History 2000s

2000 Rally of New Zealand (New Zealand)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2000 Rally of New Zealand (New Zealand)

Date: July 13–16, 2000

Start Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Finish Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Total Distance: ~1,400 km (estimated full route)

Competitive Stages: 373.11 km

Surface: Gravel

The 2000 Rally of New Zealand brought classic Kiwi rallying back into the spotlight — ultra-fast gravel roads with impeccable flow and camber. Marcus Grönholm and co-driver Timo Rautiainen put on a clinic of pace and poise, guiding their Peugeot 206 WRC to a decisive victory and taking another critical step toward their eventual world title.

Route

Te Akau South: A fast, open stage with flowing bends and natural camber that rewarded rhythm and bravery.
Maramarua Forest: Narrower and more technical, with loose gravel and tree-lined blind crests.
Possum Bourne Sprint: Named after the legendary Kiwi driver — mixed technical corners and elevation changes with enthusiastic local crowds.

The rally featured some of the smoothest and most flowing gravel stages in the world, held around the North Island. Key stages included:

Dry conditions and compact gravel allowed for incredibly high average speeds. Confidence in pacenotes and setup was key to making the most of the available grip.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Marcus Grönholm & Timo Rautiainen · Peugeot 206 WRC
2nd Place
Richard Burns & Robert Reid · Subaru Impreza S6 WRC
3rd Place
Colin McRae & Nicky Grist · Ford Focus WRC

Grönholm built a lead early and defended it masterfully as Burns tried to close the gap. McRae pushed hard but couldn’t match the leaders’ pace, settling for a solid podium in one of the season’s purest driver’s rallies.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Corner Rhythm: The ability to stay committed through flowing bends defined the leaders — even small hesitations cost seconds over a stage.
  • High-Speed Precision: With few braking zones, maintaining momentum was crucial — one missed apex could ruin a split time.
  • Local Enthusiasm: Massive turnout and fan presence on stage roads added atmosphere — and occasional risk — to the already intense action.

Grönholm’s win in New Zealand was one of his most commanding of the season, showcasing the ideal pairing of driver talent and car performance on one of rallying’s most beloved stages.

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