The Peugeot Car Club’s Rookies Ramble was instituted to cater for novices and newcomers to the sport. Our first records of it were in 1972.
George Woods competed for many years in all facets of motor sport. At the same time, he encouraged others, especially novices, ladies, youngsters and the like to have a go, too. George always used a very standard Peugeot for his motor sport. George’s Peugeot 403 (and later his 404) went in everything, whether it was a motorkhana, a trial (anything from club event to national championship rally), an open race meeting (in the early ’70s, you could see George’s 403 fighting Peter Brock for a corner—George proudly wore a tee-shirt emblazoned with the words ‘Ecurie Mobile Chicane’ accompanied by a picture of him and Brockie disputing the same bit of bitumen), a circuit sprint, a hillclimb or an observed section trial. He was an important part of CAMS, being Chairman of the Victorian State Council for several years in the late ’70s; he was awarded CAMS’ (Now Motorsport Australia) Service Award in 1979. George lived life to the full. As well as motor sport he was passionate about music, particularly jazz. An accomplished musician, he played his guitar at many a function, motor sport or otherwise, either solo or with his group.
George succumbed to a heart attack in 1979. In honour of the man and his enthusiasm for motor sport our event is called the GEORGE WOODS RALLY. It has run almost every year except when weather or other circumstances prevented its conduct. It is the longest running introductory event on the calendar and the majority of editions have been directed by Glad Fish – a remarkable contribution towards encouraging new participants in rallying.
The George Woods Rally has always been designed to give an opportunity for club members to try rallying using either their road car or the car they use in other types of motorsport.
It was originally organised via the Peugeot Car Club of Victoria but more recently by the Ford Four Car Club (2015-16) and the Historic Rally Association (since 2018). The HRA also introduced a category/class for Standard Cars. The Resto Country Spares Standard Car Class uses the George Woods Rally and similar events. Many of these cars are showroom standard, using standard seats and seatbelts, and without a roll cage.
