Alpine Organisers’ old cars – David Gallacher

We’re really pleased to announce that David Gallacher has joined the Alpine Organisers team for 2021 as an Assistant Clerk of Course on the Road Team. Dave brings a wealth of Alpine competitive experience and some fabulous ideas to the team…

David first discovered the sport of rallying at Victorian School of Forestry in 1976 (wonder how?) and spectated on his first Alpine in 1977.

He’s done a bit of driving over the years with, in his words “no great success – but I’ve never DNF’d as a driver, working on the Bradbury principle!”

He started competing as a nav/co-driver in 1985 and has since then, filled the left hand seat for 31 drivers, in 37 different cars. Whoa!

Here’s Dave’s Alpine story, captions in his words. That’s a great Alpine track record Dave… kudos!

1987 with Laurie Weston - DNF after the Saturday with fuel pump problems. (This shot isn't from that event, but same car and crew. )

2001 - First HRA Alpine. With the late Steve Richards. Finished 12th OR (held seeding !) This same car (mostly !) is now being run by his nephew Cody. #RallyingforSteve

2003 - with Ken Cusack in the (godall) Mighty Holden Monaro. Still have nightmares about coming down off Nunniong Plateau in the dark with the lights illuminating the burnt tree trunks. Tiny brakes no match for how gravity works on a ton and a half of steel!

2007 - with Nathan Senior in the Volvo 164. Finished, but only after major lost time with tail shaft coming adrift.

2009 - with the late, great Ken Harper, in what turned out to be the last event he ever did (aged 83 I think?). Finished, only lifted the bonnet once all weekend to check the oil and water. The car never missed a beat. Never laughed so much in an event in my life. A privilege to have competed with him.

2011 - with Kim Harper. DNF upside down in a gully on Hospital Creek Road on the Sunday (a bit too much ginger, perhaps?)

2011 result - Notable for Ken Harper's comment when he arrived on the scene afterwards... "Anybody got a shovel ? We'll bury the f@#king thing here!"

2017 Alpine with Steve Marron in the fabulous Galant GTO. Retired Sat night with a seized strut (ingested water past seal). Jeez it was wet !!

2019 Alpine - dragged out of competition retirement by Aaron van Winden for one last run in the Stanza. Finished inside top 40, didn't put a mark or lay a spanner on the car all weekend. Good result to finish on, I reckon!