The Old BP Rally was directed by Peter Haas, Mike Osborne and Bob Watson and organised by the Light Car Club. It was held on November 10 – 12.
Ross Runnalls summarises …
Wallis, Nicholas, Krauth in Peugeot take out tight John Pryce Memorial
Haas and Watson with the addition of ex BP director Mike Osborne took up the five year baton again to organise the John Pryce Memorial Old BP Rally. John Pryce died in 1984 and was best remembered as co-director of ten BPs with Donald Thomson, while head of motorsport at BP Australia.
November was selected as the most comfortable time of year for the event. The route ranged a little further than the two previous Old BPs into the Mallee and Wimmera taking in some previous famed BP control locations.
55 entries started, with 40 in older cars of the BP era.
From the start on Friday evening at BP Somerton in the north of metropolitan Melbourne a short rally stage followed to Bacchus Marsh.
Division 1 traversed Elaine, Berringa, Pittong and Lake Goldsmith on the way to Ararat. Nalder/Nalder/Brown led there on 14 to Spence/Kelly 15 and Devenish/Wylie 19. The fancied Phillips/Runnalls/Edmonds fell by the wayside early with a 30 point loss at Mortchup.
Division 2 went via Rhymney Reef, Deep Lead and Lubeck to Horsham. Wallis/Nicholas/Krauth joined Nalder/Brown in the lead on 50, and Officer/McKenzie joined Spence/Kelly next on 66, who retired here with gearbox issues in the factory Corolla.
Watson took over from Haas as the mind behind the next two divisions. Division 3 headed north then east via Wail, Lorquon, Pella and Rainbow to Sea Lake for breakfast. Officer/McKenzie moved into the lead on 75 from Wallis/Nicholas and Devenish/Wylie on 79.
Division 4 in daylight was found less stressful taking in Lalbert, Bald Rock, where the legend Harry Firth did a control, and Terrick East on the way to the overnight stop at Echuca. Phillips/Runnalls popped up in the lead on 91, narrowly to Officer/McKenzie on 93 and Wallis/Nicholas 97.
The social gathering saw a good scattering of ex BP competitors and winners and remaining original director Graham Hoinville. A torrential downpour gave something for everyone to try and sleep on, but Sunday dawned sunny for Mike Osborne’s final run to Lancefield via Tongala, Bagshot, Heathcote and Tooborac. As often happens the leaders succumbed to the pressure, so that Wallis/Nicholas/Krauth emerged as victors on 108 from Phillips/Runnalls 121 and Officer/McKenzie 125.
The event concluded on George Reynolds property at Lancefield. 14 crews of the 55 starters, failed to finish.
