August 19 is a historic day in Australian motorsport as it marks the ending of the 1979 Repco Reliability Trial.
Won by Holden’s Peter Brock, Matt Philip and Noel Richards, the two week torture test circumnavigating Australia was a gruelling event where not only were the cars tested, but arguably even more so were the drivers.
Brock acknowledged this event as his most proudest achievement due in part to the pre-event commentary suggesting his entry was a publicity stunt.
Holden was easily the best prepared of the teams entering the Repco, led by George Shepherd the end result was a dream 1-2-3 for the Marlboro-backed squad.
Although Ford had the luxury of a factory rally team with Colin Bond at the helm, it’s decision to participate was late and although the Cortina proved a solid competitor, the Blue Oval attack suffered from not being as prepared as its Holden rivals.
A field of 167 started the 19,000km journey from the Melbourne Showgrounds on August 5, with the leaders anticipated to finish at the same location on August 19.
Factory entries came from Porsche, Volvo, Audi, Peugeot with a diesel-powered 504 and a Japanese Subaru Leone was entered by a Japanese crew.
Other oddities included a Chevy Blazer and C10 pick up, Larry Perkins in a Volkswagen Beetle, a Mini Moke, plus a Citroen CX2400 driven by London to Sydney winner Andrew Cowan.
Rally ace Geoff Portman was the early leader in his Datsun Stanza, but by Perth the Holden challenge was coming into its own.
The other Holden entries were filled with rally aces led by local drivers Barry Ferguson and Wayne Bell navigated by Dave Boddy, while international professionals Shekhar Mehta and Rauno Aaltonen were teamed with journalist Barry Lake.
Although the international Commodore held significant experience, it dropped behind its teammates as Ferguson and Brock went at it through Western Australia, the Northern Territory, but in Queensland orders were imposed.
Townsville marked a key part of the rally as Holden heavies ordered the three Commodores to stay in formation until the final leg of the rally in Victoria, preserving a 1-2-3 result.
As it turned out, Brock secured victory in what was a frantic fortnight and Holden launched the new VB Commodore perfectly to a podium clean-sweep finish in the Repco Reliability Trial.
It was to be last Round Australia Trial to be held until 1995, which Holden won again. Brock participated, but was well down the order as rally champion Ed Ordynski and Ross Runnalls took the victory in a Holden VR Commodore.
The last event of this type was run in 1998.