The Rally of Melbourne, organised by Glenn Cuthbert via Victorian Rally Services, was held on 21-22 September (although originally calendared on 7-8 September). This was Victoria’s round of the Australian Rally Championship for 2002.
The event was conducted in two heats, Heat 1 of 116.32km and Heat 2 of 83.58km. With the national title on the line and 50% bonus points on offer, it promised to be a close tussle between series leaders, Bourne and Stacey and their two challengers, team-mates Crocker and Foletta and the Lancer crew of Ordynski and Stewart. Simon and Sue Evans in a Subaru Impreza WRX won heat 1 but failed to complete Heat 2. Bourne took a safe second in Heat 1 ahead of Crocker with Ordynski only finishing sixth. Bourne and Stacey claimed the national title with a solid win on Heat 2 from their team-mates, Crocker and Foletta, who placed second in the championship. Sadly, it would be Possum Bourne’s last title as he was killed in an accident in New Zealand the following year.
