1956

Re-live the action from 1956

Year in review

Highlights

We have limited information on events in 1956 – if you have any information please let us know!

Below we have presented some events for which we have information. No doubt there were many more events than are listed here. 

Major Events

The Ampol Trial was held from July 15-29, based out of Sydney and run as an unauthorised event in the eyes of CAMS. The event was a “half” round Australia, the early part passing through Victoria from east to west with a stopover in Melbourne. The trial was won by Wilf Murrell and Allen Taylor in a Peugeot 403.

The “rival” Mobilgas Rally was held from August 4 to 19, also based out of Sydney, and was a full “anti-clockwise” round Australia, passing through Victoria with a Melbourne stopover towards the end of the event. The event was won by Victorians Eddie and Lance Perkins in a VW.

1956 Mobilgas Trial winners, Eddie and Lance Perkins

Open Events

We have very few records of the open events conducted in 1956.

The Light Car Club conducted their annual Experts Trial, which was won by Harry Firth and Graham Hoinville in a VW.

The Western District Car Club conducted their annual two day Otway Trial in August which was won by R. Mills in a Zephyr. An article appeared in Australian Motor Sport.

The North Eastern Car Club conducted their annual North Eastern Trial which was won for the second year in a row by Ron Phillips and Jack Cox, this time in a Ford Prefect.

There was no Alpine in 1956 because of the involvement of the Light Car Club in the Melbourne Olympics.

Closed Events

Several clubs were active running trials and rallies.
 
The Melbourne University Car Club, at the time just the University Car Club, conducted a number of events, including the Peninsula Trial which was organised in conjunction with the Austin 7 Club. A brief report is given in the June club newsletter.
 
CCRMIT, then the Car Club of the Royal Melbourne Technical College, ran six trials: their second annual Autumn Midnight Trial, directed by Brian Price and won by Tim Kendall in a VW, the 130 Mile Trial, directed by Ian Longmuir and won by Peter Coffey, Neil Forss and Geoff Sheils in a Ford Anglia, Cords Ring, directed by Colin Lewis and Ian Furzer and also won by Peter Coffey, Neil Forss and Geoff Sheils in a Ford Anglia, the Night Trial, directed by Richard Collingwood and won by John Leigh and Michael Kennedy in an Austin, the Peninsula Trial, directed by Doug Andrews, winners unknown, and the Novice Trial, directed by Hallam Occleshaw and won by June Oaks and Keith Lawrence in a Hillman.

The Rally Calendar for this year

We do not yet have a calendar of events from this year.