The 2010 Otago Rally has had a route plotted that will provide a fantastic challenge for all competitors, and will draw together all the factors that have made rallying in New Zealand world class.  

The 2010 Otago Rally will include a number of changes, including brand new stages, when the event kicks off in central Dunedin on Friday, April 9.

As a round of the New Zealand Rally Championship, the April 10 and 11
event will also include the popular Dunlop International Classic Rally
of Otago, and the Allcomers Rally.

The event has attracted some of world rallying's biggest names in
recent years, including Juha Kankkunen, Hannu Mikkola, Bjorn Waldegard
and Alister McRae, and a full field of some of the world's best drivers
is once again expected.

For 2010 the rally route will start on stages in North Otago which
haven't been used since 2001.  These are fast, flowing stages on
beautiful smooth roads that will provide  a real challenge to drivers.

For the first time since 2001, the Otago Rally will use the famous
Danseys Pass – a classic sub-Alpine road that was once used in the
Rally of New Zealand.

According to event Clerk of Course, Norman Oakley, the 2010 Otago Rally will be a real test of driver and machine.

“The event will be a return to the way things were done years ago, with
no centralised service parks, longer touring stages, and with a real
emphasis on adventure,” Oakley said.

“We'll return to the Middlemarch area for stages that were used in
2009, but we've also included new stages such as Ritchie Road and Shag
Valley Back Road that have never been used by the event before.”

However, Oakley points out that the traditional, and signature Otago Rally stages, will return as well.

“World class stages such as Kuri Bush, Whare Flat, Waipori Gorge and
the tarmac super special stage will once again form part of the two-day
route as well,” he added.

In all, the 2010 rally will offer competitors 16 special stages
covering 265 kilometres of competitive driving, with a total event
distance of 780 kilometres.

A one-pass reconnaissance will be available to all competitors prior to
the rally, however the distance involved in 2010 means that the recce
will take place on the afternoon of Thursday, April 8, and on Friday,
April 9.

The rally proper will get under way with a ceremonial start at the
historic Dunedin Railway Station on the Friday night, before the rally
hits the gravel stages early on Saturday morning.

Supplementary Regulations and the Rally Guide will be available in the
coming weeks, with the Intention To Enter Form already available from
the event website.