Southern Cross Rallies

Find out about the history of the Southern Cross Rallies

Summary

The Southern Cross Rally was for more than a decade Australia’s pre-eminent international rally, attracting factory entries and big name drivers from overseas as well as Australia best drivers. The event ran every year in October from 1966 to 1980 inclusive, following a four night format. The competitive distance was generally about 2000 km. Only the first three editions came to Victoria. 

The first Southern Cross Rally in 1966 was won by Victorians Harry Firth and Graham Hoinville. Victorians George Fury and Monty Suffern won twice in 1978 and 1979, while Jeff Beaumont won as a co-driver in 1977 (with Rauno Aaltonen) and in 1980 (with Ross Dunkerton).

The full history of the Southern Cross Rally can be viewed here.

Harry Firth and Graham Hoinville (Cortina GT)

Southern Cross Rallies and winners

Click on the year to see the full details of that edition.

YearDirectorRouteWinning DriverWinning Co-driverCar
1966Bob Selby-WoodSydney-Wagga-Melbourne-Canberra-SydneyHarry FirthGraham HoinvilleFord Cortina GT
1967Bob Selby-WoodSydney-Canberra-Bairnsdale-Canberra-SydneyBarry FergusonDave JohnsonVolkswagen
1968Allan LawsonSydney-Canberra-Melbourne-Albury-SydneyJohn KeranPeter MyerVolvo 142S
1969Allan LawsonGold Coast-Lismore-Toowoomba-Gold CoastAndrew CowanDave JohnsonAustin 1800
1970Allan LawsonSydney-Port Macquarie-SydneyBarry FergusonDave JohnsonHolden Torana GTR
1971Allan LawsonSydney-Port MacquarieColin BondGeorge ShepheardHolden Torana XU-1
1972Dan WhiteSydney-Port MacquarieAndrew CowanJohn BrysonMitsubishi Galant
1973Dan WhiteSydney-Port MacquarieAndrew CowanJohn BrysonMitsubishi Lancer
1974Dan WhiteSydney-Port MacquarieAndrew CowanJohn BrysonMitsubishi Lancer
1975Dan WhiteSydney-Port MacquarieAndrew CowanFred GocentasMitsubishi Lancer
1976Dan WhiteSydney-Port MacquarieAndrew CowanFred GocentasMitsubishi Lancer
1977Dan WhiteSydney-Port MacquarieRauno AaltonenJeff BeaumontDatsun 710 SSS
1978Peter BerrimanSydney-Port MacquarieGeorge FuryMonty SuffernDatsun Stanza
1979Peter BerrimanSydney-Port MacquarieGeorge FuryMonty SuffernDatsun Stanza
1980Geoff SykesSydney-Port MacquarieRoss DunkertonJeff BeaumontDatsun Stanza