1972

1972      BP goes deep into NSW, but Vic Peugeot prevails

After many years trying, and a disappointing last year, Bob Watson broke through for a win with twice previous winner Geoff Thomas as navigator, in a rear wheel drive Peugeot 504.

After a four year absence the BP returned to NSW, heading as far north as Forbes, under the guidance of new director, and previous winner, Mike Osborne. His assistants were Kilfoyle, Ian Home, Wal Harris and Pryce. Only three Broadbent’s maps, but 11 survey maps plus one NSW Forestry map were required.

Four crews started from Brisbane and from Hobart, in addition to the traditional Goulburn, Adelaide and Melbourne Assembly start points, and once off the ferry the Tasmanians went straight to Chadstone to join the Victorian starters.

The format was similar to last couple of years with one overnight stop and one day stop, but at 1848 miles would be the longest Trial Stage yet.

The Assembly Stage finished at Echuca early Thursday morning 11 May, and after a 12 hour break, the Trial Stage commenced at 3.30 am on eight divisions ending at the following towns: Shepparton (depart 9.45 am), Corryong (depart 4 pm), Wagga Wagga for overnight break (depart 8.30 am Friday), Griffith (depart 3 pm), Forbes (depart 11.20 pm), Albury for nine hour daytime break (depart 6 pm), Wangaratta (depart 1.15 am Sunday), Bendigo (depart 10 am), Camberwell, convoy to Chadstone at 2.30 pm.

Colin Bond with new navigator, Chris Jessup from Victoria, won the first two divisions to be down only two points at Corryong, followed by Davis/Haas 7 and Watson/Thomas and Barwick/Red 11. The slippery forests around Batlow took their toll particularly for Bond who got stuck and WD'ed Laurel Hill.

At the Wagga sleep break Watson/Thomas moved into the lead followed by teammates McPherson/Beaumont, positions they held to the finish. Gigney/Kelly and Wilson/Mitchell starred at times, but Bond/Jessup worked their way back up to third at the end.

The teams prize (no Manufacturers award any more) was taken out by the trio of Torana XU1s; Bond/Jessup, McLeod/Lock and Philip/Bonhomme.

43 crews started and 30 finished.

Documents

General Supplementary Regulations

Additional Supplementary Regulations

Final Instructions on acceptance of entry

Notes to navigators

Entry List

Refuel Points

Rally Schedule

Movement Orders

Service Instructions

Assembly Stage and Trial Stage Route Instructions

Route map (These files are large and may be slow to download) The route in NSW not on Broadbent's Eastern Half is not shown. Road card

Provisional Results

Comprehensive Results section by section

No Director’s summary report

Media reports:

Racing Car News July 1972

Australian Auto Action May 26, 1972

Motor Manual July 1972

BP Accelerator August 1972

Multimedia

Photos

Video: Darryl Reid Video, first 1:10 being 1972

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