Rallying is up and running again in New Zealand's South Island, with the Otago Sports Car Club conducting the Whare Flat hillclimb on Sunday. In fine (but freezing cold) conditions, Scott Simpson took victory after three runs of the popular stage.

Scott Simpson battled the icy -5 temperature as he drives to victory in his Volkswagen Polo. Pic: Fast Exposure Photography

His Volkswagen Polo finished a second and a half clear of Ben Terry in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, with Glenn Frew driving another Lancer into third place. Local hero, Emma Gilmour, finished in fourth place, driving a brand new Ford Fiesta owned by David Kirk. "Very lucky girl today - I got to drive David Kirk's new Fiesta at the local OSCC Whare Flat hill climb," Gilmour said. "So much fun to be back in the driver's seat and on such a wicked piece of road. Was a bit icy in patches all day to keep us on our toes. A big THANK YOU to Kirky for letting me drive his new baby. 😁😁😁" Fifth place went to James Mitchell in another Lancer Evo, while Chris Hey was the first two-wheel drive car home in sixth place, driving a Toyota MR220.

Ben Terry was second in his big-winged Lancer Evo. Pic: Fast Exposure Photography

Dunedin-based Aussie, John Spencer, finished 17th in his Datsun 1600. Temperatures dropped as low as minus five in the hills above Dunedin, making life difficult for officials and photographers alike.

James Mitchell pushed hard on his way to fifth place at Whare Flat. Pic: Fast Exposure Photography

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