New Zealand’s only driver in the World Rally Championship has put in a surprise entry for next month’s DriveSouth Rally of Otago.

Former national champion, Hayden Paddon, will drive a Subaru Impreza WRX STI on the event, just two weeks after contesting the World Championship qualifying Rally of Portugal.

To all competitors
 
We have had requests from some – particularly Christchurch based  - competitors as to whether they could compete in Rally Otago for one day in order to keep costs to a minimum, but still be able to score points towards the Mainland series.
 

Intending competitors in this year's DriveSouth Rally of Otago are reminded that they need to get their entry in by this Friday, March 11, to avoid the possibility of late entry fees.

The entry list is filling fast for what promises to be another brilliant Rally of Otago. 

The devastating earthquake which hit Christchurch and Canterbury early last week will not affect the running of this year’s DriveSouth Rally of Otago.

According to the rally’s Clerk of Course, Norman Oakley, everything is still on track for the April 8 to 10 event.

Matt Jansen's Prodrive built Subaru WRX.2009 Rookie and Junior New Zealand Rally Champion, Matt Jansen, will be behind the wheel of a new version of his successful MITECH WELDERS Subaru for the 2011 rally season.
 

Finland’s Ari Vatanen, one of the biggest names in world rallying, will be the star attraction at this year’s Classic Rally of Otago.

The 58-year old is widely regarded as the most popular rally driver ever, having won the 1981 World Rally Championship with an on-the-limit driving style that thrilled spectators the world over.

DriveSouth, the motoring publication of the iconic Otago Daily Times, will be the major sponsor of the Rally of Otago for the next two years.

To be held from April 8 to 10, the DriveSouth Rally of Otago will be the first round of the New Zealand Rally Championship, and will also include the popular International Classic Rally of Otago.

The itinerary for the 2011 Otago Rally is now available, and includes 15 special stages with a total competitive distance of over 278 kilometres.

The 2011 rally will begin with three 17 kilometre gravel stages on Friday night, including the popular Whare Flat test on the outskirts of Dunedin.

New Zealand's leading hotel chain, Scenic Hotels, has joined forces with the Otago Rally to become the event's accommodation partner in 2011.