The London-Sydney Marathon 2000 was the race of titans. Three of the great names of world rallying - Stig Blomqvist, Hannu Mikkola and Michele Mouton - ran at a fast and furious pace over 58 special stages during the 32 days across 14 countries.

It was Blomqvist in a lusty V8-engine Ford Capri Perana co-driven by Australian Ben Rainsford who emerged the winner.

Michele Mouton, the only woman ever to have won a world championhip rally, scooped second place co-driven by Francis Tuthill in his Porsche 911, the same car in which he won the 1993 London-Sydney. She was just 5 minutes and 26 seconds behind the 1984 World Champion Blomqvist.

In third place, the only man to get amongst the world stars were Australians Rick Bates and Jenny Brittan in their Porsche 911, the same car in which they won the 1997 Panama-Alaska Rally.

Mikkola the World Champion of 1983 drove his Ford Escort like Gods messenger winning 21 of the 58 stages, but fell victim to the fragility of the car and a ten minute penalty for an infringement of the Regulations. He has lost none of his legendary speed and flair despite his 58 years as the drivers of five cars will testify when they were spectacularly overtaken on the events longest (80 Km) stage. He finished in 27th place but had the satisfaction of winning the Premiers Trophies for Fastest Across both New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. He was co-driven by his 19-year old son Juha.

Such was the pace of the leaders that fourth place men Australians Simon Lingford and David Moir (Datsun 240Z) were a full hour behind the leader while just 9 minutes and 44 secs covered the first three places.

Only three drivers distinguished themselves by leading the rally - Blomqvist, Mikkola and Bates.

Of the 95 London starters from 16 countries 78 were classifed as finishers as they crossed the line in front of the worlds most famous Opera House in Sydney.

In 32 days and 16,800 kms with 1,358 kms of racing over the demanding stages, accidents and mechanical failures claimed only 16 cars. Over half the stages, and three quarters of the racing distance were on gravel roads.

THE TOURING CHALLENGE

Running as an event within an event the Touring Challenge was for modern 4wd vehicles and attracted 31 cars from nine countries.

They followed the same route, one day behind the main event, and instead of racing at speed over the stages they ran demanding regularity sections in which they were required to cover the distance, at a brisk pace, at a set average speed.

The father and son duo of Stefan and Dirk Schneider took victory in their Toyota Landcruiser challenged all the way by the American pair of Timothy Errington and Donna Singmeister in their Nissan Pathfinder.

The British team of Mark Bowie and Peter Swire in their Vauxhall Frontera were third.

Event Director, Nick Brittan, summed up the Marathon, " To finish a tough and demanding event like this is a major achievement, to finish in the top 10 is something to be exceptionally proud of and to win earns the victor a place in motor sport history."

"That so many cars finished is a testimony to the very high standards of preparation of the cars and the skills of the drivers in keeping them pointing in the right direction."

"Not only did we achieve a very high finishing record but we ran what must be the safest Marathon ever. We had two accidents with people injured - one of our officials broke a leg loading the cars in the huge Russian Antonov cargo planes, and the other was a Dutch competitor who broke an arm falling from the baggage truck."

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