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.
