Vale: Mark Tapper, 1981-2025

Tapper started his career in New Zealand and progressed through the ranks alongside Jeff Judd in a series of Mitsubishis scoring several top results.

They were the first Kiwis home at Rally New Zealand in 2005, and further success followed for Tapper.

An Asia-Pacific Rally Championship campaign took him around the region in 2006, then he ran a front-wheel drive Ford Fiesta in the New Zealand Rally Championship a year later that gained him the Group N 2WD championship and a spot in the Fiesta Sporting Trophy International Shootout final.

He continued to collect big wins when he won the Pirelli Star Driver award in 2008, preceding fellow New Zealander Hayden Paddon in winning such a prize.

This win secured a career-changing program in the Production World Rally Championship and a chance to compete against the world’s best.

In the season of 2009, he ran a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X in the PWRC and went to six rounds including Portugal, Italy, Greece, Finland, Spain and Great Britain.

That Pirelli Star Driver program was supplemented with a drive at Rally Australia that same season in an Evo IX.

Failing to finish in every round of the year, pressure was on the then 28-year-old for a strong result at the final round in GB. It would be his finest international performance.

Fifth in the PWRC and 17th overall in that rally was his best WRC finish and concluded a year competing alongside the likes of Armindo Araujo, Martin Prokop and Nasser Al-Attiyah.

The Pirelli Star Driver year included several off-road excursions, but also a fair share of mechanical failures.

Just a few events followed after his 2009 season, including his last attempt at Rally New Zealand the following year.

Tributes have flowed in from across New Zealand.

“A real character, competitive and talented steerer – enjoyed every moment with Mark and co both on/off the stages,” Former New Zealand Rally Champion, Chris West, shared.

“Mark was always one of the first to support us and give a bit of stick/encouragement when needed,” said Hayden Paddon.

“I would say he was one of the most gifted rally drivers in NZ – never afraid to commit that little more, keep it a gear higher and leave nothing on the table.

“Following in his footsteps in the Pirelli Star Driver, the memories and stories that he left behind in Europe will be forever remembered by many.”

Mark Tapper had just turned 44.

RallySport Magazine extends its condolences to Mark’s family and friends.