Wrc World Rally New Zealand results: Kalle Rovanpera wins and world champion

taketonews

The Finn closes the fight for the 2022 World Rally with 2 races to spare. Toyota has a double win thanks to Ogier’s 2nd place, while Tanak (Hyundai) is also on the podium

Giulio Martina

02 October

– Milan

Kalle Rovanpera gets out of his Toyota Yaris in tears after the final round of the New Zealand Rally, the third to last round of the WRC 2022 World Rally. champion at 27 in 1995. After twenty years Finland returns to the throne of the world, the last world champion was Marcus Gronholm in 2002. Rovanpera’s talent suggests the opening of a new era in the top Rally category.

new zealand, king ruin

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Kalle Rovanpera and his navigator Jonne Halttunen needed to earn 7 points in Ott Tanak to become 2022 champions. The excellent work of teammate Sebastien Ogier (2nd) brought the title closer during the race, being the Estonian rival relegated to the third position. Last day which consisted of only 4 tests and the hierarchies froze pending the final power stage.

the power stage also ruins

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A victory in style for the Finnish crew who also prevailed in the final stage held on flooded roads. Sixth win of the season for the 22-year-old who actually dominated the season. Ogier and Tanak complete the podium, followed by the two Hyundai of Neuville and Solberg slowed down by technical problems on Saturday. The many retirements allow the winner of Wrc 2, the idol of the house Paddon (Hyundai), to close in sixth place overall. Best result ever for Lorenzo Bertelli (7th), first at Ford, eighth place for Kajetanowicz (Skoda) who earns heavy points for the Wrc 2 championship. The Skodas of local drivers Vangisbergen and Bates complete the top 10.

rally new zealand, the standings

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Clear victory for Rovanpera who made the difference in the wet tests on Saturday.

  1. Rovanpera (Toyota) 2h48’01 “4
  2. Ogier (Toyota) +34 “6
  3. Tanak (Hyundai) +48 “5
  4. Neuville (Hyundai) + 1’58 “8
  5. Solberg (Hyundai) + 3’55 “3
  6. Paddon (Hyundai, Wrc2) + 10’03 “3
  7. Bertelli (Ford) + 10’39 “

world rally, the ranking

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Sixty-four points ahead with 60 still available for Rovanpera who is mathematically world champion 2022. The next stage is the Rally of Spain from 20 to 23 October. Drivers standings:

  1. Rovanpera (Toyota) 237 points
  2. Tanak (Hyundai) 173
  3. Neuville (Hyundai) 144
  4. Evans (Toyota) 116
  5. Katsuta (Toyota) 100
  1. Toyota 455 points
  2. Hyundai 374
  3. M-Sport Ford 224

02 October 2022 – 09:16

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