1966 Southern Cross International Rally
The Southern Cross International Rally was organised by the Australian Sporting Car Club (ASCC), based in Sydney. The club organised the Redex Trials (1953-1955) and Ampol Trials of 1956, 1957, 1958 and 1964.
The event was conducted in early October, starting on the Thursday and taking in the weekend after the Bathurst touring car race. This started in 1966, when the Bathurst race (the Gallaher 500), attracted international drivers who competed at Bathurst in Morris Mini Cooper S cars under the BMC banner headed by Gus Staunton – Paddy Hopkirk (dnf in the race) and Rauno Aaltonen (who won the race) – to also take part in the newly introduced Southern Cross International Rally.