Hey kids! Win some fantastic Otago Rally prizes simply by colouring in this great picture of Michele Mouton in her Audi Quattro.

It's less than a week until the Dunlop International Otago Classic Rally fires into action in Dunedin, and South Island speedster, Deane Buist, will be out to take back-to-back victories in the two-day event.

But who will be Buist's biggest threat for victory, and will a chance of car dampen the champion's chances?

We look at some of the drivers to watch.

2007 Rally of Otago winners, Richard and Sara Mason, will start as odds-on favourites to win this year’s event, to be run in and around Dunedin on May 10 and 11.

The 2008 Otago Rally's biggest drawcard, French woman Michele Mouton, has arrived in Dunedin for this weekend's Dunlop International Classic Rally.

This morning's shakedown for the 2008 Rally of Otago saw a number of drivers testing their cars ahead of this weekend's event.

The field for the Dunlop International Classic Rally of Otago may be a little thinner in terms of overseas drivers than in past years, but the form guide hints that the battle for victory could be just as intense as always.

Last year’s winner, Finnish star Pasi Hagstrom, is not competing this year, but his place in the field has been taken by one of the legendary McRae clan – Alister.

Former champion, and round one winner, Richard Mason, will start the Rally of Otago eager to build on his points haul in this year’s New Zealand Rally Championship.

Mason delivered the first blow in his battle with 2008 NZ Champion, Hayden Paddon, in the Hawke’s Bay Rally, taking victory ahead of former Dunedin girl Emma Gilmour, and the experienced Geof Argyle.

The Flying Scotsman, Alister McRae, hit the forests in his Ford Escort RS1800 yesterday, ahead of this weekend's Dunlop International Classic Rally of Otago.

The Flying Scotsman, Alister McRae, holds a commanding lead after the first day of the Dunlop International Classic Rally of Otago in Dunedin.

Driving a Ford Escort RS1800, McRae and co-driver, Erin Kyle, hold a one minute and 34 second lead over the Nissan-powered Escort of Derek Ayson, while Brad Goldsbrough is the first of the Australians in third place in his Datsun 1600.

Today’s first day in the 2009 Southern Cross Hotel Rally of Otago has seen a close battle between defending series champion Hayden Paddon and current leader Richard Mason swing the way of the challenger late in the afternoon.

The second of five rounds in the Vantage New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC), the two-day rally uses a mixture of forest and county roads around Dunedin in central Otago.