Toby Price has taken the world by storm after becoming the first Australian to win the Dakar Rally on the weekend but four decades earlier there was another driver from Maitland doing the endurance rounds.
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The Aberglasslyn 28-year-old wasn’t even close to being born when Ken Tubman was conquering the famous Redex Trial around Australia in 1953 and later the 1974 World Cup Rally across 11,000 miles (17,700km) of rugged terrain in Europe and Africa.
The main difference between the two international competitors was their mode of transport – Price on the two wheels of a motorcycle and Tubman on four wheels inside a car.
But both were ground-breaking achievements.
Tubman and his team were touted as the first from Australia to win an international rally of any type.
These days Ken Tubman is better known around town as the road, named in his honour, which by-passes the CBD and connects either end of High Street.
But it was his work behind the wheel that first saw the happy-go-lucky pharmacist become prominent in the city.
Sixty-three years ago the Redex Trial – a 6500 mile (10,460km) reliability race around the country – was won by Tubman and partner John Marshall in a small Peugeot 203.
Twenty-one years later, Tubman followed this up with victory for Australia in the World Cup Rally.
But despite crossing the Munich finishing line 28 hours ahead of their nearest competitor, there were moments of difficulty negotiating the snow and sand across Europe and Africa, including parts of the Sahara Desert.
“When we were lost was the most frightening part of the rally,” Tubman told a crowd of 110 people at Maitland Town Hall.
“We knew if we did this two or three times our lead would be lost.”
It was this outstanding overseas performance that saw Tubman announced as the 1974 Maitland Sportsperson of the Year.
Not only that, but upon his return home Tubman was honoured with a civic reception and Freedom of the City by then Maitland mayor Noel Unicomb.
“With your experience and background, it is most fitting that you become the winner of the World Cup Rally,” Unicomb said.
“I feel sure all Maitland is enthusiastic and would wish me to convey congratulations on your achievements.
“It is no mean thing to go overseas and represent Maitland and Australia and be an ambassador for Australia.
“We know we can always look up to you.”
Group Five Rally Panel chairman Jack Murray added that Tubman was a man Maitland could be proud of.
Andre Welinski of Sydney and Jim Rediex of Brisbane made up the remainder of the triumphant combination.