The event has a long and impressive history. The Otago Sports Car Club (OSCC) first ran a rally in 1976 and has done so almost every year since.

The Otago Rally has never been afraid to try new things, including:

• A tarmac super stage first run in 1996 to bring the event to the public. Run every year since, it’s always popular.
• The introduction of the Classic Rally in 1997 – initially to bolster entry numbers, it has proved very successful and developed a worldwide reputation.
• A special stage around the Forbury Park trotting track for three years in the 2000s.
• A pre-event motor show in downtown Dunedin.
• Night stages in recent years.

In 2001, international guest drivers were invited into the Classic Rally; British star Russell Brookes was the first guest. Several top drivers and World Champions have competed since, including Bjorn Waldegard, Hannu Mikkola, Juha Kankkunen and Ari Vatanen. The reuniting of Michele Mouton and Fabrizia Pons in 2008 – including a guest drive in a genuine Audi Quattro around the Super Stage – is an unlikely-to-be-repeated highlight. The appearance of guest drivers couldn’t happen without the ongoing support of Brent Rawstron and the Rossendale Team, and before him, Jeff Judd.

Challenges include succession planning – something the OSCC are well aware of, but haven’t completely solved yet. Finding new ideas to keep the event fresh is also a challenge, but the OSCC have done brilliantly to date.

This year’s event runs from April 7 to 9 with former WRC driver Markko Märtin returning to defend his 2016 win in the international classic rally field in a Ford Escort RS1800.