The pair used the pupular DUNLOP SP85R rally tyre on the rear, paired with the SP73R on the steer axle.

"We knew the car would have the strength, but never thought we'd have the speed to really challenge for the lead in this event," said David Officer, whose 1780cc Galant produced just 84kW at its rear wheels when the car was dynamometer tested just before the Trial. "However we drove it hard and kept the maintenance up and here we are - delighted!" he said.

Conducted from September 8-20, the 14th 'Round Australia'-style event was run in the spirit of the original 1953 REDeX Trial and attracted a diverse field of 70 pre-1986 rear-wheel drive historic rally cars and recreational four wheel drive vehicles. Their 7,600km journey took them via Mt.Isa, Normanton, Cairns, Townsville, Longreach, Birdsville, Tibooburra, Bourke and Goondiwindi, finishing at the Broadbeach Mall.

Vehicles taking part ranged in age from the 1951 Peugeot 203 of Peugeot rally stalwarts Graham Wallis and Richard Davies to the 1989 Lada Samara of fellow-Victorians Dan Murphy and Rick Hartmann, with a plethora of makes and models in between.

In second place were Victoria's Graham Alexander and navigator David Stewart in their potent 1975 Datsun 260Z

Finishing in third were the crew of Mike Batten and navigator Steuart Snooks in their 1971 Datsun P510, also on the DUNLOP rubber.

Just 27 vehicles completed the full 7,600km course with its 39 special stages, some up to 100km in length, but competitors were unanimous in voting the event "the experience of a lifetime".

For more information, go to http://redcentretogoldcoasttrial.com.au