The Invitation Trial was held on November 2.
VCS Round 8 – 1974 HAC Invitation Trial
Jeff Beaumont’s story …
This joint HAC and VWCV event was well directed by Colin Turnbull who set a first class rally, with straight forward map reading on the Warragul 1:250k map. The rally started at Ben Guzzardi’s service station in Traralgon, with the mid event break at Mirboo North.
Brothers Bruce and John Tassell demonstrated their mastery of South Gippsland when they led home the field in their powerful four-valve engine Cortina (FVA). They actually duplicated their success in the Brass Monkey Rally, an earlier round of the Championship, run in a similar area of Gippsland.
Second placegetters and recent pairing were Ian Nalder and Paul Paterson , who have already gained a formidable reputation , with victory in the previous round.
The keen Cortina crew of Phil Nicholson and Don Williams were third, followed by series leaders Rob Dyer and Graham Wallace in their 404.
Initially the event headed out towards the TV towers, then through Madalya and up Turtons Track and Dingo Creek Road to a service break at Hoods. A loop followed, bringing crews to the break at Mirboo North.
The second Division ran into the Darlimurla Plantation for a series of stages. A tricky turn on Domney Road caused a little confusion, followed by a warning of a nasty quarry off Pines Road.
The final competitive section included a few hazards including fallen trees, water and long grass but didn’t really cause any major problems for the crews.
