A 725km Leg, the competition for the day (93km or 13%) was concentrated in the early part, due to the flat and driving boring terrain further north. In all, were three good sections, just to the north of Mount Isa.

The first was ‘Carlton Hill 1’ followed 4km later by ‘Carlton Hill 2’. These were excellent sections on a vast 1.4 million acre property. The first was a flowing section following the Gunpowder Creek, generally smooth but with many creek crossings and dips. The second section was similar to the first but with some rocky stretches in the middle. The third section ‘Thorntonia’ was very rough and narrow from the start and then the road improved where it had recently been graded. A challenging, very dusty, section. The 440km drive afterwards to Normanton was long and tedious, with a stop at Gregory Downs for fuel/food and service.

First vehicle left Mount Isa at 0800 and arrived at Normanton at 1715. Competitive sections of 38, 27, 28km. 61 started the Leg and 61 finished.