1970 was the beginning of Rallycross and thanks Ian Smith for sharing a very cool newspaper article on this epic event. 4,000 people turned out at Cadler for the first Rallycross on November 4th to be entertained by drivers such as John Keran, Colin Bond, Graham Alexander, Warwick Henderson and Tony Roberts.
Rallycross covered both bitumen and dirt with jumps and water hazards making it a huge spectacle. The small track was perfect for spectator viewing and the mix of cars from minis to Monaros meant something for every fan to cheer for. Bond, Alexander, Henderson and Roberts were in the mighty Holden Monaros. It is interesting that Bond was in a 253 powered Monaro, I would love to know the story there, while Roberts had a GTS 350 Monaro.
The event had 24 starters from Bathurst royalty to complete newcomers racing side by side. Consisting of 6 races, lap times were determined in round 1 allowing cars to be matched into groups of similar times. This led to close overall racing but the different cars were fast in different parts of the course meaning lots of order changes adding to the excitement.
Bond crossed the line in the Monaro just a few seconds in front of Keran in the Repco Volvo on one of the rounds. The Monaro had plenty of power but with course grip limited the tight course likely advantaged the smaller cars. Alan Duke managed to duck under the the big Holden Monaro of Alexander at Firth’s dip in one lap. Plenty of understeer from Bonds Monaro would sweep others to the outside creating a gap for Green in his little high flying Austin.
The final was between Roberts (Monaro 350), Keran (Repco Volvo), Green (Austin) and Bond (Monaro 253). Keran blasted away at the start and led for the two laps to win the series and become the first Rallycross winner in Australia in his Repco Volvo. Tony Roberts came second while owning the fastest individual two laps of the day in his GTS 350 Monaro with Colin Bond third in the 253 Monaro.
Bring back Rallycross I say with home built cars and as much variety as 1970 and everyone would be watching.
