The story of the Kelly Gang may have ended when the famous Australian
bushrangers were killed in 1880, but the Kelly name continues to pop up.

In May, another Australian Kelly Gang will make their mark – this time in the motorsport world, and at the Dunlop International Classic Rally of Otago, in Dunedin, New Zealand.

Queenslanders Al Kelly, his sister Cate, and her daught, Erin, will head to Otago for the first time, with Al piloting a Ford Escort that he has leased especially for the event.

With Al behind the wheel, Erin will call the pacenotes, as she usually does in Queensland. The pair normally compete in an historic Renault Alpine A110 that has been given the Group 4 treatment by KCF Rallysport in Brisbane.

Cate had been planning on heading over to watch the Otago Rally from the sidelines and take photographs of some of her favourite rally stars but when the phone rang and there was an offer to co-driver in the event, it didn’t take long for her to change her plans – particularly when the ride is in a Ford Escort RS1800, which will be driven by Scott Melville.

“The Kelly Gang” are excited to be competing in such a classic event, alongside famous rallying names such as Michele Mouton and Fabrizia Pons, as well as a host of very fast local New Zealand drivers.

Whilst they don’t expect to win, they plan on using the 2008 Otago Rally as a practice run for 2009, when they will return – possibly with the pretty Renault Alpine.