The Old BP Rally of South Eastern Australia was organised by the Historic Rally Association and directed by Ross Runnalls, with the assistance of Geoff Boyd and Ian Ellis. It was conducted on May 9-12.
Ross Runnalls summarises the event …
Upton/Laidlay take out another tough one, maybe the last
This was intended for 2012, but the HRA Readyplan Re-Run took precedence, so with sponsorship from BP not forthcoming this time, it reverted to being the Old BP Rally of South Eastern Australia, still on the traditional Mother’s day weekend, starting on Thursday 9 May 2013 from the RACV Healesville Country Club. Changes to the format included, in recognition of the advancing years of participants, and the need to better address fatigue management, the limiting of Divisions to six hours, and adding an extra ten hour sleep break. Entry fee discounts were offered to crews with members under the age of 35 (six in total) and to first time competitors (nine in total including three from the Classic Rally Club in NSW). There was also interest in “The e-Bay challenge for cars purchased for less than $1000. Greater use was made of radar to remind crews that this was an open road event.
Division 1
With no Assembly Stage this time, it was pretty much straight into the mountains after a short transport to Toolangi, then via St Fillans, Stockman’s Reward, Jamieson, Mansfield (refuel), Tolmie, and Kelfeera to a bed and breakfast break at Benalla. Five crews were separated by three minutes at the head of the field, with Rawson/Smith (previous winners with other partners) 16, Officer/Officer and Ashton/Nixon 17.
Division 2
A daylight run west through Upotipotpon, Toolamba, Rushworth, Simmie, Echuca (refuel), Patho, Gunbower Forest led to Kerang for a dinner break. The leaders swapped around with Officers 50, Rawson/Smith 54 then Burn/Dunbar 55.
Division 3
Under the cover of dark, it was into the Mallee via Lake Boga, Waitchie, Lake Wahpool, Chinkapook, Leitpa, Ouyen (refuel), Kiamal, Trinita, Nowingi, and Thurla into Mildura for another bed and breakfast break. Officers extended their lead on 55, to Rawson/Smith, Burn/Dunbar and Upton/Laidlay all on 80.
Division 4
Saturday morning and quickly into the scrub down to Benetook, Pirlta, Merrinee on the edge of the Sunset Country, Birthday Tank, Mt Crozier Track, Underbool, Patchewollock (refuel), Wathe, Burroin, Albacutya, Pella, Lake Hindmarsh, to Jeparit for a dinner break. Officers were best on Divisions 2,3 and 4 to have a nice lead on 68, to Rawson/Smith 104 and Upton/Laidlay 120.
Division 5
The final night run took in Murtoa, Marma, Glenorchy, Stawell (refuel), Mt Cole, Raglan and Waterloo to the now traditional Ballarat finish. It took its toll too with substantial points losses. Upton/Laidlay reversed their 2010 final night and snatched victory losing 149 to Rawson/Smith 249 and Officer/Officer 263. 20 of the 43 starters failed to finish.
The weekend was again rounded off with Sunday Lunch at Dowling Forest Racecourse, with a horse race meeting thrown in for additional entertainment.
