, loose gravel, and tight timing between corners.

Held on the North Island’s sweeping forest roads, the rally was defined by fast curves and a unique gravel surface with excellent grip. Notable stages included:

Unlike many gravel rallies, New Zealand’s roads offered high speeds with fewer car-breaking hazards, rewarding drivers who could maintain momentum and take risks through the sweeping terrain.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Tommi Mäkinen & Risto Mannisenmäki · Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI
2nd Place
Richard Burns & Robert Reid · Subaru Impreza WRC99
3rd Place
Carlos Sainz & Luis Moya · Toyota Corolla WRC

Mäkinen’s experience and precision in high-speed gravel conditions allowed him to edge out Burns in a rally-long duel, while Sainz delivered another consistent podium for Toyota.

Car Highlights

  • Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI: Stable and responsive on flowing roads; its suspension setup allowed for high-speed precision without sacrificing grip in cambered corners.
  • Subaru Impreza WRC99: Burns pushed hard all weekend, but struggled slightly with mid-corner balance in rougher sections.
  • Toyota Corolla WRC: Smooth and effective, especially under braking, but lacked the straight-line acceleration of the Evo VI on New Zealand’s wide-open sections.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Corner Commitment: Blind crests and long corner sequences demanded total trust in pace notes, hesitation cost seconds.
  • Tire Selection: With high average speeds and cool weather, selecting the right tire compound for morning and afternoon loops was essential.
  • Momentum Management: The fast flow of stages made rhythm more important than raw power, one mistake could ruin a full split.

The 1999 Rally New Zealand was a reminder of why Tommi Mäkinen was a gravel master. With cool precision and unmatched pace, he delivered another benchmark performance and tightened his grip on the championship lead.

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