The hidden tree stump
The 64 'Star' again attracted all the top crews in the British National circus. Tony Fisher/Brian Melia, last year’s winners, entered in the debut for the new Vauxhall Viva though it was not to be a good night for them. Closely following Fisher away from the start at Chapel Ash were Dave Seigle-Morris in the new Ford works team Cortina GT, Reg Mcbride in an Anglia, Phil Simister in another Cortina GT, Dave Friswell/Richard Binns in a Cooper S, Bill Bengry in his Simca 1000 and Monte Carlo veteran Tiny Lewis in the Imp.
The route wound its way south of Shrewsbury and the first problems of the night were encountered over the fog-bound whites at Lythbank where two of the top teams were out of the event within fifteen minutes of the start. The problem was a hidden tree stump which badly deranged the front wheels and suspension of the leading cars including Seigle-Morris and Simister.
After this bad start the cars followed the route through mid-Wales visiting 72 time controls in the 170 miles to the finish at Llandindrod Wells where the eventual winner emerged as Reg McBride/Don Barrow (of 'Romer' fame) in their Anglia, losing only a brilliant 8 minutes. Second placers Friswell and Binns who lost 13 minutes said that McBride’s performance in muddy and foggy conditions was nothing short of exceptional. Fisher/Melia would have secured second place but for the fail awarded due to making up time in the neutral section around petrol at Tregynon where he was hurrying to fix a loose steering wheel. His protest was not upheld and this mistake dropped him to 22nd in the ratings.