History 2000s

2001 Rally New Zealand (New Zealand)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2001 Rally New Zealand (New Zealand)

Date: July 12–15, 2001

Start Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Finish Location: Auckland, New Zealand

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

Competitive Stages: ~400 km

Surface: Gravel

Set among New Zealand’s sweeping green landscapes, the 2001 edition of Rally NZ once again delivered one of the most visually stunning and rhythmically flowing events of the season. Richard Burns capitalized on his smooth driving style and precise note execution to outpace the field and claim a brilliant win for Subaru on roads that rewarded composure and car balance over raw aggression.

Route

Te Akau North: Fast, flowing and cambered corners that demanded high confidence and clean inputs.
Maramarua Forest: Narrow tree-lined stage with changing light and limited margin for error.
Whaanga Coast: Technical coastal gravel — stunning views, but no room for mistakes on the tight cliffside sections.

The stages, mostly located around the North Island, featured world-renowned camber and high-speed sequences. Key stages included:

Dry, cool conditions allowed for excellent stage integrity and minimal dust interference — ideal for pushing the limits on the flowing terrain.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Richard Burns & Robert Reid · Subaru Impreza S7 WRC
2nd Place
Tommi Mäkinen & Risto Mannisenmäki · Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI
3rd Place
Marcus Grönholm & Timo Rautiainen · Peugeot 206 WRC

Burns led from early on and kept Mäkinen and Grönholm at bay with flawless execution. Mäkinen drove consistently, while Grönholm recovered from an early off to fight back onto the podium.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Cambered Corners: Mastering the natural banking was essential — incorrect placement could cost both speed and grip.
  • High Average Speeds: Required early commitment to notes — Burns’s precise coordination with Reid gave him a clear advantage.
  • Limited Margins: With minimal braking zones, any mistake on entry or exit could cost critical tenths — consistency ruled over aggression.

Richard Burns’s win in New Zealand was a shining example of technical mastery — proof that smooth is fast, especially on the world’s most flowing rally stages.

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