Caledonia gets set for tough safari

Caledonian motor enthusiasts in October were preparing for keen overseas competition in the third Safari Caledonien on November 8 for three days.

Car manufacturers showed a keen interest in GMH’s Holden and BMC’s Austin entered for the first time, joining French Renault, Peugeot and Citroen, Swedish Volvo, Japanese Colt and an Italian Fiat, being specially prepared in Sydney by Bob Holden.

Twelve Australian teams competed in the second safari last year and subsequently it was decided to count the Caledonian trial towards a 1970 South Pacific Rally championship, which will also include points scored in the Southern Cross Rally as well as New Guinea, New Zealand and possibly an Indonesian trial.

Among personalities entered in the 800 mile Caledonian event are Australian veteran Jack Murray (“gelegnite Jack”), John Keran (winner of the first safari), Colin Bond who came second last year and Gilbert Diez of Tahiti, Last year’s winner Jean-Claude Ogier was also expected back from France to drive a Citroen DS2I. Ogier was navigator for Lucien Bianchi who crashed on the last lap of the London-Sydney marathon last December, and was later killed in a European car race.

After the gruelling experiences of last December, (41 cars at the start, only 26 at the finish, PIM, Feb., p. 34), organisers this year agreed to allow two categories of competitors—the keen sportsmen who will cover every mile of the route, and the tourists who have the option of omitting some of the most hazardous circuits.

The safari is sponsored by Total Pacifique and La France Australe in conjunction with the Automobile Club de la Nouvelle-Caledonie.