Highlights
1961 was the first year in which a state championship was held. Known as the Victorian Trials Championship, the first winning driver was Geoff Russell in a both a Peugeot 403 and a VW 1200. Russell and navigator Wally Walsh won both the Experts Trial and the Alpine Trial. However, the first navigator title went to Martin Hartigan, principally navigating for Bob Foreman, together with whom he won the BP Rally.
Both the BP Rally and Alpine Trial were rounds of the VTC.
Major Events
The BP Rally of South Eastern Australia was conducted from 4-7 May, starting in Bendigo and finishing at the St Kilda foreshore. The winners were Bob Foreman and his two navigators, Martin and Bill Hartigan in a VW.
We are fortunate to have some audio records of the BP rallies from the late 50s and early 60s. Listen to interviews conducted at the event finish by Lox McGrath of radio 3AW by selecting the link on the right side of this page. Go to our Audio page for interviews from other years.
The 1961 Alpine Trial was won by Geoff Russell and Wally Walsh in a Peugeot 403.
