History 2000s

2002 Rally of New Caledonia (New Caledonia)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2002 Rally of New Caledonia (New Caledonia)

Date: May 31 – June 2, 2002

Start Location: Nouméa, New Caledonia

Finish Location: Nouméa, New Caledonia

Total Distance: ~750 km (estimated full route)

Competitive Stages: ~220 km

Surface: Gravel (tropical, slippery)

The 2002 Rally of New Caledonia brought the APRC to the South Pacific’s steep hills and tropical forests, with muddy, red clay surfaces and rapidly changing weather. Karamjit Singh remained calm and collected throughout, avoiding mistakes and using his experience to take another strong win that reinforced his dominance in the 2002 championship season.

Route

Red Earth Tracks: Slippery clay became slick and dangerous after light rain — drivers needed precision and smoothness to avoid sliding off-line.
Steep Climbs & Descents: Traction was often minimal on climbs; engine torque and throttle control were vital.
Jungle Sections: Limited visibility and narrow passes through dense foliage tested note accuracy and braking commitment.

The rally wound through the lush, narrow mountain roads inland from Nouméa, with surface grip that changed minute by minute depending on rainfall. Key route features included:

Humidity and sudden storms added unpredictability — forcing last-minute tire and suspension decisions to keep pace with the changing surface.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Karamjit Singh & Allen Oh · Proton Pert
2nd Place
Possum Bourne & Mark Stacey · Subaru Impreza WRX
3rd Place
Jussi Välimäki & Miika Teiskonen · Mitsubishi Lancer Evo

Singh’s patience and smart driving allowed him to avoid the mistakes that caught others out. Bourne showed great pace but suffered delays in the trickier loops, while Välimäki drove a consistent rally to claim a valuable podium.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Variable Weather: Tropical microclimates meant some crews faced rain while others ran in sun — conditions shifted within minutes.
  • Grip Uncertainty: Clay-based surfaces changed dramatically between recce and race pace — Singh adapted better than anyone.
  • Visibility & Obstacles: Tall vegetation and fog forced trust in pace notes and razor-sharp co-driver timing from Allen Oh.

The Rally of New Caledonia victory further cemented Karamjit Singh’s momentum in the 2002 APRC, proving his technical mastery and adaptability across one of the region’s most demanding tropical events.

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