The crack which appeared in Lancia's armour during the 1000 Lakes Rally was exploited to the full by rampaging Japanese Toyotas during this fast and-furious 4-day Australian round of the World Championship series. This tenth round gave the million or so residents of Perth their first opportunity to enjoy the spectacle of real, world class rallying and, despite heavy rain, a sizeable crowd of enthusiastic sightseers packed the soaking wet trotting track in Fremantle to enjoy a pre-rally show-time stage.

The world's best were there to show the Aussies how it's done but it soon became apparent to the stars of the show, Juha Kankkunen, Kenneth Ericsson, Ingvar Carlsson, Markku Alen, Jorge Recalde and others of that ilk, that it was not going to be a breeze. Confident smiles became somewhat strained when they examined the road surfaces of the lengthy forest stages which offered nightmares ahead for even the most experienced drivers. They consisted mainly of smallish, smooth rounded pebbles which when generously lubricated by regular downpours of spring rain, offered little if any traction. As driver Malcolm Wllson said after a particularly hair-raising run, "It's like driving on well oiled ball-bearings!"

Almost from the word 'Go!' the Toyotas of Kankkunen and Ericsson became a threat to the Lancias and by Sunday morning it was panic stations in the Italian camp. Lancia, at last, increased the boost on Alen's car which had the opposite effect to what the Italians had hoped for. Alex Fiorlo hit a new high by inadvertently achieving lift-off when he struck a natural launch pad lurking in a dried up mud-hole. Moments later he made a spectacular one-point landing, nose-first, smashing his spotlights and steering but it wasn't bad news all the way and you will find many light moments in this thrill packed recording of a 'fair dinkum' event.