1984 Portman and Runnalls do it again
(We have no photos of the victors, which normally go here. Can you help?)
Following the successful 1979 event, a swell of interest built
up to do it again five years later and so continue the revival of the unique
tradition of BP Rallies.
The interest of modern day competitors was piqued with 68
entries, many from original competitors, not looking for success, but just
wanting to relive and get reacquainted with the BP phenomenon. Entries came from Queensland, South
Australia, NSW and the ACT, and included six family entries.
February was selected as a time of year that should avoid
any prospect of wet weather and the same key organisers, Peter Haas and Bob
Watson were looking to dial down the difficulty a little this time.
Starting from Melbourne Zoo a short rally stage concluded at
Baringo near Mt Macedon.
Division 1 circled Pyalong on the way to Seymour. Three newer crews; Portman/Runnalls,
Bradtke/Harrison and Jones/Richards/Cox were clean followed closely by four
“original” crews.
Division 2 went via Gobur, the only section not cleaned for
the event, the Strathbogies, which have caused much BP pain in the past and the
Toombullups for the drivers on the way to Wangaratta. Wilson/Wunderlich were best on this Division
and took the outright lead.
Division 3 headed west across the plains of north central
Victoria, initially through the Killawarra forest then a nice average speed
section around Wilby, before not avoiding going to Naringaningalook on the way
to Rochester for breakfast. Best on this
division were Gale/Jeremiah/Blandford from Wall/Boyd/Maude. Portman/Runnalls were outright leaders.
Division 4 wound through the native pine forests at Sylvaterre
then along the Murray River to Swan Hill for the overnight stop and social
gathering. Portman/Runnalls lead on 43
from the old masters Kilfoyle/Osborne 63, then Grealy/Byron and Wall/Boyd/Maude
on 67.
Division 5 started with a trap at Goschen that caught a few
of the top crews, then headed south via Wychitella, Wedderburn, Tarnagulla and
Newstead to Myrniong. Portman/Runnalls won the final division to cement a
decisive victory on 53 to Wall 100 and Jones and Kilfoyle 127.
Only six crews of the 68 did not finish.
Documents:
Last Minute Instructions and Advices
Key Officials Running Schedules
Set up route charts and section maps
Event Reports:
None!
A few!
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