The Experts Trial was held on (date TBA).
1970 VTC Round 3 – LCCA Experts Trial
Twenty nine cars faced the shivering starter at Ballan as snow began to fall. They would set off on a challenging mission through the north west of the State, in a typical rugged Experts Trial set by Director Mike Osborne.
The two Renaults would dominate from the Hunter GT of David Cuthbert and Andy Chapman. Young rising stars Jon Wardell and John Hocking continued their fine performances of late, as did Bob McInnes / Bob Forsyth in the Cooper S.
Drama started early on a muddy uphill track near Bolwarrah, when Graham Alexander slid off and damaged his lights. Just a few minutes later Colin Wilson in his privately entered Gordini firmly impaled his front suspension on a huge log with the rally car blocking the road. Only the two front runners, missing the drama, made the control on time. Then Peter Robertson’s Escort retired when the flywheel dislodged from the crankshaft.
The rally continued up to Faraday and Mt Alexander Hill Climb where a tricky exit at the top caused a bit of confusion. Barrie Edmonds and Rod Goode ( Datsun 1600 ) and Henderson / Ford ( Torana ) both dropped only one point to score fastest.
At the Bendigo break, Watson was leading from the Cooper S of Bob McInnes who was continuing his strong, consistent form this season.
The remaining 14 controls used the popular mazes in the old goldfields and pastoral roads west of Bendigo.
Then the rally headed south towards the mud-bound Grampians, where typical Experts challenges persisted.
Hard working navigators were unable to rest with many tricky via points whilst drivers worked hard to keep their cars on the road.
After a misleading route chart east of Waterloo, the weary crews headed back through the snow to the finish at Ballarat.
A report appeared in August Unicar.
