Mosgiel was woken on Thursday morning by the rumble of engines as the Targa Rally rolled in to town.
Hundreds of classic rally cars, modern street machines and even exotic hypercars descended on Peter Johnstone Park for a service stop before roaring off to the George King Memorial Drive stage near Outram.
Taieri Rugby Football Club president John Freeland said the club was more than happy to accommodate the Targa Rally.
''It's fantastic seeing all the cars,'' he said.
''Its nice to see the community centre used. The more use we can get, the better.''
Mr Freeland is just one of the 2500 volunteers who have kept the wheels of the Targa Rally rolling.
He was sure that accommodating the Targa Rally would greatly benefit the Taieri.
''It could be those guys want accommodation and food. Just with what they're putting into the local economy, I'm just happy to see the area used.''
Peter Johnstone Park was the first service stop of the day for drivers after completing the Larnach stage on Otago Peninsula.
The stage definitely got the adrenaline pumping for Eddie Grooten, of Auckland, in his 1978 Porsche 911.
''That was crazy driving,'' he said.
''One [stage] you want to keep your wits up on.''
Unfortunately, some drivers did not have much luck with the stage. Nelson Horrell, of Winton, nursed his Nissan Silvia into the service stop sporting fresh panel damage.
''I went into a ditch,'' he said.
With the damage only cosmetic, Horrell was still enthusiastic about the event.
''The last time we did it was in 2004 in the North Island and when it came down south we couldn't pass up the opportunity.''
When drivers were briefly able to take their minds off racing, they were quick to acknowledge the community hosting the Targa.
''We understand that not everyone is as keen on motorsport as we are. We feel very thankful that people let us use the roads for this kind of event,'' Mr Grooten said.
- Alistair Lynn
