Tuesday , 27 September 2022
For a decade, Finland has been praised for having the best roads in the FIA World Rally Championship. Toyota Gazoo Racing Team Principal – and most proud of the Finns – Jari-Matti Latvala believes that can no longer be the case.
This week’s Repko Rally New Zealand (29 September – 2 October) brings back a set of stages loved around the world – even in Finland.
“I have to admit,” Latvala said, “from the driver’s side, New Zealand has the best roads. I always say it this way: Finland has the best atmosphere to rally, but New Zealand has stages.
“The Good Thing About the Roads [in New Zealand] Camel is, by the way, you can take more speed into the corner. The steps are generally quite fast and they flow well. Well, we don’t have the same jumps as we do in Finland, but they are great to drive nonetheless. ,
One person who knows how the roads around Auckland stack up against Jyvskyl is the man who won in Finland this summer, Ot Tanak – and the Estonian’s verdict is equally positive.
He said, “It’s as if they were made to rally. I participated in Rally New Zealand 10 years ago and I have good memories of the event, so I look forward to going back.”
“I’ve been watching videos to refresh myself and the roads look great.”
The waiting is over: By the end of this week, drivers will have decided where the cherished mantle of the world’s best roads lies.