Fan Friendly Stages for Repco Rally New Zealand

From the start at the iconic Pukekawa Auckland Domain, to the renowned Whaanga Coast, Kaipara Hills and with the grand finale in Auckland’s coolest backyard, the Repco Rally New Zealand will offer international drivers a challenge like no other.

Organisers of the 32nd Rally New Zealand today released details of the stages that will make up the 11th round of the 2022 FIA World Rally Championship in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland in September.

The Rally route comprises 17 stages with 275kms of racing over four days from 29 September to 2 October. The event’s central hub will be at Auckland’s waterfront with a fan zone at the Repco Rally Village and Service Park, spanning Silo Park, Wynyard Point and Halsey Wharf.

Rally New Zealand will kick off with a Super Special Stage at Pukekawa Auckland Domain on Thursday 29 September, featuring an exciting 1.4km test that will showcase Auckland City to a huge worldwide audience.

With the support of the Auckland Domain Committee and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, the Super Special Stage will be free to attend and will be the first time kiwi fans can see the new WRC Rally1 hybrid cars in action.

The Auckland Domain has enjoyed a long association with the event, having successfully hosted rounds of the World Rally Championship from 1986 to 1990 and then most recently in 2010 and 2012.

Mayor Phil Goff says the World Rally Championship will be welcomed by fans and will provide a boost to businesses in the region.

“With a central hub and fan zone in downtown Auckland and racing on some of the region’s most iconic courses, the World Rally Championship will draw thousands of visitors to Auckland from New Zealand and around the world,” he says.

“For the first time, this year’s event will also incorporate the sport’s move to new hybrid cars running on 100 percent sustainable and renewable synthetic fuel, signalling a new commitment to sustainability and reducing emissions.

“With an expected global television audience of more than 70 million fans, The World Rally Championship will shine an international spotlight on our region and provide a welcome boost for tourism, hospitality and accommodation businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

After the buzz of the opening night, Repco Rally New Zealand will head south to the Waikato for six special stages, highlighted with two passes through Whaanga Coast near Raglan, one of the world’s greatest rally stages.

There will also be a double pass of Te Akau North and Te Akau South to complete an epic Friday that features 156km of racing that will go a long way towards determining the final outcome of the event.

On Saturday 1 October, the competitors will be back in Auckland for the first time in 20 years to take on the brilliant, cambered corners of Kaipara Hills, followed by Puhoi and Komokoriki stages.

The final day comprises a double run on a new stage at Whitford Forest Te Maraunga Waiho along with two passes through the remarkable purpose-built 6.5km circuit at Jack’s Ridge Haunui.

The Jack’s Ridge Haunui stage, built by owner Andrew Hawkeswood on his property in Whitford, will complete the rally as the Wolf Power Stage. The Jack’s Ridge Haunui venue will provide unique stadium-like viewing for fans who can watch the cars battle for valuable world championship points and where the champion of Repco Rally New Zealand will be crowned.

“It is a remarkable collection of the most famous stages that have given Rally New Zealand the mantle as having the world’s best flowing gravel roads,” said Stuart Barnett, Clerk of the Course for Repco Rally New Zealand.

“Add to that an opening Super Special Stage at Auckland Domain, the spectacular stages north and south of the city, and an exciting spectacle at Jacks Ridge, and this promises to be an event offering a range of spectacular viewing opportunities.

“Repco Rally New Zealand could not be a better advertisement for Tāmaki Makaurau where a global television audience of more than 70 million fans will see the diverse landscapes of our region.”

Fans attending the World Rally Championship round in Auckland this September can purchase tickets or hospitality for all days of the rally, including the Jack’s Ridge stage at www.rallynewzealand.com.

International fans are encouraged to visit www.wrctoursnz.com to enquire about a customised tour package.

The daily rally route is:

Thursday, 29 September
Shakedown, Inland Road: 9am
Super Special Stage 1: Pukekawa Auckland Domain, 1.4km, 6:08pm

Friday, 30 September:
Stage 2: Whaanga Coast 1, 29.7km, 8.33am
Stage 3: Te Akau South 1, 31.02km, 10.11am
Stage 4: Te Akau North 1, 18.20km, 11.14am

Stage 5: Whaanga Coast 2, 29.7km, 2.22pm
Stage 6: Te Akau South 3, 31.02km, 4pm
Stage 7: Te Akau North, 18.20km, 5.03pm

Saturday 1 October:
Stage 8: Kaipara Hills 1, 15.83km, 8.08am
Stage 9: Puhoi 1, 22.63kmm 9:06am
Stage 10: Komokoriki 1, 5.6km, 10.14am

Stage 11: Kaipara Hills 2, 15.83km, 2.08pm
Stage 12: Puhoi 2, 22.63km, 3.06pm
Stage 13: Komokoriki 2, 5.6km, 4.24pm

Sunday 2 October:
Stage 14: Whitford Forest Te Maraunga Waiho 1, 8.75km, 10.32am
Stage 15: Jack’s Ridge Haunui 1, 6.42km, 12.08pm
Stage 16: Whitford Forest Te Maraunga Waiho 2, 8.75km, 1.18pm
Stage 17: Jack’s Ridge Haunui 2, 6.42km, 3.18pm.