ROTHMANS INTERNATIONAL SOUTHERN CROSS RALLY
Sydney - Melbourne - Sydney OCTOBER 1966
The inaugural ‘Southern Cross’ Rally in 1966, directed by Bob Selby-Wood, brought classic international rallying to Australia. Attracting 69 starters, including European stars Hopkirk and Aaltonen, the 4000 kilometre event ran from Sydney to Melbourne and return. After taking the lead in the second night and setting a cracking pace, the Volkswagen of Barry Ferguson/Tony Denham hit a tree only 360 kilometres from home and victory went to Harry Firth/Graham Hoinville in a Ford Cortina GT. Placings went to Greg Garard/Frank Goulburn (Holden) and Ian Vaughan/Roger Vaughan (Cortina GT).
Results
1st: Ford Motor Co - Harry Firth/Graham Hoinville, Cortina GT2nd: Pat Cullen's Garage - Greg Garard/Frank Goulburn, Holden HR
3rd: Ford Motor Co - Ian Vaughan/Roger Vaughan, Cortina GT
4th: H.C.Dusting P/L - Reg Lunn/Geoff Thomas, Holden HR**
5th: Ford Motor Co. - Frank Kilfoyle/Bob Forsyth, Cortina GT
NOTE: Some results show Bob Watson/Jim McAuliffe as fourth but the podium photo confirms that Lunn/Thomas were fourth. Watson's own report suggests that they had engine problems near Wangaratta on the second night.
Class A: R. Gudgeon/A. Platt, Honda
Class B: Renault Australia - James Laing-Peach/P. Smith, Renault 10
Class C: Ford Motor Co - Ian Vaughan/Roger Vaughan, Cortina GT
Class D: S.A.Cheney P/L - Tony Roberts/Peter Haas, Holden HR
Class E: Morris 850 Assoc. - Charlie Ryder/Trevor French, Morris Cooper
Class F: B.M.C. (Aust.) P/L - Evan Green/John Keeffe, Morris Cooper S
Class G: Ford Motor Co. - Harry Firth/Graham Hoinville, Cortina GT
Class H: Pat Cullen's Garage - Greg Garard/Frank Goulburn, Holden HR
Manufacturers Award: Ford Motor Company
Ladies Award: Carol Shaw/Lynne Keeffe, Morris Mini
