Tour of 1981 George Derrick Memorial Trial. 26 & 27 October 2019
This behemoth of a rally in 1981 that included impassable terrain and a competitor ‘mutiny’ will be re-traced this October, minus both those elements. The event was in the famous Sunset Country and the Western Victorian deserts.
The Victorian deserts are remarkable and much underrated. The scenery is outstanding the roads are great. Over the 800 km only 5 cautions have had to be been route charted. It will also offer the opportunity to test the memories and recollections of those involved in 1981.
Geoff Byron has put together this incredible 800 km tour of what was just his second ever rally.
Saturday 26 October will commence in Horsham at the 1981 start location and travel northward to the infamous Wail Nursery section. The day will consist of 340 km and finish in Ouyen.
Sunday morning will start with a revisit of the Ouyen Tip section, then Timberoo (the sight of a number of 1981 boggings) and onward through Wyperfeld, to Rocket Lake and Sunset Country.
Toward the end of the day we will enjoy a nice drive through the unique Boinka Lakes section that was cancelled in 1981. The day will consist of 460 km of mostly quite fast roads and conclude at Murrayville, just like in 1981 where the ‘mutiny’ took place.
The Murrayville Hotel will host a Sunday evening dinner. The Hotel offers some 26 beds upstairs and in motel rooms at the rear. Murrayville also has the Jacobs Well backpackers accommodation facility and a few cabins at the caravan park
The entry fee is just $150. An information document and an entry form are now available on the event page.
Don’t miss it.
Like the original, it will be epic.
Historic Rally Association 