Copyright © 2022 DirtFish, LLC. All rights reserved.
The points permutations are innumerable, but there’s only one situation where the points leader can win on his own
Photography by Red Bull
Words by Alasdair Lindsay
We’ve reached a key moment that’s been months in the making – the rally Kalle Rovanperä can wrap up a maiden World Rally Championship title with his own two hands, rather than needing results to go his way to wrap up the trophy early.
He crashed in both Ypres and Greece – the former a rollover that stopped him in his tracks, the latter an impact that cost him so much time he could only muster 15th overall.
Rovanperä’s margin has shrunk from 94 to 53 points after two wins on the bounce for Ott Tänak – but this time, there’s one potential scenario where the lead Toyota can clinch the crown regardless of what everyone else does.
Broadly speaking, Rovanperä has to outscore Tänak by eight points to seal the title, unless he wins in New Zealand – then the magic number would be seven. Why? Tänak won’t be able to match Rovanperä’s number of wins (six), thus ensuring any dead heat at season’s end would go the younger driver’s way in a tiebreaker.
There is one result, and one result only, that guarantees Rovanperä the title regardless of what anyone else does in New Zealand – winning both the rally and the powerstage. Anything short of a perfect score of 30 and Tänak has the power to keep the battle rolling on to Spain.
But what are the other combinations of results where Rovanperä can clinch the crown? We’ve listed every single one of them for your handy reference – all 107 of them:
If the following combinations of result occur, Rovanperä wins the title in New Zealand.
Rovanperä wins and finishes first on the powerstage:
Rovanperä is champion regardless of where other drivers finish
Rovanperä wins and finishes second on the powerstage:
Tänak is second overall and third or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä wins and finishes third on the powerstage:
Tänak is second overall and fourth or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä wins and finishes fourth on the powerstage:
Tänak is second overall and fifth or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä wins and finishes fifth on the powerstage:
Tänak is second overall and scores no powerstage points
Rovanperä wins and does not score powerstage points:
Tänak is second overall and scores no powerstage points
If the following combinations of result occur, Rovanperä wins the title in New Zealand.
Rovanperä is second overall and finishes first on the powerstage:
Tänak is third overall and scores no powerstage points
Tänak is fourth overall and third or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä is second overall and finishes second on the powerstage:
Tänak is fourth overall and fourth or lower on the powerstage
Tänak is fifth overall and second or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä is second overall and finishes third on the powerstage:
Tänak is fourth overall and fifth or lower on the powerstage
Tänak is fifth overall and fourth or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä is second overall and finishes fourth on the powerstage:
Tänak is fourth overall and scores no powerstage points
Tänak is fifth overall and fifth or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä is second overall and finishes fifth on the powerstage:
Tänak is fifth overall and scores no powerstage points
Tänak is sixth overall and third or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä is second overall and does not score powerstage points:
Tänak is fifth overall and scores no powerstage points
Tänak is sixth overall and fourth or lower on the powerstage
Tänak is seventh overall and second or lower on the powerstage
If the following combinations of result occur, Rovanperä wins the title in New Zealand.
Rovanperä is third overall and finishes first on the powerstage:
Tänak is fourth overall and scores no powerstage points
Tänak is fifth overall and fourth or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä is third overall and finishes second on the powerstage:
Tänak is fifth overall and fifth or lower on the powerstage
Tänak is sixth overall and third or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä is third overall and finishes third on the powerstage:
Tänak is fifth overall and scores no powerstage points
Tänak is sixth overall and fourth or lower on the powerstage
Tänak is seventh overall and second or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä is third overall and finishes fourth on the powerstage:
Tänak is sixth overall and fifth or lower on the powerstage
Tänak is seventh overall and third or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä is third overall and finishes fifth on the powerstage:
Tänak is sixth overall and scores no powerstage points
Tänak is seventh overall and fourth or lower on the powerstage
Tänak is eighth overall and second or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä is third overall and does not score powerstage points:
Tänak is seventh overall and fifth or lower on the powerstage
Tänak is eighth overall and third or lower on the powerstage
If the following combinations of result occur, Rovanperä wins the title in New Zealand.
Rovanperä is fourth overall and finishes first on the powerstage:
Tänak is sixth overall and fifth or lower on the powerstage
Tänak is seventh overall and third or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä is fourth overall and finishes second on the powerstage:
Tänak is sixth overall and scores no powerstage points
Tänak is seventh overall and fourth or lower on the powerstage
Tänak is eighth overall and third or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä is fourth overall and finishes third on the powerstage:
Tänak is seventh overall and fifth or lower on the powerstage
Tänak is eighth overall and fourth or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä is fourth overall and finishes fourth on the powerstage:
Tänak is seventh overall and scores no powerstage points
Tänak is eighth overall and fifth or lower on the powerstage
Tänak is ninth overall and second or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä is fourth overall and finishes fifth on the powerstage:
Tänak is eighth overall and scores no powerstage points
Tänak is ninth overall and third or lower on the powerstage
Tänak is 10th overall and second or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä is fourth overall and does not score powerstage points:
Tänak is eighth overall and scores no powerstage points
Tänak is ninth overall and fourth or lower on the powerstage
Tänak is 10th overall and third or lower on the powerstage
Tänak finishes outside the top 10 and finishes second or lower on the powerstage
Neuville first overall and second or lower on the powerstage
If the following combinations of result occur, Rovanperä wins the title in New Zealand.
Rovanperä is fifth overall and finishes first on the powerstage:
Tänak is seventh overall and fifth or lower on the powerstage
Tänak is eighth overall and third or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä is fifth overall and finishes second on the powerstage:
Tänak is seventh overall and scores no powerstage points
Tänak is eighth overall and fourth or lower on the powerstage
Tänak is ninth overall and second or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä is fifth overall and finishes third on the powerstage:
Tänak is eighth overall and scores no powerstage points
Tänak is ninth overall and fourth or lower on the powerstage
Tänak is 10th overall and second or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä is fifth overall and finishes fourth on the powerstage:
Tänak is eighth overall and scores no powerstage points
Tänak is ninth overall and fifth or lower on the powerstage
Tänak is 10th overall and third or lower on the powerstage
Tänak finishes outside the top 10 and finishes second or lower on the powerstage
Neuville first overall and second or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä is fifth overall and finishes fifth on the powerstage:
Tänak is ninth overall and scores no powerstage points
Tänak is 10th overall and fourth or lower on the powerstage
Tänak finishes outside the top 10 and finishes third or lower on the powerstage
Neuville first overall and third or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä is fifth overall and does not score powerstage points:
Tänak is ninth overall and scores no powerstage points
Tänak is 10th overall and fifth or lower on the powerstage
Tänak finishes outside the top 10 and finishes fourth or lower on the powerstage
Neuville first overall and fourth or lower on the powerstage
If the following combinations of result occur, Rovanperä wins the title in New Zealand.
Rovanperä is sixth overall and finishes first on the powerstage:
Tänak is eighth overall and fifth or lower on the powerstage
Tänak is ninth overall and third or lower on the powerstage
Tänak is 10th overall and second or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä is sixth overall and finishes second on the powerstage:
Tänak is eighth overall and scores no powerstage points
Tänak is ninth overall and fourth or lower on the powerstage
Tänak is 10th overall and third or lower on the powerstage
Tänak finishes outside the top 10 and finishes second or lower on the powerstage
Neuville first overall and second or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä is sixth overall and finishes third on the powerstage:
Tänak is ninth overall and fifth or lower on the powerstage
Tänak is 10th overall and fourth or lower on the powerstage
Tänak finishes outside the top 10 and finishes third or lower on the powerstage
Neuville first overall and third or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä is sixth overall and finishes fourth on the powerstage:
Tänak is ninth overall and scores no powerstage points
Tänak is 10th overall and fifth or lower on the powerstage
Tänak finishes outside the top 10 and finishes fourth or lower on the powerstage
Neuville first overall and fourth or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä is sixth overall and finishes fifth on the powerstage:
Tänak is 10th overall and scores no powerstage points
Tänak finishes outside the top 10 and finishes fifth or lower on the powerstage
Neuville first overall and fourth or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä is sixth overall and does not score powerstage points:
Tänak finishes outside the top 10 and scores no powerstage points
Neuville first overall and scores no powerstage points
If the following combinations of result occur, Rovanperä wins the title in New Zealand.
Rovanperä is seventh overall and finishes first on the powerstage:
Tänak is ninth overall and fifth or lower on the powerstage
Tänak is 10th overall and fourth or lower on the powerstage
Tänak finishes outside the top 10 and finishes third or lower on the powerstage
Neuville first overall and third or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä is eighth overall and finishes second on the powerstage:
Tänak is ninth overall and scores no powerstage points
Tänak is 10th overall and fifth or lower on the powerstage
Tänak finishes outside the top 10 and finishes fourth or lower on the powerstage
Neuville first overall and fourth or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä is seventh overall and finishes third on the powerstage:
Tänak is 10th overall and scores no powerstage points
Tänak finishes outside the top 10 and finishes fifth or lower on the powerstage
Neuville first overall and fourth or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä is seventh overall and finishes fourth on the powerstage:
Tänak finishes outside the top 10 and scores no powerstage points
Neuville first overall and scores no powerstage points
If the following combinations of result occur, Rovanperä wins the title in New Zealand.
Rovanperä is eighth overall and finishes first on the powerstage:
Tänak is 10th overall and scores no powerstage points
Tänak finishes outside the top 10 and finishes fifth or lower on the powerstage
Neuville first overall and fourth or lower on the powerstage
Rovanperä is seventh overall and finishes second on the powerstage:
Tänak finishes outside the top 10 and scores no powerstage points
Neuville first overall and scores no powerstage points
DirtFish 
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Copyright © 2022 DirtFish, LLC. All rights reserved.
Subaru Impreza STI Sedan & Hatchback Features
Roll Cage:
Every rally car requires a welded-in safety cage. The roll cages in our cars are built in-house from scratch.
Racing Seats:
Driver and co-driver need to be firmly mounted to the structure of the vehicle. The use of hinged-back seats in rally vehicles is prohibited in rally and most forms of racing.
Racing Harnesses:
Safety first. A minimum of a 5-point harness is required by all American rally sanctioning bodies. The 5 points consist of 2 shoulder harness, 2 lap belts and a single anti-submarine belt (not shown).
Handbrake:
Most rally cars use a hydraulic handbrake. The purpose of the handbrake maneuver is to turn a car around a very tight corner by locking up the rear wheels aiding in the rotation of the car around the corner.
Engine:
Our Subaru STi’s use a 2.5 liter 4-cylinder Turbo-charged Boxer engine.
Drive train:
The Subaru STi is equipped with an advanced all-wheel-drive system with an active center differential.
Gravel Rally Tires:
Being a rally school, we spend most of our time on gravel roads. To maximize the learning experience, we outfit all of our cars with the latest gravel rally tires for maximum traction.
Method Rally Wheels:
It is very important to have a durably strong, yet lightweight rally wheel that can hold up to constant abuse, rocks, rough roads and punctures. At DirtFish, we use and trust Method Race Wheels.
Suspension:
Rally is rarely on a perfectly smooth roads, because of that rally cars require suspension that can take the abuse. We choose to use Reiger rally suspension on our cars.
Brakes:
Rally cars commonly use a 15″ rally wheel. In order for the wheels to fit on our Subaru STi’s, we had to convert them to a Group N brake setup.
Underbody Protection:
Driving at high speeds over variable surfaces can easily damage parts. With the constant spray of gravel that gets thrown at them, skid plates and urethane underbody protection help with the longevity of the underbody of the cars.
Subaru BRZ Features
Roll Cage:
Every rally car requires a welded-in safety cage. The roll cages in our cars are built in-house from scratch.
Racing Seats:
Driver and co-driver need to be firmly mounted to the structure of the vehicle. The use of hinged-back seats in rally vehicles is prohibited in rally and most forms of racing.
Racing Harnesses:
Safety first. A minimum of a 5-point harness is required by all American rally sanctioning bodies. The 5 points consist of 2 shoulder harness, 2 lap belts and a single anti-submarine belt (not shown).
Handbrake:
Most rally cars use a hydraulic handbrake. The purpose of the handbrake maneuver is to turn a car around a very tight corner by locking up the rear wheels to aid the rotation of the car around the corner.
Engine:
The Subary BRZ is powered by a 2.0 liter naturally aspirated Boxer engine.
Drive train:
The Subaru BRZ is rear-wheel-drive and equipped with a limited slip differential.
Gravel Rally Tires:
Being a rally school, we spend most of our time on gravel roads. To maximize the learning experience, we outfit all of our cars with the latest gravel rally tires for maximum traction.
Method Rally Wheels:
It is very important to have a durably strong, yet lightweight rally wheel that can hold up to constant abuse, rocks, rough roads and punctures. At DirtFish, we use and trust Method Race Wheels.
Suspension:
Rally is rarely on a perfectly smooth roads, because of that rally cars require suspension that can take the abuse. We choose to use Reiger rally suspension on our cars.
Brakes:
Rally cars commonly use a 15″ rally wheel. Luckily with the Subaru BRZ’s, the stock brake system is more than adequate for our programs.
Underbody Protection:
Driving at high speeds over variable surfaces can easily damage parts. With the constant spray of gravel that gets thrown at them, skid plates and urethane underbody protection help with the longevity of the underbody of the cars.
Below you will find an aerial view of the DirtFish property. Go through and check out the courses you’ll be driving on during your driving program! View everything from The Slalom all the way up to our longest course, the Advanced Mill Run!