Leg 8 – the course… 

Another long, demanding overnight run to cover the almost 2000km to Darwin. First up was a 295km highway run to the 20km ‘Blina’ stage, a short blast over farm tracks in an area devoid of rally roads!

Then came the 660km drive to Kununurra via the infamous Gibb River Road which cut through the heart of the Kimberley’s. It was long and tough and, although not a competitive stage, nevertheless tested car preparation and crew endurance. The rest break at Kununurra was most welcomed.

From Kununurra the event headed east across the Victoria Highway to the Western Australian and Northern Territory border for the 51km ‘Rosewood’ stage on the Rosewood property, then to Timber Creek for refuelling and further east to the 61km ‘Manbullo’ stage, located just before Katherine, the latter being conducted by the Katherine Motor Sports Club. The stage finished at the old-World War Two airstrip of the same name.

After a service/refuel at Katherine there was the 24km ‘Jindare’ stage with its 16 creek crossings (mostly dry in June), which was run by the North Australian Motor Sports Club. This stage was a fast run through the scenic Umbrawarra Gorge. A stage named the ‘Darwin River Dam’, which skirted around the perimeter of Darwin’s main water catchment area, was cancelled.

Then into Darwin for a rest, albeit short from the competitors’ point of view after the long journey from Broome.