The Classic Rally was held on March 30.
VCS Round 3 – 1974 GMHMC Classic Rally
The third round of the Clubman series, the annual GMHMC Classic Rally of Gippsland was well directed by Gary Hawkins and ran in the traditional area south of Morwell and Traralgon.
New blood was added to the points score table when Terry Moran and Colin Turnbull drove their Escort to a fine win in this round of the championship. Alf Pearce / Robin Baass finished in second place, from series leaders Mike Baxter and Tom Cox in their Cortina.
From the start at Traralgon crews headed south to Calder Junction which was the centre of several loops. Peter Otzen / Darryl Bennie and Pearce / Baass were quickest on the first loops, with Colin Wood / Peter McKinnon and Terry Moran / Colin Turnbull heading the field after the following series of loops.
The blast along Traralgon Creek Road saw the demise of Phil Nicholson / Robert Waters when their engine cried enough.
Rob Lobban / Don Ellis were quickest on the first section after the service break, with the field heading back to Calder Junction.
Fresh roadworks around Yinnar South slowed the field, where Jean Reid / D.Coles failed to get a signature at a manned via point.
Ian Swan / Peter Cullis were running strongly with a couple of fastest times on the run down towards Morwell River Road. Bruce and John Tassell were also performing strongly.
Ken Stone / Mike Rebbechi were in trouble when the accelerator cable broke, then they lost further time with a navigational glitch.
A loop west of the Prison Farm, along Hatchery Road saw Moran’s Escort quickest, with several route charted sections on fast, smooth roads towards the event finish.
