1976 North Central Trial

The North Central Trial was held on September 4.

It was round 5 of the VCS, organised by the Castlemaine Car Club and won by Bob Phillips and Ross Runnalls.

After a break of several months, the 1976 Clubman Series resumed with the North Central Trial.

The event was run in clear conditions, and featured three daylight stages in Moonlight Flat Plantation just outside of Castlemaine before the usual night stages. Some challenging goldfields roads and navigation were on offer on the night stages around Maryborough, Bendigo and Maldon.

Driving their Datsun 1600 to victory by a single point, Bob Phillips and Ross Runnalls took a commanding lead in the 1976 VCS. When the final round was cancelled, their series win was assured with only the Mideastern Rally to run.

Close behind were Chris and Simon Brown, also in a Datsun 1600, from Peter Corkran and Jim Maude in the Toyota Corolla just two points in arrears.

Bob Phillips & Ross Runnalls - 1st O/R
Bob Phillips & Ross Runnalls - 1st O/R
Chris & Simon Brown - 2nd O/R
Chris & Simon Brown - 2nd O/R
Peter Corkran & Jim Maude - 3rd O/R
Peter Corkran & Jim Maude - 3rd O/R

Results and entry list

PlaceDriverNavigatorCarPoints
1Bob PhillipsRoss RunnallsDatsun 1600
2Chris BrownSimon BrownDatsun 1600
3Peter CorkranJim MaudeCorolla
4Colin DeanGerry JustusDatsun 1600
5John WhiteWayne BeaumontCortina
6Rob WillettJack WatsonRenault 12

Media

Auto Action Report

John Wilkinson’s Photos of the Event

John was actually a competitor in this event but sadly rolled out in the third daylight stage in the Moonlight Flat pine plantation. He then went out into the night division to snap some photos!