The Classic Outback Trial is a seven-day desert rally that’s said to relive the legendary adventures of the Redex, Ampol, Mobil and Repco trials in a realistic time frame. It’s been held on amazing roads and tracks throughout the Australian outback with the last two events based out of Alice Springs.
This year’s Trial consists of a special stage rally, a regularity rally and a tagalong tour, and is scheduled to start in Parkes (NSW) on Sunday 22nd August before moving through Orange and then finishing in Bathurst on Saturday 28th August.
It will be the first time the special stage rally will consist of two distinct vehicle categories:
- The Historic and Classic Rally Car category for 2WD Historic (to 1980), Classic (to 1988) and Production Rally Cars (to 1985) which includes such diverse cars as Triumph 2000, Volvo 242, Mitsubishi Colt, Mercedes 350 SL, Datsun 1600, Holden Monaro and Commodores as well as Ford Cortina and Escorts.
- The Allcomers category for 2WD and 4WD Club Cars (all years) and Production Rally Cars – which include FIA Homologated cars – (from 1986), as well other cars which meet the organiser’s selection criteria. This category caters for a wide variety of cars of varying ages and technical specifications, but with modern safety engineering being an essential ingredient.
Details of the Trial can be found at classicoutbacktrial.com.au
Phil Bernadou has been the Event Organiser of the Classic Outback Trial since its inception with the past twelve months being the most challenging he’s ever faced.
Phil joins me for this months Famous Last Words podcast and talks about the event, it’s history and the reason why it will be his last event. I hope you enjoy it.