Held over one day and a round of the Townsville Twin Cities Club Championship, the event comprised just two stages, of 13.06km and 19.91km in length, run three times during the day and once again in reverse at night.
Blistering heat during the day resulted in many crews retiring with overheating related issues. Long grass on the second stage quickly blocked a number of radiators, causing a scramble for water at a nearby creek crossing at the end of the stage.
Running car 2 on the road, the powerful Mazda RX7 of Hoy was the first victim to suffer a sudden spike on the temperature gauge as the nimble but low profile Mazda became a virtual lawnmower for 8 kilometres, and grass quickly filled the inclined radiator.
Thinking the event was prematurely over for them yet again, the crew worked frantically to clear the trapped debris from the front of the car and pumped about 20 litres of water into the Rotary. Luck was on their side and the undamaged engine remained strong for the rest of the event.
Whilst relatively modest in numbers, the field had some very competent peddlers, including 5 times Australian Champion Ross Dunkerton in his BDA Escort, co-driven by long time partner Alan Stean. They too suffered overheating problems, which forced the duo to nurse the car along for the remainder of the event at a less punishing pace. In the end they had to settle for third place outright.
Experienced brothers David and Pete Kayess in their Toyota Sprinter retired mid-event with a broken diff, and consistent driving saw the pairing of Mullin and Ford in a Nissan Skyline take second place for the day.
Final Results:
1. Wayne Hoy/Lisa Dunkerton, Mazda RX7
2. Nathan Mullin/Ford, Nissan Skyline
3. Ross Dunkerton/Alan Stean, Ford Escort 1800
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