Gronholm eyes record fifth win in Rally

Gronholm eyes record fifth win in Rally

New Zealand Two-time World Rally Champion Marcus Gronholm can remember his first victory in Rally New Zealand back in 2000. He hopes he does not have the same hair-raising test this week in his quest to become the most successful driver ever in Rally New Zealand.

A fifth win in the 11 th Round of the FIA World Rally Championship will make the lanky Finn the most successful driver in the history of the event, going ahead of the four wins of Spain’s Carlos Sainz. The 38th Rally New Zealand will be based in Hamilton, heading to the King Country, Waikato and Franklin districts from this Friday.

Gronholm survived a spectacular incident on the final day in the Maramarua Forest in 2000, recovering to beat Colin McRae for the win on the way to his first World Championship title.

“I remember it at the time. I recall that we got through that incident but somehow I do not know how. We did thankfully and it was a good year for us,” Gronholm said. He would like to think a fifth win here next week will also pave the way to a third World Championship title, coming to New Zealand with an eight-point advantage over two-time World Champion Sebastien Loeb.

“Eight points is not so many. So my aim is to go all out for the win here, and of course we cannot make a mistake. “I like the roads here. They are a lot like we have at home in Finland, and that has always made it very enjoyable here in New Zealand.”

However Gronholm is putting thoughts of a fifth win in New Zealand, which would take him past Carlos Sainz as the most successful driver in the 38-year history of the event, out of his thoughts. “You know it would be very nice. But I have not really thought about it. I am first needing to concentrate on winning.”

Rally New Zealand starts with the traditional shakedown test at Mystery Creek on Thursday 30 August ahead of the Ceremonial Start in downtown Hamilton on Thursday evening.

The rally proper begins on Friday 31 August in the Otorohanga and Waitomo region, day two is in the Franklin District and northern Waikato and final day in Raglan, with Super Special stages each day back at the Rally Headquarters and Service Park at Mystery Creek.

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