AUCKLAND, April 14: Finnish world rally driver Kristian Sohlberg has been fined and had his racing licence suspended for allegedly driving at speed along a public footpath in the far north of New Zealand, organisers said on Monday.

He was one of three drivers, including former world champion Tommi Makinen, charged with driving offences during the New Zealand Rally, which ended on Sunday.

The three are due to appear in Whangarei District Court.

Sohlberg appeared before a Rally New Zealand stewards’ hearing for driving offences.

Rally spokesman Ian Hepenstall said Sohlberg was fined US$5,000 and had his racing licence suspended for six months.

Spanish rally driver Daniel Sola was also fined $250 for alleged driving offences.

Earlier, Makinen was fined $9,800 and handed a hefty five-minute time penalty by the stewards for allegedly driving at 99 kilometres per hour in a temporary 50kmh speed zone.

The rally was won by Peugeot driver Marcus Gronholm.—AFP