The date for the 2010 Otago Rally has been confirmed as April 10 and 11, with the event moving forward from its traditional May date.

Rally New Zealand, the country’s World Rally Championship round, has been scheduled for early May, forcing Otago Rally organisers to move the Dunedin based event forward by five weeks.

“We’re pleased to be able to announce the April 10 and 11 date for next year’s rally,” Clerk of Course, Norman Oakley, said.

“We had no option but to move our event to April, but this will bring some benefits too, with warmer weather and longer days.  

“Being the week after Easter it also opens up the opportunity to
combine in with the Easter break, something which may be attractive to
our competitors from further afield and overseas.”

The Otago Rally will be the first round of the New Zealand Rally
Championship, and will also include the Dunlop International Otago
Rally for classic cars. A third event, the Allcomers Rally, will run
over the same stages.

“Planning for the 2010 event is already well under way with some new stages likely to be included in the route,” Oakley added.

“We will continue to include the rally’s famous stages, such as Kuri
Bush, Waipori Gorge and Whare Flat, however the addition of new roads
will keep the event fresh for competitors and spectators alike.”