History 1990s

1997 Rally New Zealand (New Zealand)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1997 Rally New Zealand (New Zealand)

Date: July 10–13, 1997

Start Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Finish Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Total Distance: 358.00 km of special stages

Surface: Gravel

The 1997 Rally New Zealand brought the World Rally Championship to some of the smoothest and most flowing gravel roads on the planet. Featuring fast bends and lush countryside, the event was known for its cambered corners and forgiving surfaces that rewarded rhythm and bravery. Carlos Sainz, in the Ford Escort WRC, put together a faultless drive to take victory over a tightly contested field, showcasing his veteran skill in one of the calendar’s most picturesque and technical rallies.

Route

Te Akau South: Fast and flowing with long, sweeping bends carved into the hilly landscape.
Whaanga Coast: A technical mix of coastal views, cliffside drops, and rhythm-breaking chicanes.
Riverhead Forest: Tighter gravel tracks through dense forest, demanding clean lines and concentration.

The rally featured classic North Island stages with a balance of speed and flow, including:

The smooth gravel of New Zealand allowed for higher speeds, but the challenge lay in maintaining precision through blind corners and crests.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Carlos Sainz & Luis Moya · Ford Escort WRC
2nd Place
Colin McRae & Nicky Grist · Subaru Impreza WRC97
3rd Place
Tommi Mäkinen & Seppo Harjanne · Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV

Sainz’s clinical precision and ability to carry momentum through every curve gave him the edge over McRae’s aggression, securing an important victory in the championship fight.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Cambered Corners: New Zealand’s natural road shapes allowed for high-speed commitment, but punished poor entry lines.
  • Blind Crests: Many turns lay just beyond crests, requiring perfect pacenote reading and timing from co-drivers.
  • Changing Grip: Morning moisture and scattered rain created inconsistent patches of traction, especially under trees.

The 1997 Rally New Zealand was a showcase of smooth gravel expertise, and Carlos Sainz’s victory underlined his calculated, mistake-free approach on one of the world’s most flowing rally terrains.

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