Preparations are ramping up for Rally New Zealand, with one of the all-time greats to return to the event next month.
Newshub can exclusively reveal eight-time world champion Sebastien Ogier will headline the event, with the Frenchman declaring New Zealand as one of his favourite rally destinations.
He's also looking for redemption, after coming so close to victory in his only other appearance in the country.
"It was clearly coming pretty much on top of the list of rallies I wanted to do this year," Ogier said.
Ogier will be the top attraction, with the series finally coming back to New Zealand, after a decade-long hiatus from the World Rally Championship.
"The rally itself is really beautiful," he said. "The roads are the best in the world for rallying, also I have a very good memory about the country."
Rally NZ chairman Peter Johnston couldn't be happier with the calibre of drivers that will be on display, with Ogier the icing on the cake.
"They love our roads, they love coming and competing in New Zealand," he said. "To have the best there and we could have a championship decider here, it's a win-win for us."
A part-time competitor these days, Ogier is not in the championship hunt, but is after redemption, after narrowly missing out on victory when he was last here in 2010.
"There's still some unfinished business there maybe, so that's another reason to come back," he said. "Still, I hope to be competitive obviously and fight for the top position."
You wouldn't bet against the French legend pulling off something special, although he's also got a few offroad plans as well.
"I do a lot of outdoor activities, like cycling and skiing or whatever, and I think New Zealand offers a really great playground for that."
