Who is Mike Mitchell
HDT Rally Monaro Driver and Navigator just not at the same time
Mike Mitchell had the passion and talent to sit in either the Driver or Navigator seat. He is best know though as a Works Factory level Navigator for Holden and then Datsun.
However when you own the Ex-Barry Ferguson HDT 350 Rally Monaro the Driver seat is yours and Mike competed in Rallycross in the big Monaro for a bit of fun behind the wheel.
Rally Monaro HDT Real Deal
Works Factory Level Navigator for Holden and Datsun
Partnering with Driver Peter Janson, Mike Mitchell had ARC success in 1971 including 1st outright in the George Derrick Rally and 7th in the Warana Rally in the HDT 350 Monaro.
What do you do with a HDT Rally Monaro when Holden no longer need it. In 1971 Mike Mitchell had purchased the Ex-Barry Furgoson HDT 350 Monaro and put it to good work in Rallycross.
Mike sensibly removed the headlights during Rallycross events to protect them from the wheel spinning stone throwing Rallycross realities with the rough and tight close racing tracks. Pretty important when you are driving the Monaro to and from the track as was usual in the day.
Memories of the past
Datsun Factory Works Navigator
During the 1972 ARC season Mike Mitchell looked after navigating duties in a Holden LJ GTR XU1 Torana and a Datsun 1600 SSS.
Mike Mitchell’s Navigator credentials got him into the Datsun Works team in a 180B SSS for the 1972 Southern Cross Rally.
1972 Dulux Rally Mike Mitchell Navigator with Datsun racing driver John Roxburgh in TKS 5002. This is the works Datsun 180B SSS shared with Edgar Herrmann in the Southern Cross Rally a month earlier.
In 1974 Mike Mitchell partnered with Bill Evans to contest the ARC in a Datsun 120Y. Finishing in the top 5 for each event Mike Mitchell finished 4th Navigator in the championship.
The Monaro is the "Camp Fire" that Friends and Family gather around. Strangers are drawn to her, Memories are refreshed and New Memories made. Work, Laugh and Learn together. This is Classic Rally.