Traffic stops as rally rocks in

A groovy Brit-Pop street party was held in Masterton's CBD yesterday to welcome the Great British Car Rally into town.

The rally has been organised by the British High Commission and participants are travelling from Auckland to Christchurch.

Lookalike celebrities who made an appearance included Austin Powers and Ozzy Osbourne.

Organiser Ross Church said the rally was open to anybody with an interest in British cars.

"It's going better than we expected," he said.

He was amazed at the effort towns had put in to welcome the cars.

British High Commissioner Vicki Treadell is driving the whole tour.

"We've really had a fantastic time," she said.

"It's been huge fun. The drivers are an eclectic bunch, some great characters."

She said the rally was a great opportunity to showcase British cars and to encourage people to buy British.

Masterton mayor Garry Daniell said he was delighted drivers in the rally had decided to stop off in town and enjoy the festivities.

"We hope all the older ones will manage to get over the Rimutaka Hill," he said.

Auckland's Tony Niklin was driving his 2005 Lotus elise turbo. It's thought to be the only car of its kind in the country.

"I'm having a blast," he said.

Lindsay Stephens, also of Auckland, was driving a 1937 Kestrel Sprite and "having a lovely time".

"The car's gone well," he said.

The rally is fundraising for four New Zealand charities - the Starship Foundation, Save the Children Fund, Stepping Stone Trust and Christchurch City Mission.

Sponsors of the event include Aston Martin, Bentley, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mini and Rolls- Royce.

The rally was due to arrive in Wellington last night for a parliamentary reception.