Load the audio player
The Toyota driver extended his lead over his team to 32.0 seconds Sebastian OgierHis main rival for the title, Ot Thanak, He was third, 46.1 seconds behind. Rowanbera and his booty were divided in two morning stages on Sunday.
Rowanbera will secure his first world title if he wins the rally and scores at least two points in the power stage.
Thierry NeuvilleThe Hyundais finished the morning lap fourth ahead of their teammates Oliver Solberg. Former Hyundai WRC works driver and WRC2 class leader Hayden Baden was sixth overall ahead of M-Sport Rally1 privateer Lorenzo Bertelli.
For the first time since Thursday, the teams faced clear skies on the final day of Rally New Zealand, which began with a short 8.82km stage in the forest.
The lack of rain made the course very difficult for the first runners as the gravel surface was very loose and still full of puddles from the recent rains.
Rowanbera shows no signs of nervousness as a potential world title shot approaches. The Toyota driver took his fifth stage win in the rally, beating Ogier by 0.6 seconds in the event.
“I tried to get into a normal rhythm and we’ll see what we can do in the afternoon,” Rowanbera said. “It’s not crazy, I’m not really pushing, I just have to ride a little and start the day comfortably.”
Ott Tanak, Martin Jarveoja, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Photo: Red Bull content pool
Tanak was 1.6 seconds slower than Rowanpera, but the Estonian admitted his only goal was to reach the finish line of the rally.
However, the Estonian won the next test, the first pass on the artificial Jacks Ridge, which would serve as the final stage of the rally.
Surrounded by thousands of spectators, the Hyundai driver won by 1.7 seconds clear of Rowanbera, while Ogier was third in 4.1 seconds. The stage featured many jumps and crests that were about to become dramatic.
“I was very brave in some places and in one of them we were very close to crashing,” Tanak said. “It was a bit of a thrill.”
Tanak’s teammate Solberg was another of the pilots who was almost caught off guard by a jump that briefly knocked off his helmet visor as he landed.
“I’ve never jumped that high in my life,” said Solberg, who set the sixth-fastest time.
In WRC2, Baden led Kajetan Kajetanowicz by 2m14.9s following his dominance in the category. Supercars star Shane van Gisbergen, on his WRC debut, remained on the division podium, 1m05.9s behind.
The crew will repeat two stages this afternoon to complete the Rally of New Zealand.
“Typical beer advocate. Future teen idol. Unapologetic tv practitioner. Music trailblazer.”