Old BP rally

[AW111]

We have just finished the "Old BP" rally. 1900 km around south-east australia (dirt, dust and sand roads) in 2 1/2 days (30 hours in the car).
The event is a re-creation of the classic BP rallies of the fifties and sixties, and these days is run by the HRA for historic cars (first manufactured before 1985).

I thought the entry list may be of interest (in finishing order)

1967 Datsun 1600
1982 Mercedes 280 SE
1979 Datsun Stanza
1970 Mitsubishi Galant
1973 Mitsubishi Galant
1982 Nissan Skyline RS
1979 Volvo 242 GT
1972 Mitsubishi Galant
1972 Ford Escort Mk 1
1996 Ford Falcon (special entry)
1985 Nissan S12 Silvia
1979 Volvo 144 GT
1967 Fiat 1500 mk 3 **our entry**
1981 Volvo 244 GLE
1979 Ford Falcon
1975 Datsun 180B
1975 Mitsubishi Lancer
1985 Nissan Skyline
1976 Datsun 260Z
1980 Peugot 504
1976 Ford Escort
1983 Lada Samara
1970 Austin 1800

---

Did not finish -----
1974 Peugot 504 Ti
1972 Ford Escort Mk 1
1969 Ford Mustang
1979 Toyota Corolla
1967 Ford Falcon ute
1971 Datsun P510
1972 Mitsubishi Galant
1976 Mitsubishi Lancer LB
1976 Ford Escort Mk2
1975 Mitsubishi Lancer
1984 Volvo 244 GLE
1993 Peugot 205
1977 Datsun 200B
1975 Datsun 240K
1985 Peugot 505
1974 Peugot 504
1966 Mercedes 300SE
1984 Toyota Celica
1982 Nissan Bluebird
1989 Saab 9000

It was a real endurance event - most retirements were mechanical failure, or bogged out of late time.
We only got bogged twice.

[benjj]

Would love to do this event, sounds right up my street

No Porsches, Minis or Citroens - quite surprising for desert type rallying.

[AW111]

benjj said:

Would love to do this event, sounds right up my street
Come and play! Next one is in two years time.
No Porsches, Minis or Citroens - quite surprising for desert type rallying.

I don't know why no Porsches came out to play. Minis would have trouble wint ground clearance - two of the retirements were holed sumps, despite having sump guards fitted. Our sump guard has several new gouges.

Citroens are pretty rare here in Aus, but I was talking to my wife today about how a DS or SM would be good for this type of event.

Saab entered 2 96's in 1965 for Erik Carlsson and Pat Moss.

[benjj]

There is quite a big following for the DS in Aus, the Aussie Frogs website is where they all hang out I think.

My navigator is from Perth so I'll mention this to him and see if he's keen, we've already discussed the Targa Tasmania and have got that on the want list - biggest expense is getting a car there but then again who can put a price on fun?

Is there a website with more info?

[AW111]

www.hra.org.au for information.

We/they run the Alpine as well if you prefer special stage events - three days around lakes entrance / Bright, no bitumen, no map reading or plotting.
Last event had lots of escorts, a 911 and many others.

The BP is seriously hard navigation - maps used are 50 years old, so a lot of interpretation is required, but the buzz from just finishing is immense (I have done 3 now, 1 in a lancer and 2 in the fiat, and finished each time).
It is mostly not desert, but the sand sections are the heartbreakers.

What is your car?

[benjj]

Sounds groovy.

I've just sold this, would have been great for this type of stuff.



Currently rallying an early Porsche 944. In fact it is about to be taken off the road for prepping for LeJog which is very hard on the cars.



Currently chosing the next car to buy, looking like it'll be a Fulvia.

[AW111]

Love the DS.

Porsche? Maybe.

Fulvia

[benjj]

I'm rather confident that the Porsche will become a bit of a special rally weapon. I've been talking with a few people about what to do with it and have got some gnarly ideas. Whatever I do it'll end up being around 200bhp/tonne, rwd, lsd - nothing there not to love

Just like the DS there isn't much in the way of works 944 mods. I'm thinking along these kinds of lines:



Anyway, sorry to hijack your thread, back to the Aussie BP

[lowdrag]

And the Austin 1800 finished too!!!!

[jith]

lowdrag said:

And the Austin 1800 finished too!!!!

One of the most underrated cars from Austin/Morris. I thought they were great and so comfortable.

J