1989 Wallis, Nicholas, Krauth in Peugeot take out tight John Pryce Memorial.
Haas and Watson with the addition of ex BP director Mike
Osborne took up the five year baton again to organise the John Pryce Memorial
Old BP Rally. John Pryce died in 1984 and was best remembered as co-director of
ten BPs with Donald Thomson, while head of motorsport at BP Australia.
November was selected as the most comfortable time of year
for the event. The route ranged a little
further than the two previous Old BPs into the Mallee and Wimmera taking in
some previous famed BP control locations.
55 entries started, with 40 in older cars of the BP era.
From the start on Friday evening at BP Somerton in the north
of metropolitan Melbourne a short rally stage followed to Bacchus Marsh.
Division 1 traversed Elaine, Berringa, Pittong and Lake
Goldsmith on the way to Ararat.
Nalder/Nalder/Brown led there on 14 to Spence/Kelly 15 and
Devenish/Wylie 19. The fancied
Phillips/Runnalls/Edmonds fell by the wayside early with a 30 point loss at Mortchup.
Division 2 went via Rhymney Reef, Deep Lead and Lubeck to
Horsham. Wallis/Nicholas/Krauth joined
Nalder/Brown in the lead on 50, and Officer/McKenzie joined Spence/Kelly next on 66,
who retired here with gearbox issues in the factory Corolla.
Watson took over from Haas as the mind behind the next two
divisions. Division 3 headed north then
east via Wail, Lorquon, Pella and Rainbow to Sea Lake for breakfast. Officer/McKenzie moved into the lead on 75
from Wallis/Nicholas and Devenish/Wylie on 79.
Division 4 in daylight was found less stressful taking in
Lalbert, Bald Rock, where the legend Harry Firth did a control, and Terrick East on the way to
the overnight stop at Echuca. Phillips/Runnalls
popped up in the lead on 91, narrowly to Officer/McKenzie on 93 and Wallis/Nicholas
97.
The social gathering saw a good scattering of ex BP
competitors and winners and remaining original director Graham Hoinville. A torrential downpour gave something for
everyone to try and sleep on, but Sunday dawned sunny for Mike Osborne’s final
run to Lancefield via Tongala, Bagshot, Heathcote and Tooborac. As often happens the leaders succumbed to the
pressure, so that Wallis/Nicholas/Krauth emerged as victors on 108 from
Phillips/Runnalls 121 and Officer/McKenzie 125.
The event concluded on George Reynolds property at
Lancefield. 14 crews of the 55 starters,
failed to finish.
Documents:
Navigation Exercise with Discussion Notes
Key Officials Marching Schedule
Event Reports:
HRA News March 1998 by Nick Wright
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