“Kermit”, regarded as Australia’s most successful Torana Tarmac Rally Car, with 19 starts and 15 class wins, was recently driven from Bairnsdale over Mount Hotham to Mansfield for the Australia Day weekend Horsepower in the High Country event.
Kermit was reunited with his previous owners, Brian and Linda Dermott, and some of the Mansfield people who helped build the Torana to CAMS and Australian Tarmac Rally regulations. Also present were previous crew members from some of the rally events. All were pleased to see the Torana again.
In 2022, the Dermotts were inducted into the Targa Tasmania Hall of Fame after competing in 15 Targa Tasmania events.
They were presented with two mounted posters featuring themselves competing in Kermit and they generously donated one of the originals to the current owner.
Ron Harrop, who had personally driven, developed and fitted many speciality parts to the Torana himself, was also present. Ron has just been awarded Australian of the Year by the Australian Performance Automotive Industry. Already a holder of Australia’s top engineering recognition, the Phil lrving Award, Ron was very surprised but also very honoured by this recognition of his life’s work.
After a very successful event, with all the proceeds going to Mansfield Autism Statewide Services to support their Operation Gamechanger expansion, Kermit returned home in perfect weather conditions.
The Torana is and was always know as “Kermit” by rally competitors and followers, due to his GMH Kermit Green paint colour.
