some mechanical headaches for competitors, the John Giddings Memorial Rally went off mostly without a hitch, with all but one of the drivers finishing the course.
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Twenty-six cars started the 190-kilometre, eight-stage rally at Mount Canobolas on Saturday, with 25 making it across the line.
Australian Motor Sport Action Group event director Peter Crich said conditions were perfect and had competitors grinning from ear to ear.
“The drivers said the track was as good as anywhere and they like coming to Orange,” he said.
Michael Valentine won the classic section with his son Tim as navigator in a Datsun 1600, while Jason Flint and navigator Chris Dowsett won the open category in a Nissan Silvia.
Rae Waterhouse was the first woman across the line.
Laurie Williams won the Ray Giffin Encouragement Award, named after Cowra mechanical engineer who raced as a navigator with his son in 2005, shortly before his death from cancer.
“Moving through the forests at warp speed, it’s pretty rough, so the award is for anyone who wins against adversity,” Mr Crich said.
“Laurie had some technical issues and he fixed them and beat the sweep car so he stayed in the event,” he said.
Mr Crich said numbers were down this year due to events in Alice Springs and Sydney.
“The timing with the dates wasn’t perfect, but the numbers were good for us considering the other events going on,” he said.
