Muscle Maniac
Previewing the Repco Round Oz Retrial. Entrant Phil Walmsley talks us through preparations for the big event, where he will circumnavigate the continent in a genuine VC ‘Brock’ Commodore.
Phil Walmsley is set for a Retrial. Sorry, we mean he is set to go on the Retrial – the Repco Round Oz Retrial. Here the BCOAA identity talks us through his planning for the big event, which will see him circumnavigate the continent in a genuine VC ‘Brock’ Commodore, no less than AMC issue #60’s cover car.
The 1979 Repco Round Australia Trial is regarded as the last great Australian motoring adventure, capturing the attention of the general public like nothing since. I was in my rst year in the workforce, and remember the radio’s hourly news including event updates. Holden famously proved the durability of the recently-released Commodore with the HDT’s 1-2-3 result, with Peter Brock considering it as his nest win.
When it was announced that there was to be a ‘Retrial’ to commemorate the 40th anniversary event, I thought it would be the adventure of lifetime. I just had to do it! I was fortunate to have good mate Jason Ashcroft jump onboard to share the fun and that left the question of what car to use. We threw around a number of ideas, but considerations including cost, storage and preparation time pointed to the logical choice of using a car we already owned.
Many people may not think a genuine VC HDT ‘Brock’ Commodore to be a wise choice, but I couldn’t think of anything better. I’ve owned
it since 2004 and covered about 80,000km in that time. It’s comfortable and roomy, and what better way to pay homage to the efforts of HDT and Brock in the ’79 Trial than to run a car built by that company and bearing his signature. I think he’d approve.
Despite the car being a known quantity, there is still much preparation required for an event of this magnitude. A 3.36:1 diff may be
ne for general use, but we wanted to lower engine revs to be kinder to the engine when covering 17,000km in a month. The 2.6:1 diff now tted has achieved that goal. A kinked fuel tank breather line necessitated the tank being removed and the line being replaced. The long-range tank was already in the car, but we can now be con dent it can be completely
lled allowing us to cover those long distances between some outback servos.
Usual precautions including tting new wheel
bearings, hoses, belts, water pump and probably some more things we’ll nd as the event approaches, plus carrying an inventory of spares hopefully ensures we have an uneventful trip. Measures have also been taken to protect the car itself, with the tting of clear protective lm on vulnerable areas, along with mud aps. Nobody likes stone-chips!
We’re fortunate to have some support for the Retrial. Bowden’s Own Premium Car Care provided a comprehensive car care arsenal to keep the car looking its best on the trip, while ARB Thornleigh is providing a car-fridge to ensure we keep our cool in all conditions. Plus Southern Highland Smash Repairs assisted with some preps. Hopefully we won’t need to call on then upon our return.
The Retrial is also the chance to y the ag for the Brock Commodore Owners Association of Australia, and their logo is proudly displayed on the car.
Wish us luck!