Crash at Motorsport event kills driver

A 54 year old man is dead and his co-driver is seriously injured after a motor rally accident.

Police said the incident occurred on a forestry road at the Straight n Paint Rally at 12.30pm, and the man died at the scene.

The accident is being investigated by police and MotorSport NZ officials.

A Westpac Rescue helicopter was in attendance.

A police spokesperson told One News there had been two separate car accidents at the rally but could not confirm any details.

The three-day rally is aimed at novice drivers competing in their first rally event.

The last three attempts to hold the Straight 'n' Paint Rally Hanmer were stymied by nature.

The 2010 event was cancelled when the first major earthquake struck Christchurch while the two subsequent rallies were cancelled because of heavy snow.