The horrific Victorian bushfires that have ravaged much of the southern Australian state have shocked the world, with whole towns destroyed and a death toll that has climbed into the hundreds.

The worst natural disaster in the country's history, now known as 'Black Saturday', has sparked an outpouring of grief  and support from countrymen eager to help those in need, with well over $75 million dollars having already been donated to bushfire appeals.

Planning is well under way for the 2009 Rally of Otago, which will be held in and around the New Zealand South Island city of Dunedin on May 16 and 17.

The event is round two of the New Zealand Rally Championship, and will include the popular International Classic Rally of Otago, which is again expected to attract some of world rallying’s superstars.

The French pairing of Michele Mouton and Fabrizia Pons have turned back the clock and driven an ex-works Audi Quattro at today’s Super Special Stage of the Otago Rally, in Dunedin, NZ.

Masterton husband and wife pairing Richard and Sara Mason have comfortably headed the competition for the first day of Rally Otago.
 
 

Finland’s Pasi Hagstrom has dominated the 2008 Dunlop International Classic Rally of Otago, winning all but two of the stages and taking victory by over three and a half minutes.

The Otago Rally has again provided exciting action for spectators on the roads around Dunedin.

Masterton’s Richard and Sara Mason comfortably won the Rally of Otago today to extend their overall lead in the Vantage Aluminium Joinery New Zealand Rally Championship.
 

The internet's video sites are starting to fill up with footage from the 2008 Otago Rally, with plenty of classy driving from this year's event - from both in the car and out of the car.

The date for the 2009 Rally of Otago has been confirmed as May 16 and 17, with the event running as round two of the New Zealand Rally Championship.

Ride with Australian driver, Darryn Snooks, aboard his Datsun Stanza during special stage 3 of the 2008 Otago Classic Rally.