1977 Rally of New Zealand

The 1977 South Pacific Rally of New Zealand is part of NZ rallying legend, as Ari Vatanen and Jim Scott in the Masport Team Escort thrilled the crowds with a display of on the limit driving against the might of the 3 car factory Fiat team. Italian driver Fulvio Bachelli would eventually take victory for Fiat.

[@chrisburton6476]

7.21-11.23 Mystery Creek Hamilton. Rod Millen defeated all the works cars to win this stage outright! The works teams pace notes were of no advantage as Millen (Mazda RX3) eclipsed Ari Vatanen by 4 seconds and John Woolf (Mazda Rx3 6.30-6.49) in 3rd place 2 seconds behind Vatanen. I still giggle at Ari's comments about his renown NZ co driver Jim Scott. Ari said Jim started the rally looking like his father and finished it looking like his grandfather!

[@arkhsm]

16 year old me was there, rooting for Ari ! Millen knew Mystery Creek like the back of his hand due to many battles with Neil Allport's Escort. Those two had many great battles there, but, being a Ford man, I backed Neil !!

[@racing-rl4qg]

Bring it back

[@chrisburton6476]

@@arkhsm Did you mean Paul Adams?

[@arkhsm]

@@chrisburton6476 OK, it looks like I may be talking early 80's here ! In my defense, I'm talking at least 40 years ago. Those two did have some really good battles back then. Since I lived in Cambridge then, Mystery Creek was just up the road. I definitely was at the CREEK to see the Ford of Ari battle the Factory Fiats !!

[@chrisburton6476]

@@arkhsm Check out my Mystery creek uploads from 1977 and Motogard Rally 1978

[@cr10001]

I saw Ari go past in Maramarua Forest and he was just incredible. He did not lift off for corners, just put it sideways and floored it.

[@arkhsm]

Look how well he handled that crowded tight right hander in the vid; the one the Mazda boys both muffed !!

[@debmcgee9991]

I met him at the end of coast road stage at Wainuiomata, the car was munted , and that was like early in the trip, I have photos 'somewhere'

[@gnrsgl]

Gold

[@racing-rl4qg]

2:30 is that Alf Goldsbury rx3 ???