Eastern Southland motorsport is celebrating the new year, knowing it runs one of the best events of its kind in the country.
Its major event, the 2008 Gore Rally, won the Rally of the Year title in the five-round event that made up the New Zealand Mainland Rally Series last year.
It is the third year in a row the club has scored the coveted title.
It completes a stellar motorsport hat trick for the club, which only revived its former Gore Rally two years ago and won the top award for its efforts.
It also won the best rally of the series for its 2007 Catlins Rally.
The Catlins event earned the title in 2003 as well.
Club spokesman Roger Laird said the club was thrilled.
The club alternately stages its Gore event and the Catlins Rally. This year the Catlins Coast Rally will be staged on August 1.
