SYDNEY – Finish: PORT MACQUARIE
Ross Dunkerton/Jeff Beaumont, Datsun Stanza Winners of the last Southern Cross International Rally 1980 18 – 22 OCTOBER Start: SYDNEY – Finish: PORT MACQUARIE 202 PREAMBLE The 1980 event was not conducted by the Australian Sporting Car Club as it had run into financial and staff difficulties. The inability to attract a major sponsor and the absence of experienced administrators, for the previous two years’ team of Peter Berriman and Tony Webb stood down after the 1979 event. The event was managed by a team put together by CAMS and the rescue effort started only some eight weeks prior to the event being conducted, with Castrol Rally Director Geoff Sykes taking the lead to set the event, assisted by Peter Reynell, Manager of CAMS NSW. Sensibly, with the late start to its organising the event continued with the well-used practice of starting in Sydney, again at Amaroo Park, travelling to Port Macquarie and being based here until the finish. SUMMARY Ross Dunkerton and Jeff Beaumont Dunkerton’s and Beaumont’s victory gave the Nissan Rally Team its fourth win in a row in the prestigious event, bringing them close to the enviable record set by Mitsubishi when Andrew Cowan won five on end. Nissan’s effort was a wholly Australian one with all local drivers. The Team was again under the quiet control of manager Howard Marsden. Ross Dunkerton in the very last 1980 Southern Cross International Rally – the last battle between the Datsun Stanza and the Ford Escort RS 1800 Second and third places went to Ford Australia crews running Escort RS1800s.
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