History 2000s

2003 Propecia Rally New Zealand (New Zealand)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2003 Propecia Rally New Zealand (New Zealand)

Date: April 10–13, 2003

Start Location: Manukau, Auckland, New Zealand

Finish Location: Manukau, Auckland, New Zealand

Total Distance: ~1,340 km (estimated full route)

Competitive Stages: 403.34 km

Surface: Gravel (fast, flowing)

Rally New Zealand’s wide, cambered gravel roads played perfectly to Marcus Grönholm’s aggressive yet composed driving style. With expert use of the Peugeot 206 WRC’s nimble handling, he dominated the smooth, high-speed stages south of Auckland, fending off strong challenges from Citroën and Subaru to take an emphatic victory.

Route

Te Akau Coast: A long, fast stage with sweeping bends and coastal wind exposure — rewarded bravery and throttle control.
Whaanga Coast: A rally favorite with elevation drops, tight corners, and incredible rhythm through pine forests.
Riverhead Forest: Technical and shaded — traction varied heavily depending on the time of day and recent rainfall.

New Zealand’s roads are known for their high-speed flow, smooth surface, and natural camber. Key stages included:

Clear weather and firm gravel provided consistent grip and allowed drivers to push the limits without major dust or vision concerns — perfect for flat-out rallying.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Marcus Grönholm & Timo Rautiainen · Peugeot 206 WRC
2nd Place
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3rd Place
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Grönholm set the pace from the outset, consistently posting fastest times and fending off pressure from Carlos Sainz and Petter Solberg. With no major errors across three legs, he controlled the rally and delivered Peugeot its first win of the season on southern hemisphere soil.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Cambered Roads: Unique road profiles allowed high-speed cornering — perfect pacenotes were essential for carrying maximum speed.
  • Grip Consistency: Early morning moisture and loose gravel required caution on the first pass but rewarded commitment later in the loop.
  • Stage Flow: Long stages meant one error could cost the rally — Grönholm’s rhythm and confidence gave him the edge from start to finish.

The 2003 Rally New Zealand marked a pivotal victory for Grönholm in the early championship battle, cementing his status as one of the fastest gravel drivers in the sport’s history and showcasing the Peugeot 206 WRC’s lasting competitiveness on fast, flowing terrain.

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