In 1968 the first London to Sydney Car Rally was held and STV8 news cameras covered the action at one of the check points along the route. Cars roll in under various states of repair after their journey through Europe, Asia and finally Australia, a trip totaling 10,373 miles (16,694 km).
Cameraman Kent Smith remembers the occasion well and said that “the film was shot over a several locations, mainly near Menindee Lakes.” He recalls that “the Citroen driven by Bianchi and Ogier had a huge lead but had a serious head on crash near Nowra with a vehicle that ignored road closed signs. Rumour at the time had it that the Citroen would have won easily and that the crash was a deliberate act of sabotage to stop the French car winning. London sponsors The Daily Express and owner Sir Max Aitken, wanted a British car to win. It would have been a PR disaster if the French Citroen won, so he allegedly organised the crash to take them out.”
Of local interest, Eddie Perkins and Doug Whitford competed in the event in a Holden Monaro GST – No 68 and were placed 14th.
A list of placings can be found here:
https://www.ewrc-results.com/final/15556-daily-express-london-sydney-marathon-1968
