As the drivers of vintage cars eagerly anticipated a taste of ocean air in the Brighton Car Rally, 12 of Otago's quickest athletes took part in the Timebuster race to beat the 10 o'clock chimes of the Town Hall clock in a race around the Octagon.
Vintage Car Club Otago Branch Brighton Rally organiser Tony Devereux said 22 cars and two motorcycles, all pre-1919 and from throughout Otago and Southland, took the leisurely drive from Dunedin to the Brighton Domain.
Anywhere else in the world, cars of such vintage would be on display in museums, but he said a distinct "New Zealand flavour" meant we preferred to see ours in action.
In its 56th year, the car rally is reputedly the oldest in the southern hemisphere.
Taking part in the rally for the 56th time was a 1900 Wolseley Voiturette, which is believed to be the only one of its type in the world.
Gary Winter was the third generation of his family to drive the car in the rally, after his father, Colin Winter.
Vintage car enthusiasts Ernest and Brenda George and their daughter Rebecca, of Oamaru, took part in their first rally with their 1915 Overland Tourer.
They all dressed in period clothing for the event, which was "part of the fun", Mrs George said.
The car was imported from the United States 18 months ago.
"They are a lot of work, but we love them," she said.
However, being part of the rally was more than just about cars; it was about the people you met and the social aspect as well, she said.
Hundreds took the opportunity to inspect the vehicles in the Octagon and at Brighton.
At the domain, the group had lunch and were run through their paces in a series of field tests.
Mr Devereux said the day "went beautifully" and he was pleased the "weather came right".
Rally-goers attended a dinner on Saturday night and a prizegiving at Glenfalloch yesterday.
