Rally fans have another reason to head to April’s Rally of Otago, with news that American singer/songwriter, Paul Simon, will play in Dunedin on the Saturday night of the rally.

RallySport Magazine are currently putting together a spectator tour for the 2013 International Classic Rally of Otago, to be held in New Zealand's South Island in April.

This year's Otago Rally will feature former World Rally Champion, Miki Biasion (Porsche 911 RS) and four-time Australian Rally Champion, Neal Bates (Toyota Celica), among the classic rally competitors, while the event also doubles as the first round of the 2013 New Zealand Rally Championship.

The Rally of Otago will return to an all-daylight format in 2013, with more public road stages and the return of the legendary Dansey’s Pass stage.

The rally, to be held from April 5 to 7, will be the first round of the New Zealand Rally Championship and will also include the International Classic Rally of Otago, and the Allcomers Rally.

Two more big name competitors have joined the entry list for the 2013 International Classic Rally of Otago as international teams continue to flock to the Dunedin-based event.

Hot on the heels of four-time Australian Rally Champion, Neal Bates, entering his Toyota Celica, fellow Aussies, Jeff David and Stewart Reid, have announced their intentions.

Four-time Australian Rally Champion, Neal Bates, will make his International Classic Rally of Otago debut in April, when he goes up against two-time World Rally Champion, Miki Biasion.

The Toyota stalwart will bring his 1980 Toyota Celica RA40 to New Zealand after convincingly winning the classic component of this year’s Australian Rally Championship.

The international flavour at the Classic Rally of Otago will continue in 2013, with the addition of two Australian-built Alfa Romeos.

The two cars have remained in New Zealand after November’s Silver Fern Rally, and will be re-prepared ahead of the April 5 to 7 event.

Two-time World Rally Champion, Miki Biasion, will drive a Porsche 911 in the 2013 Classic Rally of Otago from April 5 to 7, joining a long list of international stars that have contested the event.

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.
 

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.

The Rally of Otago will return to its regular place as the opening round of the New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC) in 2013.

The Dunedin-based rally will be held from April 12 to 14 next year, and is one of only two events in the 2013 championship to be held over more than one day.