New "V8 SUPERCAR" Page. Join this Totally New Facebook Experience. 'THE GREAT RACE'.
'The Bathurst 1000' also known as 'The Great Race',
is an iconic part of Australia's Motor Racing history.
This Page will be Introducing a Brand New Concept:
'LIVE MOUNTAIN MEMORIES'
Admin will take you on a Historical Journey back in time.
While this years 'BATHURST 1000' in running, Admin will be Posting past race footage for your Enjoyment.
(short 20s clips coinciding with each lap)
■ The "Bathurst 1000" ... known amongst fans and broadcasters as "The Great Race" ... is held annually and is also an Iconic part of Australian Motor Racing history. It is widely regarded as the pinnacle of Australian motorsport. The Originally configuration a was 500 miles (800kms) race called the "Armstrong 500". The first race was held on 20 November 1960 at Phillip Island in Victoria. Two more races where held at the "Island " before moving the event to the 6.2-kilometre (3.9 mi) Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia in 1963. Still called the "Armstrong 500", till 1966/67 when it was renamed the "Gallaher 500". In 1968 the race was renamed again. The "Hardie-Ferodo 500" was born. The first years on Mount Panorama were dominated by small cars, such as the Ford Cortina GT 500 and Mini Cooper. Later Ford's development and introduction of the 289 cubic inch V8 Ford Falcon GT signaled the end of these small cars as outright contenders.
■ 1968 - Holden entered the all new Monaro GTS, a high-performance two-door, V8 coupe'. The Bathurst-bound Monaro GTS 327 had a Chevrolet-sourced V8 (as the 'GTS 327' name implies) which outperform the smaller engined 302 ci Falcon GTs, and in the process the Monaro claimed a popular maiden victory on its debut as well as Holden's first ever Bathurst win.
■ 1969 saw the first of the three Ford Falcon GT-HO's. The Phase One GT-HO Bathurst special Falcon was powered with a 351 cubic inch V8 and with its 'HO' option included (upgraded suspension and handling including front/rear stabiliser bars and special race tyres). Holden on the other hand upgraded the GTS 327 Monaro to the GTS 350, and at the hands of Colin Bond, was once again able to hold out Ford to claim another famous victory for Holden. This was also the debut year for Peter Brock.
■ 1970 saw Holden retire the well-proven Monaro for the Torana GTR XU-1. With triple carburetors and excellent power-to-weight ratio, the new Torana XU-1 was designed to be easier on brakes, tyres and fuel to enable it to minimise its required pit stops, yet mighty Torana just could not compensate for the major power advantage that the Phase Two's had on the Bathurst straights. Allan Moffat was the victor.
■ 1971 was a repeat Ford victory. The XY-model Falcon GT-HO Phase Three, now with further upgrades to engine power and aerodynamics, proved itself to be the world’s fastest four-door production car.
■ 1972 was the first of Peter Brock's nine Bathurst wins, which would enable him to become the “King of the Mountain” and become known as “Peter Perfect”. It also signalled the first Bathurst victory for a six-cylinder engined car, an achievement that would not be repeated until the maiden win of the Nissan Skyline GT-R ‘Godzilla’ much later in 1991. Finally, it also began the Torana legend which would enable this innovative and unique muscle car to become one of Australia’s most successful touring cars ever.
■ 1973 was an important year for "The Great Race", now called the "Hardie-Ferodo 1000". The race was lengthened to a gruelling 1000 kilometres (620 miles), as Australia shifted towards the adoption of the metric system. There was also a crutial new rule was implemented, allowing modifications to be made to the cars, which meant that the Series Production racing category became replaced by the new Group C category. Holden made the most of the new Group C rules. With their new 308 cubic inch V8-powered Torana, took Bathurst victory another four times in 1975-76, and 1978–79.
■ 1977 was the year of the famous 1-2 form finish by the 351 V8-powered Falcon GTs.
■ 1978 was the first year of Hardies Heroes. Known now as the Top Ten Shootout.
■ 1980 saw a name change ... the "James Hardie 1000" was born. During the 1980s the Group C category was dominated by Peter Brock, having scored victories in 1980/82/83/84. Group C would soon be replaced by the new International Group A Touring car rules in 1985. Till then, Holden and Ford dominated the Great race and shared victories between them. However, both Australian manufacturers were facing increased foreign competition, notably from the new Mazda RX-7, V8 powered Chevrolet Camaro and The turbo powered Nissan Bluebird. Peter Brock would prove to be the ace of the Group C era, by having achieved an incredible two Bathurst hat-tricks (three consecutive Bathurst wins twice) while at the wheel of both the Holden Torana and soon-to-be-released all new Commodore, in 1978/79/80 and again in 1982/83/84. The 1985 race was dominated by Tom Walkinshaw Racing's V12 Jaguar XJ-S, with John Goss and Armin Hahne claiming Jaguar's first and only Bathurst win.
■ Dick Johnson was the only winner for Ford during the 1980s Group C era, with a victory in 1981 whilst at the wheel of the all-new XD-model Falcon.
■ From 1985 to 1992, the Great Race was run under international Group A touring car rules. Imported turbocharged cars, most notably Ford Sierra RS Cosworths and Nissan Skyline GT-R, dominated the racing during this period, with the Holden Commodore managing to claim three wins during this era.
■ In 1986, Sydney accountant and privateer entrant Mike Burgmann became the first fatality in the race's history when his car (Holden VK Commodore), travelling at 268 km/h (167 mph), struck the tyre barrier at the base of recently constructed Bridgestone Bridge on the high-speed straight known as Conrod Straight. "The Chase", a large three-corner chicane, added in 1987 to the straight was dedicated to Burgmann with a plaque embedded in the concrete barriers.
■ In 1987, the race was a round of the short-lived World Touring Car Championship, although the Eggenberger's Ford Sierra's finished first and second, they were to be disqualified months later due to bodywork irregularities. The race win was eventually awarded to third-placed Peter Brock. Local Sierra teams dominated and won the next two Bathurst 1000s, in 1988 and 1989. In 1990 the HRT Holden Commodore of Allan Grice and Win Percy was the winning car. The R32 GT-R Skyline went on to win both the 1991 and 1992 races and dominated Group A racing worldwide, earning its nickname 'Godzilla'. With four-wheel-drive, four-wheel-steer, and a powerful turbo 2.6 litre six cylinder engine producing almost 600 horsepower (450 kW), the RWD Sierras and Commodores simply could not equal or compensate for the Skyline's superior handling and power output.
■ 1993 was not a good year for Australian motorsport. In 1993 Australia would go their own way (instead of using FISA's new set of touring car regulations), A new set of touring car regulations would be created, that would later be renamed to V8 Supercar, with entry limited to only V8-powered Ford Falcons and Holden Commodores (with one exception for 1993 only; weight limited normally aspirated Group A cars like the BMW M3 run by the works BMW team run by Tony Longhurst and Frank Gardner. The new set of regulations also featured a second class for 2-litre cars, based on the BTCC's regulations of the time. This class banned turbocharging along with four-wheel-drive, and effectively banned Nissan's GT-R from competition. Almost immediately, Nissan pulled out of Australian motorsport.
■ In 1994, the 2-litre Super Touring championship split off from the ATCC, though these cars ran at Bathurst that year alongside the V8s, with a top placing of 10th outright for the works BMW of Paul Morris/Altfrid Heger.
■ In 1995, however, due to fears about the speed differences between the V8s and the 2 litre cars, the Bathurst 1000 for the first time in its history became a one-class race, with just 32 Ford and Holden V8s facing the starter in what was at the time the smallest grid in the history of the race. This format continued in 1996.
■ In 1997, AVESCO announced that V8 Supercars would not be competing in the traditional Bathurst 1000 held on the October long weekend, leaving the organisers without an entry field for the 1997 race. TOCA Australia filled the void with a 2-litre Super Touring field, featuring a number of British Touring Car Championship drivers including Alain Menu, John Cleland and Rickard Rydell. In 1997 and 1998, the "Australian 1000 Classic" was run for V8Supercars. The 1997 edition was called the "Primus 1000 Classic" and held two weeks after the traditional race, whilst the 1998 "FAI 1000 Classic" was held in mid-November.
■ Both races claimed to be the legitimate Bathurst 1000: the V8 Supercars' case was that they were the only truly Australian class of racing and the more popular of the two, while the Super Touring race was the official "Bathurst 1000" and was held on the traditional date of the first Sunday in October.
■ The fans voted with their feet and, due to a reducing number of competitors and spectators, the Super Touring class disappeared from Bathurst competition in 1999 and the race became exclusively for V8 Supercars. Now the V8 Supercars use it as a round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series.
■ Since 2006 the race winners have received the Peter Brock Trophy, which was introduced in honour of deceased nine-time Bathurst winner Peter Brock (most successful driver in the history of the race).
■ The "Bathurst 1000" ... known amongst fans and broadcasters as "The Great Race" ... is held annually and is also an Iconic part of Australian Motor Racing history. It is widely regarded as the pinnacle of Australian motorsport. The Originally configuration a was 500 miles (800kms) race called the "Armstrong 500". The first race was held on 20 November 1960 at Phillip Island in Victoria. Two more races where held at the "Island " before moving the event to the 6.2-kilometre (3.9 mi) Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia in 1963. Still called the "Armstrong 500", till 1966/67 when it was renamed the "Gallaher 500". In 1968 the race was renamed again. The "Hardie-Ferodo 500" was born. The first years on Mount Panorama were dominated by small cars, such as the Ford Cortina GT 500 and Mini Cooper. Later Ford's development and introduction of the 289 cubic inch V8 Ford Falcon GT signaled the end of these small cars as outright contenders.
■ 1968 - Holden entered the all new Monaro GTS, a high-performance two-door, V8 coupe'. The Bathurst-bound Monaro GTS 327 had a Chevrolet-sourced V8 (as the 'GTS 327' name implies) which outperform the smaller engined 302 ci Falcon GTs, and in the process the Monaro claimed a popular maiden victory on its debut as well as Holden's first ever Bathurst win.
■ 1969 saw the first of the three Ford Falcon GT-HO's. The Phase One GT-HO Bathurst special Falcon was powered with a 351 cubic inch V8 and with its 'HO' option included (upgraded suspension and handling including front/rear stabiliser bars and special race tyres). Holden on the other hand upgraded the GTS 327 Monaro to the GTS 350, and at the hands of Colin Bond, was once again able to hold out Ford to claim another famous victory for Holden. This was also the debut year for Peter Brock.
■ 1970 saw Holden retire the well-proven Monaro for the Torana GTR XU-1. With triple carburetors and excellent power-to-weight ratio, the new Torana XU-1 was designed to be easier on brakes, tyres and fuel to enable it to minimise its required pit stops, yet mighty Torana just could not compensate for the major power advantage that the Phase Two's had on the Bathurst straights. Allan Moffat was the victor.
■ 1971 was a repeat Ford victory. The XY-model Falcon GT-HO Phase Three, now with further upgrades to engine power and aerodynamics, proved itself to be the world’s fastest four-door production car.
■ 1972 was the first of Peter Brock's nine Bathurst wins, which would enable him to become the “King of the Mountain” and become known as “Peter Perfect”. It also signalled the first Bathurst victory for a six-cylinder engined car, an achievement that would not be repeated until the maiden win of the Nissan Skyline GT-R ‘Godzilla’ much later in 1991. Finally, it also began the Torana legend which would enable this innovative and unique muscle car to become one of Australia’s most successful touring cars ever.
■ 1973 was an important year for "The Great Race", now called the "Hardie-Ferodo 1000". The race was lengthened to a gruelling 1000 kilometres (620 miles), as Australia shifted towards the adoption of the metric system. There was also a crutial new rule was implemented, allowing modifications to be made to the cars, which meant that the Series Production racing category became replaced by the new Group C category. Holden made the most of the new Group C rules. With their new 308 cubic inch V8-powered Torana, took Bathurst victory another four times in 1975-76, and 1978–79.
■ 1977 was the year of the famous 1-2 form finish by the 351 V8-powered Falcon GTs.
■ 1978 was the first year of Hardies Heroes. Known now as the Top Ten Shootout.
■ 1980 saw a name change ... the "James Hardie 1000" was born. During the 1980s the Group C category was dominated by Peter Brock, having scored victories in 1980/82/83/84. Group C would soon be replaced by the new International Group A Touring car rules in 1985. Till then, Holden and Ford dominated the Great race and shared victories between them. However, both Australian manufacturers were facing increased foreign competition, notably from the new Mazda RX-7, V8 powered Chevrolet Camaro and The turbo powered Nissan Bluebird. Peter Brock would prove to be the ace of the Group C era, by having achieved an incredible two Bathurst hat-tricks (three consecutive Bathurst wins twice) while at the wheel of both the Holden Torana and soon-to-be-released all new Commodore, in 1978/79/80 and again in 1982/83/84. The 1985 race was dominated by Tom Walkinshaw Racing's V12 Jaguar XJ-S, with John Goss and Armin Hahne claiming Jaguar's first and only Bathurst win.
■ Dick Johnson was the only winner for Ford during the 1980s Group C era, with a victory in 1981 whilst at the wheel of the all-new XD-model Falcon.
■ From 1985 to 1992, the Great Race was run under international Group A touring car rules. Imported turbocharged cars, most notably Ford Sierra RS Cosworths and Nissan Skyline GT-R, dominated the racing during this period, with the Holden Commodore managing to claim three wins during this era.
■ In 1986, Sydney accountant and privateer entrant Mike Burgmann became the first fatality in the race's history when his car (Holden VK Commodore), travelling at 268 km/h (167 mph), struck the tyre barrier at the base of recently constructed Bridgestone Bridge on the high-speed straight known as Conrod Straight. "The Chase", a large three-corner chicane, added in 1987 to the straight was dedicated to Burgmann with a plaque embedded in the concrete barriers.
■ In 1987, the race was a round of the short-lived World Touring Car Championship, although the Eggenberger's Ford Sierra's finished first and second, they were to be disqualified months later due to bodywork irregularities. The race win was eventually awarded to third-placed Peter Brock. Local Sierra teams dominated and won the next two Bathurst 1000s, in 1988 and 1989. In 1990 the HRT Holden Commodore of Allan Grice and Win Percy was the winning car. The R32 GT-R Skyline went on to win both the 1991 and 1992 races and dominated Group A racing worldwide, earning its nickname 'Godzilla'. With four-wheel-drive, four-wheel-steer, and a powerful turbo 2.6 litre six cylinder engine producing almost 600 horsepower (450 kW), the RWD Sierras and Commodores simply could not equal or compensate for the Skyline's superior handling and power output.
■ 1993 was not a good year for Australian motorsport. In 1993 Australia would go their own way (instead of using FISA's new set of touring car regulations), A new set of touring car regulations would be created, that would later be renamed to V8 Supercar, with entry limited to only V8-powered Ford Falcons and Holden Commodores (with one exception for 1993 only; weight limited normally aspirated Group A cars like the BMW M3 run by the works BMW team run by Tony Longhurst and Frank Gardner. The new set of regulations also featured a second class for 2-litre cars, based on the BTCC's regulations of the time. This class banned turbocharging along with four-wheel-drive, and effectively banned Nissan's GT-R from competition. Almost immediately, Nissan pulled out of Australian motorsport.
■ In 1994, the 2-litre Super Touring championship split off from the ATCC, though these cars ran at Bathurst that year alongside the V8s, with a top placing of 10th outright for the works BMW of Paul Morris/Altfrid Heger.
■ In 1995, however, due to fears about the speed differences between the V8s and the 2 litre cars, the Bathurst 1000 for the first time in its history became a one-class race, with just 32 Ford and Holden V8s facing the starter in what was at the time the smallest grid in the history of the race. This format continued in 1996.
■ In 1997, AVESCO announced that V8 Supercars would not be competing in the traditional Bathurst 1000 held on the October long weekend, leaving the organisers without an entry field for the 1997 race. TOCA Australia filled the void with a 2-litre Super Touring field, featuring a number of British Touring Car Championship drivers including Alain Menu, John Cleland and Rickard Rydell. In 1997 and 1998, the "Australian 1000 Classic" was run for V8Supercars. The 1997 edition was called the "Primus 1000 Classic" and held two weeks after the traditional race, whilst the 1998 "FAI 1000 Classic" was held in mid-November.
■ Both races claimed to be the legitimate Bathurst 1000: the V8 Supercars' case was that they were the only truly Australian class of racing and the more popular of the two, while the Super Touring race was the official "Bathurst 1000" and was held on the traditional date of the first Sunday in October.
■ The fans voted with their feet and, due to a reducing number of competitors and spectators, the Super Touring class disappeared from Bathurst competition in 1999 and the race became exclusively for V8 Supercars. Now the V8 Supercars use it as a round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series.
■ Since 2006 the race winners have received the Peter Brock Trophy, which was introduced in honour of deceased nine-time Bathurst winner Peter Brock (most successful driver in the history of the race).
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