The 1979 Round Australia Trial, officially the Repco Reliability Trial was the twelfth running of the Round Australia Trial. The rally took place between 5 and 19 August 1979. It was won by Peter Brock, Matt Philip and Noel Richards, driving a Holden Commodore.[1]
| 1979 Round Australia Trial Repco Reliability Trial | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Host country |  Australia | |
| Rally base | Melbourne | |
| Dates run | 5 – 19 August 1979 | |
| Stages | 134 | |
| Stage surface | Tarmac and Gravel | |
| Overall distance | 19,000 km (12,000 miles) | |
| Statistics | ||
| Crews | 167 at start, 92 at finish | |
| Overall results | ||
| Overall winner | Peter Brock Matt Philip Noel Richards Holden Dealer Team | |
Route
editThe 19,000 kilometre rally commenced at the Melbourne Showgrounds, circumnavigating Australia in an anti-clockwise direction.[2][3] Of the 167 entrants, 92 finished.[4] Two competitors were killed after their car rolled near Kununurra.[5]
Results
edit| Pos | No | Entrant | Drivers | Car | Penalties (Time) No. of Controls Missed (Mc) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 05 | Holden Dealer Team
|
Peter Brock Matt Philip Noel Richards
|
Holden Commodore VB | 3hr 39min 18sec |
| 2 | 17 | Holden Dealer Team
|
Barry Ferguson Wayne Bell Dave Boddy
|
Holden Commodore VB | 3hr 52min 39sec |
| 3 | 3 | Holden Dealer Team
|
 Shekhar Mehta Rauno Aaltonen Barry Lake
|
Holden Commodore VB | 4hr 53min 39sec |
| 4 | 7 | Volvo Dealer Team-Queensland
|
Ross Dunkerton Peter McKay Geoff Jones
|
Volvo 244 GT | 8hr 24min 54sec |
| 5 | 9 | Ford Motor Company of Australia
|
Greg Carr Dave Morrow Fred Gocentas
|
Ford Cortina TE | 9hr 12min 13sec |
| 6 | 81 | Victoria Toyota Dealers
|
Wes Nalder Ian Richards Geoff Boyd
|
Toyota Celica RA40 | 9hr 57min 25sec |
| 7 | 50 | Gosford Dyno-Tune Centre
|
Ian Hill Dale Loader Frank Neale
|
Mitsubishi Lancer | 12hr 24min 11sec |
| 8 | 1 | Porsche Cars Australia
|
Edgar Herrmann Dean Rainsford
|
Porsche 911 Carrera | 12hr 39min 2sec |
| 9 | 8 | Porsche Cars Australia
|
 Jürgen Barth Roland Kussmaul
|
Porsche 924 | 13hr 9min 3sec |
| 10 | 24 | Tyrepower Limited
|
Gil Davis Phil Eather Graham Toner
|
Datsun 180B | 16hr 9min 38sec |
| 11 | 11 | King Gee Clothing Company
|
Bob Watson Garry Harrowfield
|
Peugeot 504 Diesel | 16hr 22min 18sec |
| 12 | 12 |  U.S. Rally Team
|
Steve Mizel Rod Hall Rod Fricker Adrian Mortimer
|
Chevrolet Blazer | 27hr 5min 38sec |
| 13 | 47 | Robert Jackson
|
Robert Jackson Des West Ross Jackson
|
Holden Commodore VB | 29hr 2min 6sec |
| 14 | 41 | Darryl Rowney
|
Darryl Rowney Robert Wilson Bob Tyson
|
Datsun 180B | 1mc 20hr 28min 18sec |
| 15 | 87 | Balmains of Bega
|
Max Roberts Eric Waterson Tony Carroll
|
Holden Commodore VB | 1mc 53hr 57min 8sec |
| 16 | 60 | Arthur Davis
|
Graham Clarke Arthur Davis Graham Burge
|
Datsun 180B | 3mc 33hr 22min 28sec |
| 17 | 63 | Newcastle Broadcasting & Television (NBN-3)
|
Murray Finlay James Sullivan Lyndon MacLeod
|
Holden Commodore VB | 3mc 33hr 23min 7sec |
| 18 | 92 | Peter Hurrey
|
Peter Hurrey David Geddes
|
Toyota Celica RA40 | 4mc 27hr 46min 44sec |
| 19 | 76 | Volvo Dealer Team-New South Wales
|
Barbara Beveridge Anne Heaney Lynn Jarman
|
Volvo 244 DL | 5mc 30hr 34min 50sec |
| 20 | 53 | Volvo Dealer Team-South Australia
|
John Miettunen Russell Morgan John Suominen
|
Volvo 244 DL | 5mc 40hr 25min 31sec |
| 21 | 160 | Kevin McDiarmid
|
Kevin McDiarmid Peter Phegan David Travis
|
Datsun 180B | 6mc 44hr 57min 10sec |
| 22 | 22 | Shepparton Rally Team
|
Geoff Portman Doug Thompson John Hammond
|
Datsun Stanza | 7mc 12hr 2min 5sec |
| 23 | 70 | Townsville Sporting Car Club
|
Ian McCubbin Richard Kelly David Guyatt
|
Holden Monaro HZ | 7mc 35hr 10min 9sec |
| 24 | 56 | Peter de Vaus
|
Ian Faulkner Peter de Vaus Keith Bateson
|
Peugeot 504 | 8mc 27hr 1min 55sec |
| 25 | 13 | Ford Motor Company of Australia
|
George Fury Roger Bonhomme Monty Suffern
|
Ford Cortina TE | 10mc 14hr 10min 5sec |
| 26 | 144 | Giddings Datsun
|
Rod Jones Trevor Seaman John Giddings
|
Datsun 200B | 10mc 24hr 37min 53sec |
| 27 | 115 | Melbourne University Car Club
|
John Birrell Brian Smith Rosemary Nixon
|
Renault 16 TS | 10mc 50hr 50min 20sec |
| 28 | 152 | Garry Geissler
|
Grant O'Donnell Garry Geissler Andrew Gibson
|
Holden Torana LX | 10mc 54hr 47min 48sec |
| 29 | 28 | Dick Smith Electronics
|
Jack Murray Jeff d'Albora John Murray
|
Holden Commodore VB | 11mc 38hr 59min 34sec |
| 30 | 39 | Volvo Dealer Team-Western Australia
|
Frank Johnson Steve Vanderbyl
|
Volvo 242 GT | 12mc 25hr 2min 21sec |
| 31 | 31 | Barry Dick
|
Barry Lloyd Malcolm Crockenberg John Dick
|
Mitsubishi Colt | 13mc 41hr 51min 11sec |
| 32 | 74 | Peter Flanagan
|
Brett Goldsborough Peter Flanagan Phillip Grounds
|
Holden Commodore VB | 16mc 62hr 32min 0sec |
| 33 | 73 | Peter Lockhart
|
Peter Lockhart Des Dunstan Ian Finlayson
|
Holden Commodore VB | 17mc 42hr 24min 15sec |
| 34 | 208 | Nicholas Penny
|
Nicholas Penny Andrew Kennard David Brown
|
Holden Torana LH | 18mc 43hr 56min 4sec |
| 35 | 155 | Lance Motors, St Marys
|
Ray Lance John Craft Paul Robinson
|
Holden Commodore VB | 21mc 25hr 59min 52sec |
| 36 | 104 | Ralph Boys
|
Ralph Boys Greg Vonthien
|
Ford F100 | 22mc 34hr 32min 22sec |
| 37 | 142 | HMAS Cerberus Car Club
|
Neil Turner Keith Donohue John Sparrow
|
Leyland P76 | 22mc 68hr 21min 16sec |
| 38 | 131 | Dr. Wayne Herdy
|
Wayne Herdy Pat O'Kane Brian Gramenz
|
Peugeot 504 | 22mc 68hr 21min 16sec |
| 39 | 146 | David Sheridan
|
David Sheridan Richard Reid
|
Datsun 1600 | 23mc 41hr 6min 45sec |
| 40 | 120 | Hal Moloney
|
Hal Moloney Ian Vitnell Paul Daley
|
Leyland P76 | 23mc 49hr 42min 33sec |
| 41 | 82 | Christian Autosport Club of Australia
|
George Kahler Bruce Partridge Wayne Simeon
|
Mazda RX-4 | 27mc 47hr 33min 7sec |
| 42 | 159 | Jim Farmer
|
Jim Farmer Campbell Farmer Ron Fraser
|
Leyland P76 | 27mc 58hr 22min 7sec |
| 43 | 78 | Peter Foden
|
Denis Baker Bruce Young Peter Foden
|
Leyland P76 | 29mc 60hr 34min 43sec |
| 44 | 14 |  Noriyuki Koseki
|
Noriyuki Koseki Yoshio Takaoka Hiroshi Okazaki
|
Subaru Leone | 30mc 29hr 47min 12sec |
| 45 | 171 | Grahame Heaton
|
Grahame Heaton Robert Shepheard Brian Mann
|
Holden HJ Panel Van | 31mc 71hr 42min 57sec |
| 46 | 27 |  Autec Rallying
|
Jock Wilson Fred Baker Helen Freeze
|
Mercedes-Benz 280S | 32mc 38hr 22min 14sec |
| 47 | 134 | David Tattingham
|
David Tattingham Rob Geue Peter Kemp
|
Holden EH | 32mc 44hr 7min 39sec |
| 48 | 101 | Roger Ingerson
|
Roger Ingerson Jerry Wilson David MacCulloch
|
Peugeot 404 | 32mc 44hr 40min 56sec |
| 49 | 98 | Greg Nicholson
|
Greg Nicholson Alan Crawford
|
Mitsubishi Lancer | 32mc 46hr 15min 16sec |
| 50 | 141 | Paul Lahiff
|
Paul Lahiff John Beath Michael Clarke
|
Holden HR | 33mc 34hr 39min 38sec |
| 51 | 99 | Les Boaden
|
Les Boaden Brian Atkins Wayne Pritchard
|
Mazda RX-4 | 33mc 45hr 7min 55sec |
| 52 | 172 | Graham Stockley
|
Graham Stockley Kevin O'Neil
|
Porsche 911E | 33mc 45hr 25min 50sec |
| 53 | 57 | Gary Meehan
|
Gary Meehan Greg Gifford Ken Gardiner
|
Holden Monaro HT GTS | 34mc 30hr 49min 26sec |
| 54 | 86 | Steel Industries Auto Club
|
Dave Colless Ray Johnston Richard McCoy
|
Datsun 1600 | 35mc 38hr 29min 3sec |
| 55 | 167 | Quay Ford, Cairns
|
Peter Roggenkamp Terry Adair Michael Eakin
|
Ford Escort GL | 36mc 47hr 36min 17sec |
| 56 | 202 | Greg Walker
|
Greg Walker Mel McCann
|
Renault R12 Virage | 36mc 80hr 28min 3sec |
| 57 | 79 | Doug Minett
|
Doug Minett Doug Chappie Don Watson
|
Datsun 1600 | 38mc 48hr 52min 54sec |
| 58 | 61 | Dave Potter Motors
|
Dave Potter Garry Bain
|
Mazda RX-3 | 39mc 25hr 24min 28sec |
| 59 | 35 | John Taylor
|
John Taylor Robert Hunt
|
Rover 3500 | 39mc 60hr 24min 23sec |
| 60 | 37 | Miss M. O'Shanesy
|
Caroline O'Shanesy Barbara Dean Meg O'Shanesy
|
Fiat 131 Mirafori | 39mc 65hr 40min 3sec |
| 61 | 185 | J&P Richardson
|
Joe Richardson Alan Daniel Bruce Fullerton
|
Ford Falcon XD | 40mc 92hr 51min 14sec |
| 62 | 143 | Russell Tyrie
|
Ross Nielson Jim Stewart Russell Tyrie
|
Holden HQ | 41mc 32hr 29min 0sec |
| 63 | 187 | John Gough
|
John Gough Ken Hutton Tony Bishop
|
Holden Torana LJ | 44mc 34hr 37min 6sec |
| 64 | 140 | Peter Glover
|
Peter Glover Peter Burke John Hather
|
Volkswagen Beetle 1600 | 44mc 42min 37min 28sec |
| 65 | 90 | Mick Myers
|
Mick Myers Mal Sinfield Michael Myers
|
Peugeot 504 | 46mc 38hr 39min 50sec |
| 66 | 103 | Dr. Jim Caudle
|
Jim Caudle Graham Drew Wally Eisden
|
Datsun 1600 | 47mc 75hr 59min 55sec |
| 67 | 20 | Olympic Tyre and Rubber Company
|
Hans Tholstrup Geoff Perry
|
Chevrolet C20 Pick Up | 51mc 46hr 20min 30sec |
| 68 | 186 | Leo Smith
|
Dick Bray Kevin McMahon Leo Smith
|
Valiant 770 Charger | 54mc 50hr 7min 53sec |
| 69 | 19 | Ron Clyborne
|
Ron Clyborne Jim Hayes Allen Turton
|
Ford F-250 Pick Up | 54mc 60hr 12min 2sec |
| 70 | 106 | Ross Easton
|
Ross Easton Don Rayner Reg Bell
|
Datsun 1600 | 54mc 61hr 16min 34sec |
| 70 | 179 | Harold Rayner
|
Harold Rayner Barry Campbell Robert Loader
|
Holden HT | 56mc 48hr 35min 58sec |
| 72 | 126 | Tom Hayden
|
Tom Hayden John Phillis Richard Hogan
|
Mazda RX-2 | 56mc 59hr 19min 42sec |
| 73 | 197 | John Darby
|
John Darby John Clark Colin Stewart
|
Holden HR | 58mc 40hr 57min 42sec |
| 74 | 178 | Bolch Transport
|
Mal Bolch Vin Keane Malcolm Owen
|
Holden Monaro HJ GTS | 59mc 53min 1min 3sec |
| 75 | 64 | Alderman Keith Jones
|
Keith Jones Kim Jones Peter Webber
|
Riley 2.5 Litre | 59mc 55hr 18min 55sec |
| 76 | 102 | Mainway Car Sales
|
Kevin Cafe Robert Gurney Anthony Dawson
|
Mazda RX-4 | 60mc 26hr 23min 1sec |
| 77 | 181 | Tony Koch
|
Tony Koch Bill Darling Albert Koch
|
Holden Commodore VB | 60mc 43hr 43min 40sec |
| 78 | 123 | Ken Garner
|
Ken Garner Mick Madden Allan Corben
|
Holden Torana LX | 64mc 25hr 29min 22sec |
| 79 | 194 | James Donaghue
|
Jim Donaghue Stephen Logan David Grace
|
Toyota Celica | 65mc 35hr 22min 16sec |
| 80 | 180 | North Shore Sporting Car Club
|
Greg Lunney John Stanmore Garry Tyler
|
Peugeot 504 | 69mc 78hr 23min 6sec |
| 81 | 189 | John Spanbroek
|
John Spanbroek Rog Compton John Plywright
|
Datsun 240K | 70mc 2hr 16min 58sec |
| 82 | 83 | Toyoparts
|
Bob Bird Roger McKinnon
|
Toyota Corolla | 70mc 27hr 0min 31sec |
| 83 | 201 | E.G. Fullager
|
E. Fullager Terry Fullager Dot Fullager Donna Fullager
|
Holden Monaro HT GTS | 72mc 37hr 4min 14sec |
| 84 | 55 | McArthur Rally Team
|
Peter McArthur Greg McArthur Merawyn McArthur
|
Ford Falcon XY | 72mc 63hr 25min 39sec |
| 85 | 207 | Jim Reinders
|
Jim Reinders John Lewis
|
Holden FJ | 73mc 36hr 11min 53sec |
| 86 | 117 | Mark Ferrier
|
Mark Ferrier Ted Smith
|
Honda Civic | 79mc 38hr 3min 15sec |
| 87 | 195 | Richard Moore
|
Richard Moore Phillip Sethna
|
Volkswagen Beetle | 80mc 28hr 7min 36sec |
| 88 | 113 | Malcolm Hall
|
Malcolm Hall Ross Smith Andrew Lott
|
Ford Escort Mark II | 85mc 25hr 29min 39sec |
| 89 | 198 | Ian Sheridan
|
Terry McTigue Ian Sheridan Robert Wilson
|
Holden HQ Panel Van | 87mc 26hr 3min 47sec |
| 90 | 191 | Spartan Equipment S/S
|
Norm Sparkes Clayton Barry
|
Ford Fairmont XC | 87mc 28hr 47min 6sec |
| 91 | 188 | Peter Webster
|
Peter Webster Trevor Jolly Rob McIntyre
|
Holden FJ | 91mc 35hr 40min 5sec |
| 92 | 30 | Pacific Ford
|
John Bryson Sonja Kable-Cumming
|
Ford Escort 2.0 Turbo Mark II | 104mc 25hr 44min 36sec |
| Source:[6][7][8][9][10][11][12] | |||||
References
edit- ^ Commodores' clean sweep Canberra Times 20 August 1979 page 16
- ^ Repco Reliability Trial Navy News 1 June 1979 page 16
- ^ Repco Reliability Trail 40th Anniversary Reunion Auto Action 30 June 2019
- ^ Colin Bond leads trial as cars arrive in Perth Canberra Times 10 August 1979 page 18
- ^ Rally drivers die in crash Canberra Times 14 August 1979 page 9
- ^ Ian Richards. "Entrants-Car No.1 to 50".
- ^ Ian Richards. "Entrants-Car No.51 to 100".
- ^ Ian Richards. "Entrants-Car No.101 to 150".
- ^ Ian Richards. "Entrants-Car No.151 to 208".
- ^ Ian Richards. "Results".
- ^ "Retro Trial Finishers". Sydney Morning Herald. 25 August 1979.
- ^ Hal Moloney, Long Distance Trials in Australia by Car, Plane & Motor Cycle, 2018, pages 215-219