The Ballarat Begonia Rally, organised by the Ballarat Light Car Club an directed by Tim Collins, was held on February 20.
Round 1 Victorian Rally Championship
Round 1 Australian Rally Championship (coefficient 5)
Although this was the first round of the new ARC format, it did not attract any interstate entrants. The event was won by Neil Cuthbert and Darryl Adams in a Subaru Liberty RS.