There were first-time winners at the 27th Planai-Classic, held in Austria from 11-13 January. Having campaigned their Volvo 121 for many years, including previous attempts at this rally, Hansi Mlcoch and Martin Laaha emerged victorious after three days, with an 873-point margin.
They had to fight for their win, however. Gerhard and Astrid Witzany (Ford Mustang) held the lead at the end of the first day after a strong start to the rally, but their challenge faded on day two and they came home 15th. Mlcoch/Laaha had the advantage for days two and three, though, with another Volvo, the 123GT of Claude and Andrea Schwegler, finishing in second place.
In the latter stages there were some changes behind the leaders. Fritz and Karin Müller (Porsche 914/6) were running third for the first two days of the event, but had slipped to fifth by the finish. This promoted Ingrid Corsmann and Thomas Voglar (Volkswagen Beetle 1302S) to third, 371 points adrift of the silver-medal position, and the NSU TT of Hubertus and Hannelore Suppan to fourth place, a further 288 points back.
Then it became a much tighter contest, with six points between Günter Schwarzbauer and Erich Hemmelmayer (Datsun 240Z), in sixth, and Richard and Niki Kaan (Alfa Romeo Giulia TI) after around 200 miles of competition.
Incredibly, all of the rallyʼs 42 starters made the finish despite the tough, wintry conditions, with the oldest car, the 1932 Austin Seven Ulster Special of Jonas and Gunter Lach, coming 39th.
Taupo hosts classic field for Tasman Revival
A golden era of motorsport began for New Zealand in 1964, with the launch of the Tasman Cup, and 60 years later the Tasman Revival on 6-7 January at Taupo International Motorsport Park, on the North Island, was a fitting celebration with a packed programme.
Grant Crosby was the class of the Touring Car Masters field and first to the flag in his Chevrolet Camaro in all three races, but Ken Lupton (Ford Mustang) wasnʼt far behind in the first.
There were two pre-ʼ65/Super Mini
