New Zealand were among 20 countries competing for a spot in World Rally Championship's 2020 Calendar.
The news on Friday that rally's marquee event was returning to New Zealand roads was music to the ears of organisers.
Auckland was confirmed as the 10th stop of the 14-round calendar next year – the 33rd time New Zealand will host a round of the WRC.
Rally New Zealand chair Peter Johnstone had worked tirelessly to get the deal across the line, starting back in 2016, when he tried to secure an event for 2017.
That fell flat, but he didn't give up hope.
When rumours began circulating that WRC promoters were unhappy with Rally Australia's venue at Coff's Harbour, Rally New Zealand promoters were ready.
The combination of that and keeping in constant contact with promoters - as well as a gap in the Auckland market for an international event in 2020 - meant the stars aligned for Johnstone and his team.
"It's fantastic for New Zealand," Johnstone told Newshub. "It's fantastic for New Zealand motorsport."
Like its roads, New Zealand has a long and winding history with world rallying, hosting rounds since 1977 and witness to the second-closest winning margin in WRC history, when Marcus Grönholm beat Sebastian Loeb by 0.3s in 2007.
The seven-year absence has been felt.
But its return to the calendar, alongside fellow additions Kenya (Safari Rally) and Japan, was welcomed by some of the category's leading drivers.
"It's a rally everyone wants to go as a driver," Frenchman Thierry Neuville said.
"One of the greatest rally roads in the world you can find," Jari-Matti Latvala added.
The only question now is whether New Zealand's best rally driver, Hayden Paddon, will join them next year.
Paddon's endured a tough few years in the championship.
In 2018, he lost his full-time drive with Hyundai and this year, he lost his drive completely, only to be handed a lifeline by rival manufacturer M-Sport at Rally Finland.
An unfortunate accident before the start ruled him out, but he's been given another chance in two of the remaining three rallies this season.
While Paddon wasn't available for comment today, Newshub understands his performance in Great Britain and Australia will determine whether he gets a contract in 2020, and the chance to drive in front of his home fans.
"The last time we had an international rally driver of that calibre was Possom Bourne and people always love coming to the Rally of New Zealand to see their star drive in it," Johnstone said.
"But Hayden, he'll be there [in a WRC seat], I'm sure"
As ambassador to Rally NZ, Paddon will play a part regardless, helping organisers determine stages and routes over the coming weeks.
Johnstone said they were likely to finalise the route sometime next month, but did confirm a likely special stage in downtown Auckland.
Finalising the route isn't the only thing that needs to be done between now and September. Organising 1800 volunteers, spectator safety and health and safety are all items to be checked off the list.
More importantly, the event needs a naming-rights sponsor, but Johnstone's confident that won’t be a problem.
"The phone's ringing already. People want to be aboard and they want the rally back."
Newshub.
