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Q Explain where the Rally of Otago fits into the calendar.
A We are the first round of the New Zealand Rally Championship, which this year comprises six rallies from Whangarei in the north to Otago in the south. Most other rallies are one-day events but Otago is run over two days with 16 special stages.
Q What do the different classes mean?
A The rally is run in three divisions: NZ Rally Championship, International Classic Rally and Allcomers. Within each division there are a range of classes based around the capacity of the car's engine. The Classic Division is for cars built prior to 1987 and has the most entries, including Miki Biasion, a former world champion from Italy, and 12 Australian cars.
Q How many drivers/teams?
A There are 81 cars entered. Each has a crew of two (driver/co-driver) plus a service crew of four to five people to keep the car going.
Q Will it be the fastest cars or the smartest drivers that win?
A Good question. You need a fast car to win but a rally like this is also an endurance event. The winner will be a very fast driver who can adapt to a variety of road conditions and who will have a top-class co-driver calling the pace notes. It requires a real team effort inside the car and a winning combination normally takes years of experience andworking together. Luck plays a part. The fastest driver can be caught out by a minor mechanical problem, so car preparation is also vital.
Q How fast will the cars be going?
A The fastest cars will reach speeds in excess of 200kmh and on some stages will have an average speed of over 115kmh - all on gravel.
Q Any good tips for spots to watch the action?
A The spectator map in the Drivesouth section of the ODT (March 30) shows the good spots but a crowd favourite is always the tarmac ''super stage'' held on the streets of Dunedin (viewing on the Anzac Ave overbridge) on Saturday afternoon.
Q Can you pick a winner?
A Always difficult, but my guesses would be either Richard Mason or Hayden Paddon for the NZ Rally Championship division and the event overall, with Hayden having a slight edge. The Classic Rally will be fascinating with any one of the top 10 seeds in with a good chance. Neal Bates, former Australian rally champion, may well surprise here. In the Allcomers, Dean Bond, from Balclutha, will be the favourite.