1969 Victorian Trials Championship

The 1969 VTC was thrown open with the withdrawal of the highly successful Holden dealers’ rally team.  Roger Bonhomme gives a preview of the year in this Racing Car News article.

The year was dominated by Bob Watson and Jim McAuliffe in a Renault 16TS, with the only serious challenge coming from Tony Roberts and Mike Osborne in an ex-Marathon Porsche 911. Colin Bond won one heat in a Monaro with a three man crew, in preparation for the Ampol Trial the following year.

To see what else happened during 1969 in Victorian rallying, go to the 1969 year page.

To see other years of the Victorian Rally Championship, go to the VRC page.

Bob Watson and Jim McAuliffe in their Renault 16TS on the 1969 BP Rally

Series Regulations

There were no specific restrictions on the kinds of events that could be rounds of the VTC. All events were timed to the minute, but there were virtually no tied placings. Most events had a significant degree of navigation.

Only the outright award was given. Points were allocated 9-6-4-3-2-1 for first to sixth with the best five of seven results to count.

Events

VTC events this year were the:

  1. Akademos
  2. Experts
  3. Blue Ribbon
  4. George Derrick Memorial Trial
  5. Two Day
  6. North Eastern
  7. Cooper Memorial

Pointscores

Best five results count, total shown in brackets where different.

Drivers Pointscores

PlaceDriverR1R2R3R4R5R6R7Total
1Bob Watson66996336 (39)
2Tony Roberts9319224
3Graham Alexander66921
4=Peter Janson91616
4=Mal McPherson3324416
6Colin Wilson242210
7Colin Bond99

Navigators Pointscores

PlaceNavigatorR1R2R3R4R5R6R7Total
1Jim McAuliffe66996336 (39)
2Mike Osborne939223
3Peter Haas66921
4=Neville Price91616
4=Robin Sharpley3224416
6Roger Bonhomme23914
7Tony Wunderlich2422212
8Geoff Sproat437