ROTHMANS INTERNATIONAL SOUTHERN CROSS RALLY
Sydney - Canberra - Melbourne - Albury - Sydney, 9-13 OCTOBER 1968
1968 saw a change of rally director with Allan Lawson taking over. This also meant a change of luck for John Keran and Peter Myer in the Volvo 142S who set an unbeatable pace as the rally once again traversed the route from Sydney to Melbourne and back to Sydney. Paddy Hopkirk was back for his third try in as many years, but a wet clutch after a deep river crossing on the first night ended his challenge. New features providing plenty of action and excitement for the rally’s 76 starters and included special stages on circuits at Amaroo Park near Sydney and Hume Weir (Albury) and loops in the wild mountainous country around Tumbarumba and Tumut in the New South Wales Southern Alps. Second place went to Frank Kilfoyle/Doug Rutherford for the second time (Cortina GT) and third was up and coming Colin Bond with Brian Hope, again in the Colt Fastback.
1st: Swedish Motors P/L - John Keran/Peter Meyer, Volvo 142S
2nd: Ford Motor Co. - Frank Kilfoyle/Doug Rutherford, Cortina GT
3rd: Griffon Motors P/L - Colin Bond/Brian Hope, Colt Fastback
4th: Bill Patterson Motors - Tony Roberts/Mike Osborne, Holden HK
5th: Ford Motor Co. - Bruce Hodgson/Bob Forsyth — Cortina GT
Class A: Jack Mullins/Terry Mason, Daihatsu GT
Class B: John Taylor/Graham West, Mini Cooper S
Class C: Bruce Wilkinson/Ian Inglis, Datsun 1600
Class D: Peter Houghton/Mick Nielsen, Peugeot 404
Class E: Clyde Hodgins/Peter Brown, Holden Monaro
Class F: Tony Roberts/Mike Osborne, Holden HK
Class G: Colin Bond/Brian Hope, Colt Fastback
Class H: Frank Kilfoyle/Doug Rutherford, Cortina GT
Class I: John Keran/Peter Meyer, Volvo 142S
Class J: Harry Firth/Graham Hoinville, Lotus Cortina s/c
Manufacturers Award: Holden Dealer Team
Ladies Award: Lynne Keeffe/Sandra Vine
Original results are available here.
