The Geelong Motorsports Complex in Avalon will come to life with the sights and sounds of significant rally cars from the 1950s to the 1960s this Sunday, April 7.
In the first event of its type in Australia, owners of some of the most celebrated and valuable rally cars in the country will be invited to take their cars on a special 1km rally track. The public will experience the sights and sounds of these special cars doing what they were built for – going fast in the forests and outback tracks.
In a coup for organisers, the 3three Ford Falcon GTs prepared by Ford for the 1968 London to Sydney Marathon will come together for the first time since 1968.
One is coming up from Geelong, one from Albury and one from Alice Springs. The Falcons won the teams’ prize in the 1968 event, finishing 3rd, 5th and 8th.
A fourth Falcon GT from the event with a strong Geelong connection will also be there. It is the Lunwin Products car driven by Rex Lunn, Clive Tippet and John (Archie) Hall, all members of the Western District Car Club.
John Hall is still a resident in the Geelong area. Lunwin Products was a Geelong based supplier to Ford. The car itself resides in Queensland these days and is also making the trip to Geelong for the event (pictured below).
Nearly 50 retro rally cars will be there. From a 1951 Peugeot 203 (as ran in the 1953 Redex Round Australia Trial), to BMC works UK prepared Mini and Austin 1800, to a Nissan Japan works prepared Datsun Stanza.
From the World Rally Championship there will be a Lancia Fulvia, a Renault Alpine, two Fiat 131 Abarths, and an Audi Quattro.
Rally fans familiar with the Australian Rally Championship cars in the 70s and 80s will recognise the Ford Escort of Greg Carr, the Datsuns of George Fury and Ross Dunkerton, and the Mitsubishi Starion of David ‘Dinta’ Officer.
The venue opens to the public at 10:00 am and the cars take to the dirt rally track from around 11:00 am. Entry is $10 per car and the first 200 cars receive a Rally Retro Showbag.
Visitors will be able to view the action from three viewing mounds, as well as mingle with the cars and drivers in the display area.
The Geelong Motorsports Complex is on Beach Road Avalon, just near the freeway exit.
Food vendors will be on site.
Full details can be found at website: www.rallyretroday.org.au
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