The book details his journey recreating the epic 1956 Ampol reliability trial  Mr Summerill  had the pleasure of doing with former motorsport legends Allen Taylor and Cole Hanley. 

“I was lucky enough to do the journey with Allen Taylor who won the 1956 Ampol trial outright,” Mr Summerill said. 

“He’s a lovely old man and he was happy to just sit in the back seat and enjoy the ride. 

“He was something of a celebrity during this trip and so it was a real buzz for him and everyone who got to meet him.” 

Reliability trials started in 1953 when Redex, and later Ampol, wanted to promote their products in Australia. The events were spectacular and Mr Summerill’s recreation details the glory days of the country motorsport.

“These events were the biggest thing to happen since the Snowy River men marched,” he said. 

“Up to 250,000 people would turn out on highways to see the cars.” 

Summerill, 76, is humble about his second publication but has plans for a third soon and his new book is a car-lovers must read. 

“I’ve had some help putting this book together from my sister,” he said. 

“I’ve never been a scholar and my mother was always getting mad at me for that but I’ve been told it’s a good read.” 

Summerill’s book is available from the Bombala Post Office.