The Akademos was held on 31 May.
VTC Round 1 – 1969 MUCC Akademos
Jeff Beaumont tells the story…
The Akademos was organised as usual, by the Melbourne University Car Club and was well directed by Bob McInnes. Due to heavy rain and fog throughout the event, as well as thick snow on the last stage, the rally took a heavy toll on the 65 entrants.
The event started at Bullengarook, then moved through the sodden Black Forest and on towards Daylesford.
At Kyneton the rally was led by Bob Watson and Jim McAuliffe on 11 points lost, from David Forster / Jeff Beaumont in their new HR Holden S2 on 14.
The next long stage was in the Heathcote and Whroo forests where navigators were busy checking maps and compasses whilst drivers battled with the very slippery tracks.
The break at Seymour saw Tony Theiler and Bob Watson equal on 22, from Peter Janson on 28 points lost.
The final stage took crews from Seymour to Caveat, then on through the Murrindindi Forest area where many competitors became bogged.
Forster / Beaumont spun their HR Holden into a bank, ending a fine run in the big, ex factory Holden HR S2.
Peter Janson had the R8 Gordini really flying, putting up fastest times through the twisty pine forest roads.
Janson was then two minutes quicker than the rest down Marginal Road in the newly fallen snow. Several cars belonging to tourists, were abandoned in the snow, adding to the hazard.
It was certainly a successful result for Renault who dominated the scoreboard.
