SOUTHERN CROSS INTERNATIONAL RALLY
Surfers Paradise - Lismore - Toowoomba - Surfers Paradise, 8-12 OCTOBER 1969
This year the Southern Cross moved north to be centred around Surfers Paradise in Queensland, with the first half running down into northern New South Wales towns of Grafton, Kyogle and Tenterfield before moving back into Queensland. Andrew Cowan, winner of the 1968 London-Sydney Marathon, and navigated by Dave Johnson set a scorching pace in the Austin 1800. Frank Kilfoyle/Doug Rutherford were the only ones to provide Cowan with real opposition and finished second for the third successive year! Harry Firth was a non-starter following his retirement from driving and at that stage little did people realise what part he would play in Australian motor sport in the future. Previous winner Keran received a set back when he miscued on a bridge in the dust, and the much fancied Colin Bond had to fight hard to capture third place after early brake failure and engine overheating.
1st: B.L.M.C. - Andrew Cowan/Dave Johnson, Austin 1800, 63
2nd: Ford Motor Co. - Frank Kilfoyle/Doug Rutherford, Ford Cortina GT, 66
3rd: Mitsubishi Aust. - Colin Bond/Brian Hope, Mitsubishi Colt 1500SS, 118
4th: Holden Dealer Team - Barry Ferguson/Roger Bonhomme, Holden Monaro GTS, 120
5th: Waltons Rally Team - Bruce Collier/Lindsay Adcock, Renault Gordini, 159
6th: Swedish Motors - John Keran/Peter Meyer, Volvo 142R, 165
7th: Mitsubishi Aust. - Doug Stewart/Nigel Collier, Mitsubishi Colt 1100SS, 193
8th: Mitsubishi Aust. - Barry Lloyd/A. Browne, Mitsubishi Colt 1100SS, 198
9th: Marshall's Motors - David McKay/John Bryson, Mercedes 280SE, 208
10th: Gary Mecak/R. Kelly, Ford Cortina GT, 230
Class A: J. Mullins/P. Brown, Daihatsu GT
Class B: Hank Kabel/B. Dancer, Toyota Corolla Sprinter S2
Class C: Gary Mecak/R, Kelly, Ford Cortina GT
Class D: O. Jackson/J. Jackson/A. Jackson, Volvo
Class E: David McKay/John Bryson, Mercedes 280SE
Class F: L. Williams/R. Lumby/G. Mewburn, Holden HK
Class G: Bruce Wilkinson/Ian Ingliss, Datsun 1000
Class H: Bruce Collier/Lindsay Adcock, Renault Gordini
Class I: Frank Kilfoyle/Doug Rutherford, Ford Cortina GT
Class J: Andrew Cowan/Dave Johnson, Austin 1800
Class L: Barry Ferguson/Roger Bonhomme, Holden Monaro GTS
Manufacturers Award: Mitsubishi Colt
Ladies Award: Lynne Keeffe/C. Waldron, Hillman Hunter GT
