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The ‘Peugeot Round Australia Rerun’ is entering it’s final stage, with the field
set to finish their four week long adventure in Sydney on Sunday May 21.
50 years ago the very first 'Ampol Reliability Trial' was held, which
became part of Australian motoring folklore and like the Redex Trials before
them, spawned a multitude of 'Round Australia' rallies in the ensuing years.
Conditions were treacherous, and the competitors faced tremendous obstacles to
finish the grueling journey around the nation.
50 years on an adventurous group of classic Peugeot owners have embarked on a
rerun to commemorate the famous victory of a Peugeot 403 model in
1956.
After making their way up the east coast as far as Bundaberg, competitors are
now headed for Adelaide before setting off for Melbourne, Canberra and finally Sydney to complete the 11,500km trip. They have just
spent the last 2 weeks traveling through the regional areas of Queensland, NSW,
Victoria and will soon be in South Australia.
When Wilf Murrell and Allen Taylor brought their Peugeot 403 home in first
place in 1956, it firmly established the Peugeot name in Australia as
one of reliability and durability, with the car perfectly suited the hostile
conditions of the time. It followed the victory of a Peugeot 203 in the nation’s
very first Reliability Trial – the 1953 Redex event.
The classic Peugeot’s, some of them now over 50 years old have carried on the
proud tradition, with the field comfortably traveling around the nation and competing in motorsport events along the way.
Mr. Rob Dommerson, Managing Director of Peugeot Automobiles Australia, said,
“The fact that these Peugeot’s can still drive the required 11,500 kilometres
while giving their owners great pleasure, goes part of the way to explaining the
mystique and strength behind the Peugeot name. Peugeot has a long and proud
history in Australia, with 57 years of continuous representation, and we also
have a very strong link with rural customers, evidenced by the success of the
company’s diesel models”.
The competitors have enjoyed great public support in the cities and towns
that they have visited along the way. Don Pearson for example, who is competing
in a rare Peugeot 204 is using the event to help promote the Australian Red
Cross Blood Service. As a dedicated donor of blood and blood products (in
particular plasma) for over 30 years, Don is promoting the importance of
donating blood at every opportunity:
"I wanted to use the opportunity to give something back, and to spread the
word throughout the community about the importance of donating blood and blood
products," he said. "The others in my team aren't able to donate for various
health reasons, but I haven't got any health problems, so people like me are
really needed by the blood service. To date, I've donated over 127 times!"
Public displays have been organised for the remainder of the Rerun, with the
finish at the Loftus Tramways Museum on Sunday May 21. The field of 60 cars
is expected to arrive between 3pm and 4pm.
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