The Ye Olde BP Rally No. 2 was directed by Peter Haas and Bob Watson and organised by the Light Car Club. It was held on 3 to 5 February.
Ross Runnalls summarises …
Following the successful 1979 event, a swell of interest built up to do it again five years later and so continue the revival of the unique tradition of BP Rallies.
The interest of modern day competitors was piqued with 68 entries, many from original competitors, not looking for success, but just wanting to relive and get reacquainted with the BP phenomenon. Entries came from Queensland, South Australia, NSW and the ACT, and included six family entries.
February was selected as a time of year that should avoid any prospect of wet weather and the same key organisers, Peter Haas and Bob Watson were looking to dial down the difficulty a little this time.
Starting from Melbourne Zoo a short rally stage concluded at Baringo near Mt Macedon.
Division 1 circled Pyalong on the way to Seymour. Three newer crews; Portman/Runnalls, Bradtke/Harrison and Jones/Richards/Cox were clean followed closely by four “original” crews.
Division 2 went via Gobur, the only section not cleaned for the event, the Strathbogies, which have caused much BP pain in the past and the Toombullups for the drivers on the way to Wangaratta. Wilson/Wunderlich were best on this Division and took the outright lead.
Division 3 headed west across the plains of north central Victoria, initially through the Killawarra forest then a nice average speed section around Wilby, before not avoiding going to Naringaningalook on the way to Rochester for breakfast. Best on this division were Gale/Jeremiah/Blandford from Wall/Boyd/Maude. Portman/Runnalls were outright leaders.
Division 4 wound through the native pine forests at Sylvaterre then along the Murray River to Swan Hill for the overnight stop and social gathering. Portman/Runnalls lead on 43 from the old masters Kilfoyle/Osborne 63, then Grealy/Byron and Wall/Boyd/Maude on 67.
Division 5 started with a trap at Goschen that caught a few of the top crews, then headed south via Wychitella, Wedderburn, Tarnagulla and Newstead to Myrniong. Portman/Runnalls won the final division to cement a decisive victory on 53 to Wall 100 and Jones and Kilfoyle 127.
Only six crews of the 68 did not finish.
