Home-grown favourite wins Miss Rally Oz 2006.

Western Australian Melissa Byrne of Bayswater WA is the new Miss Rally Australia 2006.

The 700-strong crowd at the national final held at The Shed in Northbridge cheered on the stunning brunette as she strutted her way into the national title and the grand prize of a round-the-world trip for two and $1000 spending money.

Melissa, whose striking looks are attributed to her Anglo Indian and Irish background, beat a very strong field of ten finalists chosen from nationwide heats.

The ten finalists worked as promotional models for the final Telstra Rally Australia, alongside the world's best drivers at Rally Show an autograph signing session, participating in nightly fashion parades at Gloucester Park and were the guests of honour in a ceremonial parade lap at the last Super Special Stage held in Perth.

It has been a busy couple of months for 25-year old Melissa who recently became engaged to her long-term boyfriend and is in the process of moving and renovating house. On top of working as a full-time sales representative, Melissa works as a promotions model at corporate events and functions.

"I'm still can't believe I won! When they announced my name I was just stunned, so surprised," Melissa said.

"Any of the ten finalists in Miss Rally Australia had a really good chance of winning. We've all become really good friends over the week and have all had the most incredible time working on Telstra Rally Australia. It's an awesome event."

Melissa wowed the crowd when she took to the stage in a sultry yellow dress, baseball pitcher outfit and a summery red and white bikini. She had the support of her fianc? and sister in the crowd, and says that having them there gave her extra confidence and desire to win.

"I think I'll use the prize to travel to Thailand for my honeymoon, and then maybe onto Europe," said Melissa.

The Miss Rally Australia runners-up were Renne Berry of Hillarys WA, Amanda Pernechelle of Darwin and Ashleigh Sudholz from Badgingarra WA.

This year's Telstra Rally Australia is the 19th and final year that Perth will host the Australian round of the FIA World Rally Championship.