History 1990s

1993 Rally New Zealand (New Zealand)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1993 Rally New Zealand (New Zealand)

Date: August 5–8, 1993

Start Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Finish Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Total Distance: 396.00 km of special stages

Surface: Gravel

The 1993 Rally New Zealand was a high-speed ballet through the lush forest roads of the North Island. Known for its flowing corners and cambered gravel, the event rewarded brave, committed driving. Colin McRae and Derek Ringer were in peak form, piloting the Subaru Legacy RS to its final WRC win before the debut of the Impreza. McRae’s fearless approach and growing maturity delivered an emphatic performance, putting Subaru in the spotlight and solidifying his reputation as a future champion.

Route

Whangarei and Kaipara Regions: Long, sweeping corners and wide forest roads with cambered surfaces that encouraged high-speed commitment.
Rotorua Loops: Damp forest floors with changing grip—stage knowledge and pacenote trust were critical.
Waikato Stages: Rolling terrain and smooth lines made for some of the season’s fastest average stage speeds.

New Zealand’s gravel roads offered perfect rally conditions—fast, grippy, and rhythmically challenging:

Cool, dry weather made for consistent stage conditions—perfect for drivers who could hold a relentless rhythm and manage tire wear across long competitive legs.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Colin McRae & Derek Ringer · Subaru Legacy RS
2nd Place
Carlos Sainz & Luis Moya · Lancia Delta HF Integrale
3rd Place
Ari Vatanen & Bruno Berglund · Ford Escort RS Cosworth

McRae’s fearless drive not only earned him the top step of the podium—it signaled Subaru’s readiness to compete at the highest level heading into the AWD Impreza era.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Pace and Flow: Maintaining momentum through linked corners was essential—McRae’s smooth aggression set the benchmark.
  • Pacenote Accuracy: Fast blind crests demanded full trust between driver and co-driver—Ringer’s precision was flawless.
  • Tire Preservation: Though surface grip was high, long stages tested compound durability—Subaru struck the right balance.

The 1993 Rally New Zealand was a decisive moment for Colin McRae and Subaru alike—flawless teamwork, blistering speed, and rallying audacity delivered a memorable victory.

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