Victoria 1958

Re-live the action from 1958

Year in review

Highlights

Many well established annual trials and rallies continued to be conducted by the many active car clubs.

The first BP Rally, known as the “BP All Victoria Rally”, was held from March 13 to 16. The brainchild of Don Thomson, ably assisted by John Pryce, this was the start of sixteen consecutive years of the running of the BP Rally. This first edition was won by a novice crew of three 21 year old lads from Deniliquin: Bernie Taylor, Tom Smith and Ian McDonald in a Volkswagen losing only 2 points.

Again, the last of the two “competing” Round Australia trials both visited Melbourne.

The 1958 Ampol Trial was held from May 18th to June 1st, starting and finishing in Sydney. Organised by the Australian Sporting Car Club with key personnel including Evan Green and Dave Bartlett, this was the first Ampol Trial to be auspiced by CAMS. The 7000 mile route passed through Melbourne with considerable competition in Victoria. The event was won by Jim Roberts and Don Garard in an FE Holden.

The 1958 Mobilgas Trial was true round Australia event, starting in Sydney but finishing in Melbourne. It was conducted from August 20th to September 7th and was won by Victorians Eddie Perkins and Arthur Smith in a VW.

Lou Molina at the finish of the 1958 BP

We have limited information on events in 1958 – if you have any information please let us know! 

Open Events

The Western District Car Club conducted their annual Otway Trial on July 19-20.

The Light Car Club conducted their annual Experts Trial, which was won for a second time by Harry Firth and Graham Hoinville in a VW. Apparently they were the only crew to reach the finish!

The North Eastern Car Club conducted their annual North Eastern Trial which was won by Pat O’Sullivan and Ted Aisbett in a VW.

The Alpine Rally, organised by the Light Car Club, was won by Harry Firth and Graham Hoinville, their fourth Alpine victory, this time in a VW.

Closed Events

The Melbourne University Car Club conducted a number of club events during the year. The Commencement Trial was organised by Brian Fleming and Tim Kendall and was won by Brine in a VW.  The Twilight Trial was held on May 18, finishing with a party at Mt Eliza. The Jinx Mountain Trial was held on July 13 and won by J. Tandy. A report appeared in August Unicar. Friday August 1st saw the running of the August Fools Night Trial. Won by Brian Fleming, the event was also reported in August Unicar. The Farago Trial was held on September 14, directed by Stephen Coffey. Won by G. Putnam in a VW, the event was reported in October Unicar.
 
CCRMIT, then the Car Club of the Royal Melbourne Technical College, ran four trials: the Novice Trial, the Hardie Trial, the NE Hill Country Trial and the Presidents Trial. The Novice Trial was directed by Tom Davie but the results are not known. The Hardie Trial was directed by Robin Petty and won by Rex Lewis. The NE Hill Country Trial and the Presidents Trial were both directed by Neil Forss, although results are not known.

The Rally Calendar for this year

We do not yet have a calendar of events from this year.