Defending manufacturers world champion, Toyota Team Europe, are confident of success at the New Zealand round of the series next week after better than expected results during the first half of the international rally season.
Their best result, victory at the Tour de Corse in France by Frenchman, Didier Auriol in the new Celica GT-Four put them within five points of leading manufacturer, Mitsubishi.
"We have already achieved more with the new car this season than some people thought was possible," said Team President, Ove Andersson. "Of course there's always a lot to do, but we are on the right road." As the world championship moves to the southern hemisphere, which includes the New Zealand event, Toyota lies second by a narrow margin and is well placed to defend the title won in 1993 and retained last year.
"The New Zealand rally is not one on which I have had much luck so far," said Ove Andersson. "We finished third in 1991 and 1993, but this year would be a good time to change all that, because this year I really need the points to defend my title."
Auriol is part of the spectacular three car Toyota team, which on paper is the strongest in the Smokefree Rally New Zealand. Four times world champion, Juha Kankkunen from Finland, has an excellent record in New Zealand with victory in 1986 and second placings in 1991 and last year.
"The roads are just like home in Finland, so we shall be starting with some confidence," said Kankkunen.
Kankkunen left the tyre and suspension test programme for the New Zealand rally to the third team member, German, Armin Schwarz to give the Finn plenty of time to marry his long time girlfriend, Pirjo.
The three strong Toyota team will be supported by another Toyota Celica GT-Four in the hands of Japanese driver, Yoshio Fujimoto, fresh from his fine victory for the team on the Safari Rally.
The Smokefree Rally New Zealand starts in Manukau City 27 July and finishes 30 July back at Manukau after three and a half days of rally through the central and northern parts of the North Island.