New Zealand drivers in the World Rally Championship

The World Brands Championship was created in 1973. New Zealand was not included in the calendar until 1977. The Europeans had monopolized the top of the ranking and Rod Millen finished best local representative (5^e) on his original Mazda RX-3. Two years later, with the introduction of a Drivers' title, the first New Zealanders immediately began to appear in the championship, but this was mainly due to their participation in their round. With very few official teams at the start in 1979, the rally had seen the Kiwis monopolize 8 of the first 10 places, Blair Robson slotting in between Hannu Mikkola and Ari Vatanen obtaining the most significant result of his career. It would then be necessary to wait until 1987 before a local returned to the podium. Having practically always driven Subarus, Peter Bourne began to appear in WRC in the mid-80s and the man who was nicknamed "Possum" after wrecking his mother's car while trying to avoid a possum, racked up 42 races at this level. After being the first New Zealander to obtain a factory steering wheel (at Prodrive), the Pukekoke driver enjoyed a more international career (USA, Safari, Argentina, Australia, Sweden, etc.). He tragically passed away in 2003 in a traffic accident.

Possum Bourne had a single experience in Sweden in 2003 (FRANCOIS FLAMAND / DPPI)

Less active, Rod Millen was however one of the pioneers by lining up for Rac in 1977 (21^e). Operating different versions of Mazda (RX-7, Familia 4WD, 323 4WD) at the Olympus in the USA, at the Rac (1985 in official colors), in Australia and of course his home meeting. That's where he took the 2^e place in 1989. Now aged 71, the man who has 19 participations in the WRC then stood out at Pikes Peak just like his son Rhys who has never raced in the world. Other competitors like Neal Allport have come to the elite several times (15 times in New Zealand) without experiencing the same success as Bourne or Millen.

Emma Gilmour competed in 12 WRC events (FRANCOIS BAUDIN / DPPI)

If Emma Gilmour (12 rallies), Richard Mason (11) or Malcolm Stewart (27 including a 3^e place in 1988) maintained the presence of the silver fern at this level, Hayden Paddon was the one who gave his best results to New Zealand. With 83 participations, 8 podiums including a victory (Argentina 2016) Geraldine's driver will once again be at the center of attention and the best chance for a Kiwi to feature in the country's return to the WRC.

Hayden Paddon represents best chance of result for local drivers