1971 Southern Safari Rally

The Southern Safari Rally was held on 24-25 July. It was the fourth round of the Tasmanian Trials Championship.

Twenty seven crews started the Safari from the Shell Fleetway Service Station in Glenorchy at 7:00pm and eleven cars were in immediate trouble by losing time on the first transport section!

A fast, tricky return to control along A.N.M. roads followed with only 3 crews finding the route check from the correct direction, and nine crews were caught by another route check at National Park.

Maddock/Kelly were in the lead at this stage on 9 points from “B Graders” Fisher/Buchanan and Pooley/Tyson. The remainder of the division proceeded via Ellendale, Hamilton, a rough, boggy “A” Grade section at Hollow Tree (where several crews were bogged), Tea Tree and Brighton. Maddock/Kelly maintained their lead at the divisional break on 36 points from Long/Reid and Dorney/Scanlon.

The second division was fairly fast but not as hard navigationally, and headed south of Hobart through Huonville and Geeveston to a control on Hermans Road. This was followed by several fast sections using windy, greasy forestry roads around Strathblane and Wallaby Flats before returning to Hobart and on to the division end at Sorell. Maddock/Kelly were still leading the way on 66 points from Dorney/Scanlon and Pooley/Tyson.

Many tired cars started out on the third and final division which kept the pressure on all crews. Murdunna, Bream Creek, Forcett, Richmond, Acton Road, and Orielton all contained traps for the unwary amongst the 18 remaining competitors.