The George Derrick Rally was held on 12 November. Jeff Beaumont tells the story:
VRC Round 6 – 1977 CCRMIT George Derrick Memorial Rally
The final round of this year’s Victorian Championship was the “Derrick“, run by the CCRMIT and directed by Graham Horsefield and Ross Turner. The event was based at St Arnaud, with a central control at the Rifle Range.
Thirty entrants headed off on route charted sections through the forests, with the new champions Gil Davis and David Long leading from Peter Janson and Paul Paterson, Portman / Runnalls, and Warwick Smith / Geoff Boyd.
Towards the end of the first Division, Portman / Runnalls had opened up a lead, from Chris Power / Mick Brasier whose Datsun broke its gearbox on the very next section.
Division Two was fully route charted in the forests south of St Arnaud. Dust became a serious problem, with several cars leaving the road. The diff in Ian “Pixs“ Smith’s Datsun broke and he became the last retirement for the night.
Geoff Portman and Ross Runnalls continued their fine run on to the finish just before daylight.
