Written and produced by long-time competitor, and 1970 Australian Rally Champion Bob Watson, the 254 page hard-cover book chronicles the story of the Alpine Rally from 1921 until 2021.

Starting in the 1920s when the event was more a tour than a full-on rally as we know it today, the rally was originally supported by the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria.

It wasn’t long before the winner’s list became a who’s who of rallying: Harry Firth, Frank Kilfoyle, Doug Stewart, Greg Carr, Geoff Portman, Dinta Officer, Ian Hill, George Fury, Murray Coote. The list goes on and on.

Events in each decade are well covered with a brilliant catalogue of period black and white photos, and later, with colour images that go up to more recent times.

Many of rallying’s great names are attributed with stories in the book with their own thoughts and memories of the Alpine Rally, including Bruce Keys, Greg Carr, Geoff Portman, Harry Firth, and importantly, long-time director Stuart Lister.

Lister directed an incredible 12 Alpines, in two stints: firstly in the 1970s and 1980s, and then from 2003 until 2011.

The book includes original Alpine Rally documentation, results, and a full list of rally stats that include the rally winners and the directors.

Clearly 100 years in the making, ‘The Great Alpine Contest’ is a fantastic read, whether you want to read it from cover to cover in one go, or pick and choose whenever it takes your fancy.

It’s available now for just $40 from RallySport Magazine. CLICK HERE to order your copy.