The Alpine Rally, organised by the Historic Rally Association and directed by Stuart Lister, was held on November 17.
Traditional Alpine returns
Apart from two navigational Alpine Trials in 1997 and 2000, the previous “real” Alpine Rally was in 1994. With the turn of the century, long-standing Alpine Director, Stuart Lister, was determined to resurrect the event as a special stage event for 2WD classic cars. The HRA were pleased to be the promoters. A return to the “spiritual home” of the Alpine in Bright was also proposed, but the lockout of the pine plantations by Hancocks presented some challenges.
Nevertheless. Lister produced a fitting Alpine revival, starting from Melbourne (Lilydale) and based around Bright, utilising hardwood forests in Murrindindi, the Strathbogies, Moyhu, Killawarra, Barrambogie, Mt Pilot and near to Bright. Lister introduced what was then a controversial measure to limit road damage – a ban on wheelspin off the start line, which has become standard practice in the Alpine and many other events.
The popularity of the event was evident with 84 starters, including many iconic cars and replicas. The final day of the event was threatened by rain and bleak weather but all stages ran for a total of almost 200 competitive kms. 53 cars completed all the stages.
Just over one minute covered the podium places with Mark Miller and Michael Cains victorious in their Escort ahead of Simon Evans (with James McIntosh) in the unlikely HQ Kingswood, with the 1997 state champion, Mike Reeves (with Paul Tirant) third in a Datsun 1600.
