Best Bathurst Finish ever?

How about it? There have been a few corkers over the years....which one is your favourite??

Here's a few starters:

1976- Morris/Fitzpatrick
1995- Larry/Russ
1998- Jim Richards/Rickard Rydell?
2000- Garth/Bargs?

What about the battle between Lowndes and Bowe

Have to agree with that MtP, those last 20 laps were brilliant.

1977 was pretty exciting, right down to the last metre's. Seriously, i reckon 98 because they were close all day, and 1994 because lowdnes took everyone by surprise. Also, i heard that Morris/Fitzpatrick didn't actually win the '76 race, that the lap scorer's got it wrong but it couldn't be properly proved and that Morris completed one lap less than the Bond/Harvey MHDT Torana.

How about the 1967 finish when Firth/Gibson won, but there was drama with the lap scoring, and for a while there it looked like the Geoghegan's had won...

How could I forget 94?

What about 93? The Winfield boys chasing Larry and Gregg all the way home.

Even the Goss/KB win- I don't think too many people would have seen it coming, even with the rain, and and altercation with a bank they managed to bring it home.

And then there was 77...how the bloody hell did I miss that one :)

Then there was the not so close Brock/Richards victory of 79...do you think anyone else will ever win by 6 laps again??

It would have probably happened last year if the Bathurst 1000 last year, Morris could have done it, but only if 7 were tight a,r,se's again and didn't bring over European competition.

Probably not to that extent, but probably soon, its been ten years since someone won by a lap or more ( those stupid safety cars ). It sort of happened in 87, the two Texaco Eggenberger Sierra's were 3 and two laps up on the Brock Commodore at the end, before they were DSQ'd . Why was carter DSQ'd as well.

Not entirely sure- electronics?

As I've only been watching Bathurst races for just over a decade, '94 gets my vote. What about '91 (I think), when it started chucking rain down and all of the cars started falling off the track, including Skaife and Richards' Skyline, only for them to be given the race win? The best finish was Jimmy telling the crowd they were a "pack of @rseholes." It was funny.

I reckon 1987 was the year. Peter Brock had everyone baging him all year drove in the wet in the last 20 or 30 laps like no one had before. As a young bloke watching his first Bathurst I have to say it was the reason I got involved in motor racing.

mac, that was 1992.

I'm not sure what could be called the best finish. There are a number of different criteria. For instance, you could say Brock/Richards winning by 6 laps, including the fastest lap of the race on the last lap. Or 1992 as one of the most memorable, though not for very many good reasons. Then 1998 for a great race all day long between the Nissan and the Volvo. 1994, as mentioned previously. 1993 was very good as well. 1987, 1985 (sorry, but I love those Jags), 1981, 1977, etc. And they are the ones I know about...I'm not so certain on too many of the older races.

what about 1973, when Brock was gonna win but chivas ran out of fuel and had to push it back to the pits. My personal favourite would have to be Brocks last laps of the 87 race as well, i was only about 4 and its the first memory i have of motorsport.

Yeah, poor old Doug Chivas pushing it up pit lane, wasn't that the year of the Moffat spin and win?

Bathurst 87...."oh, Peter Brock is definately in control, dry tyres are the obvious choice for these conditions"...

Seeing the Commodore take some horrendous abuse from Brabham in the BMW was great to see.. :)

Re: Murray Carter in 1987- his rear tyres were too wide, 262.8mm against 254mm that was allowed (under somebody's rules...).

I have no doubts about the Morris/Fitzpatrick win, it was indeed theirs. No lapscoring errors at all..

The Goss/Bartlett win was a close-run thing, very close with them and Forbes/Negus Torana, rank outsiders until the race sorted itself out. Forbes was keen to win, but not keen to see the car off the circuit in the rain... They finished on the same lap despite a last minute pit stop.

Chivas should never have had to push the car in 1973, by the way. He came round Hell far too slow and cut in tight, killing what speed he had, otherwise he could have coasted straight into the pits and Brock would have racked up ten wins. As it was, I think Brock drove the last lap on a flat rear tyre...

Upshot of this is that three years later Brock was having problems with the fuel pickup bent and not getting the last ten gallons or so. He stopped on Conrod because of it to see if he could do anything, because he didn't realise how silly Chivas had actually been. He got bogged as a result, but got going, coasted down the straight and straight into the pits... maybe win number eleven gone west!

Nobody could call 1977 close. Brock had trouble with tyres fouling, so Bond and Moffat romped away, but Bond could have demolished Moffat at any time in the closing laps, the lead car having no brakes left...

As for flying laps driven, does anyone remember the Brock effort of 1985... after the screen was broken?

the 85 finish was pretty exciting, with goss slowing and brock flying. do you think brock would have caught him if he hadn't broken down

As a Ford fan and Moffat supporter 1977. Sure it was not close and Bond could have won but thems the breaks. I spent too many disapointed Bathursts watching a Holden win to not savour the victories by the blue light.

In the same vein, Goss in '74 in the wet. You have to love Gossie.

In a never-to-be-repeated slip into humility, Goss actually credited the recently-reparied KB with all the kudos for pulling the car through the wettest period of the race. Maybe Kevin was just conscious of the damage he might do to his plastic hip if he crashed...

As for '85, yes, I do. The Jag had that broken seat, remember, while Brock was pulling stunning times until the flawed timing chain let go... it was certainly looking good.

It's amazing how each race on the mount has had its moments.

70 - Bond under Moffat at Murray on the first lap had us roaring ourselves hoarse. We knew it wouldn't last but what a moment.

71 - the beer carton attaching itself to the front on Moff's Falcon. It was something to see, most of the spectators wishing that Ford would cook.

72 - Brock's first. HDT fans coped an early setback with Bondy rolling then Brock hounding Moffat in slippery conditions until the Falcon spun. Two one-minute penalties later for Moff and one for Brock. There was some tension in the air that year.

73 - Chivas struggle into the pits. As I recall I think that happened in the first half of the race, and the rumours floating around at tehe time suggested the winning Falcon's engine was on its last legs.

74 - the smoking L34s. Seeming unstoppable the HDT jugganaut was four laps in front at Lap 100. Then Brock out and Bondy had a long stop ahead.

75 - Brock's second win, and first after going it alone. A highlight for me was the fight between Bond and Moffat for pole on the Saturday afternoon. The top of the mountain was almost deserted when Bond pulled a desparate, on the grass at Reid Park (where he rolled a couple of years earlier) in avoidance of a wayward Datsun.

76 - I never had any doubts on the Morris/Fitzpatrick win. Certainly the place was on edge as the Torana obviously had problems and the MHDT car was catching it.

77 - Would have been interesting if Bond had of passed Moffat although he never would. His car was certainly not up to the spec of the team boss' one.

78 - From hero (in 77) to zero for the Moffat Ford Dealers team. Brock back in the family fold and a winner.

79 - Brock and Richard also led every lap of this race, despite pitstops.

80 - An early shunt didn't stop a trifecta. It was amazing in one instance. Brock pitted after hitting the Gemini. There is water pouring out of the front of the Commodore but nobody lifts the bonnet to check for radiator damage. They go onto win after Johnson's rock incident.

81 - The first shortened race. I had only left McPhilliamy Park a matter of a couple of laps before the crash. The early laps of that race were definitely memory lasting with Bartlett, Johnson and Brock fighting for the lead.

82 - 84 - The last three years of the "big bangers" and a trifecta for Brock/Perkins. These years showed up Grice as a worthy challenger in an era where the event was turning the corner in professionalism.

85 - The first year of Group A and one where the home grown product nearly beat the Europeans at a game they had been playing for years. If only those Holdens had double-row timing chains.

86 - Taking on the might of Rover, BMW and Volvo in Europe set the scene for Grice with Chicken Man Baily to win. In a conservation once with Brock once, he reckons 86 of all the years he was expected to win, was the one he should have.

87 - Those eggbeater Sierras were fast, all three of them, and the Bimmers. Another who was good in the wet was that Datsun driver Glenn Seton.

88 - 89 - They finally got those Sierras on the top podium spot. But it was the locals Longhurst/Mezera and Johnson/Bowe.

90 - 92 - Grice finally gets one along with Percy, a Pom but a good bloke. But in the background was that steriod-injected Datsun which was in a class of its own the next two times despite, weight, turbo and weather restrictions.

94 - onwards - All good and the highlights have been previously mentioned by others.

Originally posted by White Knight
It's amazing how each race on the mount has had its moments.
73 - Chivas struggle into the pits. As I recall I think that happened in the first half of the race, and the rumours floating around at tehe time suggested the winning Falcon's engine was on its last legs.

Brock had been in first, then Chivas was given the signal "get max laps" - it was about two thirds distance or so, they were going for two stops, I think was the story. Anyway, it was well after half distance.

Originally posted by White Knight
74 - the smoking L34s. Seeming unstoppable the HDT jugganaut was four laps in front at Lap 100. Then Brock out and Bondy had a long stop ahead.

Didn't the lead get out to six laps at one time? And they still don't know what put Brock's car out, other than it detonated. Big story, this one, it cost Brock his job...

Originally posted by White Knight
75 - Brock's second win, and first after going it alone. A highlight for me was the fight between Bond and Moffat for pole on the Saturday afternoon. The top of the mountain was almost deserted when Bond pulled a desparate, on the grass at Reid Park (where he rolled a couple of years earlier) in avoidance of a wayward Datsun.

That must have been something to see, Bondy was still in his prime and he must have been desperate to do that. Also well aware of keeping his public place with Brock on his own.

The best? 1979 with the late great Peter Brock with 6 laps ahead and going flat out and sideways at certian corners, tradional Brock but the great man looking like he was doing a ordinary Sunday drive.

you weren't even alive

surely watching a 6 lap win would be the most boring finish ever

half the crowd had probably gone home

I reckon 98 had a great finish although it wasn't the duel for the win so much as Larry/Rusty desperately holding off the Bargs/Jim Richards Valvoline car for second...

They had a great dice that lasted right to the flag.

I'd have to say 2003, with Murph absolutely flogging them after dominating all weekend.

you weren't even alive


Why does one have to be alive to have an opinion on the race?

98 sticks in the mind the weekend long duel coming down to 2.8secs and one backmarker.

Also the 97 race shouldnt be forgotten, with the Brabham sitting in the wall at the cutting before going on to win the race.

I wasn't alive for it but having seen the 1979 race in full i can say that the '6 lap win' was not as boring as it seems.

There was a light shower which sent some scurrying, and there was even a point mid-race where the second placed Grice/Costanzo Torana (Grice driving) was catching the Brock/Richards Torana (Richards driving) at a few seconds a lap, i think the gap got down to around 30 seconds from memory......

But in the context of the thread the 1979 race was certainly not a 'Best Bathurst Finish Ever"


The best finishes would i'd say be between the 1998 AMP 1000, and the 2000 FAI 1000.


Probably the best finish we never had was the 1981 race. (1992 on paper had promise, but had it continued it's likely the #2 Nissan would have walked away)

1993 was probably the best for me. The Nashville Network in the USA had a 10 minute highlight package on the race and seeing that sparked my interest in bathurst and australian motorsport and therefore changed the path of my life. And what a good race it was.

1994 I think was pretty good. Bowe vs. lowndes with perkins caning the commodore in a race to catch them.

i rate 1994 as my fav.

The crowds going who is this kid who dares to challenge.

then the pass (hey murph did you notice JB didnt put him in the wall and that meant he could go past latter and win)

then the repass

the tension was certainly there, still sandown 2006 was a better finish

It's amazing how each race on the mount has had its moments.
73 - Chivas struggle into the pits. As I recall I think that happened in the first half of the race, and the rumours floating around at tehe time suggested the winning Falcon's engine was on its last legs.

also rumored that Chivas tried to clutch start it which did a lotmore harm than good.

in hindsight, why didnt somone suggest he try and crank it along on the starter motor? must have been faster than pushing!

74 - the smoking L34s. Seeming unstoppable the HDT jugganaut was four laps in front at Lap 100. Then Brock out and Bondy had a long stop ahead.

according to my old man who was around HDT that year apparantly they told brock to ease off as they were so far in front. this caused a lean out on one of the carbies causing the detonation. he could be wrong though

either that or the failure of the " were not using it " alledged dry sump system.

Chivas should never have had to push the car in 1973, by the way. He came round Hell far too slow and cut in tight, killing what speed he had, otherwise he could have coasted straight into the pits and Brock would have racked up ten wins. As it was, I think Brock drove the last lap on a flat rear tyre...

Upshot of this is that three years later Brock was having problems with the fuel pickup bent and not getting the last ten gallons or so. He stopped on Conrod because of it to see if he could do anything, because he didn't realise how silly Chivas had actually been. He got bogged as a result, but got going, coasted down the straight and straight into the pits... maybe win number eleven gone west!
Ray, I don't know what your issue with Doug Chivas is, but as I was a friend of his from 1965 until his death this year, I'll add my 2c worth.

I crewed for Doug at numerous Bathursts with a variety of cars. Minis, Capri, E38 and E49 Chargers, L34 Torana, etc. In '73, I wasn't part of the HDT crew, but I was there. I don't know why Harry decided to go for 'max. laps' when he did. The two XU1s were set to run different strategies. The Brock/Chivas car was running Weber carbs and was set to be the 'hare', while the Bond/Geoghegan car ran (I think) SUs, and was set to do one less pit stop with its better fuel consumption. No two-way radios, so the only communication was via pit boards. Doug was given the 'get max laps' sign when the thing had already coughed a few times, sucking air. He decided to go for another two laps, rather than pull in on the first opportunity after being shown that sign. Sure enough, the engine stopped coming through McPhillamy. That's a long way to roll a car on fat slick tyres back to the pits, particularly getting through Forrests Elbow. He started the car a few times down Conrod (on the ignition, foot on clutch), but as soon as he engaged the clutch, it cut out. He tried a few wiggles to slop any remaining fuel around, hopefully to get it to crank just enough to do the uphill to the pits, but no luck. I don't know about driving it on the starter motor. I doubt it would have worked in a standard Torana, let alone one with the compression the HDT XU1s were running.

Yes, he came around Hell too slow, but he'd been rolling it along from the top of the mountain. Maybe he was silly, and with over thirty years of hindsight, I'm sure you could have done better.

As a Ford fan and Moffat supporter 1977. Sure it was not close and Bond could have won but thems the breaks. I spent too many disapointed Bathursts watching a Holden win to not savour the victories by the blue light.

In the same vein, Goss in '74 in the wet. You have to love Gossie.


Wow, dredged up from the archives of those who no longer post here...

I stick by assertion of many years ago. The Great Man Commeth (is that one m or two?).

By the way it's no use asking Ray, he had issues with the whole human race, he subsequently left the building.

I love 1979 after watching the ful replay(as i was born some years later) i said "this is boring a six lap win" and then "THE KING OF THR MOUNTAIN" set the fastest time on the last lap great to see he was still pushing even though he could of drove home just crusing.

and i loved the controversial win in 1982 when they cross entered the cars.gota love a bit of controversy.and brock also did it at sandown when harvey come into the pits and brock just jumped in the car and drove off and the stewards called them up and said the are going to have to disqualify them and they got the stewrds to hold off the disqualification until the end of the race as brocky loved driving the didnt want to have to make him stop.

and the falcon 1 - 2 finish.

and when skaife won with the plastic bags stck in the front spliter and everyone thought the commodore was going to over heat.that thing must of just made it home.

to many i've watched replays of and seen live to many to choose from but these are my favourites.

and i liked 2003 when Murph brained them.

AM, I know. BTW, I got it wrong too. I said 'Hell' when I meant 'Murrays' :banghead:.

I'd back Doug's experience and ability back then to nurse race or rally cars to good results against most drivers of the era. Sorry 'bout the rant.

Back on 'Best Bathurst Finishes' - running back over the past forty years reminds me of the two worst Bathurst finishes. 1981 and 1992. Something very deflating and unfinished the way they both ended. Dick Johnson must have mixed feelings about both of them. One handed him a win that wasn't expected, and the other took away a win that he deserved.

Sorta cancels itself out doesn't it? :p


I think '95 was a brilliant race. I mean come on, Larry and Russell drove that car to the absolute maximum for six hours straight and no component showed a single sign of failing (not even the brake pads- :woot:). They put it through and beyond its paces and it delivered them. I remember watching the final laps cheering Larry on, and then when Seton retired... I just went nuts!

Although I have to say hard luck to Seto, he deserved that win.

I agree, 1995 was brilliant because Larry and Russ just smashed every one. Their car could last 6 and a half hours and abuse, whereas neither HRT car lasted 30 laps! for example.

1985 was good with the Jag comming in ahead of the BMW but one of the best would have to be 1992.

1985 was good with the Jag comming in ahead of the BMW but one of the best would have to be 1992.

I think '85 will be remembered as the one that got away from Brock, but he seemed to have a lot of them...

For me
1977 for the 1-2. Ok, not the most exciting, but the TV footage from the chopper above Conrod on the last lap sticks in the mind forever.

1989 First time actually at the mountain. Dick won, although he did worry us for a while.

1992 Not the best way to finish a race. It was pretty hairy in pit straight.

1994 That finish...THAT MOVE!!!!!.....Everyone knew who Craig Lowndes was when the race was over.

1995 One that got away for Ford. And Larry caning that Commodore all race, to finally dispose of Glenn in the most heartbreaking way.

1998? Super tourers Bathurst (not totally sure of the year) Richards v's Richards all the way to the flag.....pity no one was there to see it....

1998? Super tourers Bathurst (not totally sure of the year) Richards v's Richards all the way to the flag.....pity no one was there to see it....

Yeah that was 1998, Jimmy Richards & Rickard Rydell vs. Steven Richards & Matt Neal, father & son toe to to righ till the end!

a win that he deserved.
How?

I think 92 was a great finish - the look on Richards face when he found out he'd won! Ignorance of the rules doesn't change who "should" win.

02 with Skaife and the plastic bags was one of my favourites. Seeing Lowndes' Ford overheat with substantially less litter in the intake and Skaife balancing between pushing and conserving the engine to win the race and the championship :)

How about '03 as well, with Skaifey's door going off its rocker...

I think '85 will be remembered as the one that got away from Brock, but he seemed to have a lot of them...

Not sure how '85 got away from Brock, he never really looked like having it. He never led the race once, and when he retired from second place with a handful of laps to go, was still 30 odd seconds behind the leading Goss/Hahne Jag, with Walkinshaw's Jaguar also between them on the road to act as a 'blocker' if needed.

One handed him a win that wasn't expected
What was unexpected about his 1981 win?

He had led basically all day (bar when they lost time in a slow pitstop) & had the speed on the other cars. Granted the car wasn't healthy when he race was stopped, but if you believe enough of that talk no cars in the top 6 were going to make to 163 laps that year :)

1992 they did well, but it wasn't a win that they deserved taken away from them.

How?

I think 92 was a great finish - the look on Richards face when he found out he'd won! Ignorance of the rules doesn't change who "should" win.
As a Holden man, I'd feel a bit strange trying to explain why I think a Ford deserved to win Bathurst, so I can so no more :rofl: - except that I think it did.

As a Holden man, I'd feel a bit strange trying to explain why I think a Ford deserved to win Bathurst, so I can so no more :rofl: - except that I think it did.

I think the 2nd Nissan would have won quite easily if the race had continued anyway.

This has been one of mysteries of life... What exactly happened to Richo in Godzilla? Where did he hit the wall and how come?

This has been one of mysteries of life... What exactly happened to Richo in Godzilla? Where did he hit the wall and how come?

Not that much of a mystery. The right hand bend at Reid Park just after the Cutting. Car just went straight on after crossing a river running across the track at that point. Track conditions were an absolute lottery as to who made it back to the pits intact. It was a full blown storm, the kind that makes a mockery of skill and experience.

Not that I'm suggesting for even a moment that the race should have continued (because it damn well should not have - red flag was absolutely the right choice), but seriously, just what sort of defence could Johnson have mounted on a damp track with Olofsson in the second Nissan, and Longhurst (who had made his last fuel stop) in the BMW behind him on the same lap.

Not that much of a mystery. The right hand bend at Reid Park just after the Cutting. Car just went straight on after crossing a river running across the track at that point. Track conditions were an absolute lottery as to who made it back to the pits intact. It was a full blown storm, the kind that makes a mockery of skill and experience.

Not that I'm suggesting for even a moment that the race should have continued (because it damn well should not have - red flag was absolutely the right choice), but seriously, just what sort of defence could Johnson have mounted on a damp track with Olofsson in the second Nissan, and Longhurst (who had made his last fuel stop) in the BMW behind him on the same lap.Too true, Falc, and in the wash-up, the dominant car of the day had its efforts recognised with the win. That deluge, and the carnage it created, would've nearly kept the tow-ies busy until midnight, even if they had've kept them circulating under the yellows. As much as I would've loved to have seen Godzilla bested, and most particularly by #17, the result of the 1992 Great Race was the only logical one in the circumstances on the day.

Not that I'm suggesting for even a moment that the race should have continued (because it damn well should not have - red flag was absolutely the right choice), but seriously, just what sort of defence could Johnson have mounted on a damp track with Olofsson in the second Nissan, and Longhurst (who had made his last fuel stop) in the BMW behind him on the same lap. The same defence he'd shown all weekend. He started from pole and had run at the front all day. What might have happened had that downpour not occurred we'll never know. I said that he deserved to win, and wondering whether the second GTR, or Longhurst's Sierra might have passed him doesn't change that.

I'll now revert to my normal support of Holdens.

Sorry, Longhurst's BM, not Sierra.

The GTR went off at Forrest's Elbow, aquaplaning into three other cars that had already gone off the track.

Whether Richards/Skaife would have won if the storm hadn't come isn't a question. Barring mechanical failure or something strange happening, they had the race won.

We'll never know.

Did it rob Cromley of his only genuine shot at a Bathurst win?

yor a pack of :censored: HOLES i never thought a gentleman would talk like that but i agree they were i was happy as they had that race if that storm never came aslong as nothing broke in the car but i also agree with the crowd a NISSAN.

The GTR went off at Forrest's Elbow, aquaplaning into three other cars that had already gone off the track.


Roll tape again...its a wee bit further down the straight mate :)

the "gentleman Jum" tag was only a bit of phonetic alliteration on the part of Mike Raymond... Richo can play as hard-ass as any of the bullies...

And despite the talk of his renowned mechanical sympathy, Skaife reckons JR taught him exactly how mercilessly you have to treat a car to be right at the top of the heap, week in, week out...

...and it's meant that the guy remains The Man, into his sixties...

I think one of my favourite finishes was 2002, with Skaife leading Brock in his last Bathurst 1000 finish across the line, albeit in 26th some ungodly number of laps down.

Did it rob Cromley of his only genuine shot at a Bathurst win?

Crompton robbed himself of a genuine shot at a Bathurst win in 1987 :)

isnt the Gentleman Jim tag cause he comes and appologies after hes nerfed you off? :p

I miss Mike Raymonds commentary. that and the theme music from the 7 broadcasts! memories..... was a good plast fromthe past when he did the Teevee commentary for some procar rounds a few years back. must be getting long in the tooth now.

I agree, 1995 was brilliant because Larry and Russ just smashed every one. Their car could last 6 and a half hours and abuse, whereas neither HRT car lasted 30 laps! for example.

This was the race that certainly showed Perkins strength in building cars to go the distance.Flat knacker from start to finish without missing a beat.

Just a shame there is no real avenue to get the old girl out and about without risking damage by racing door handle to door handle in Sport Sedans or the Touring car challenge.

Crompton robbed himself of a genuine shot at a Bathurst win in 1987 :)

Touche :D

There's also a strong argument that Crompton should have won in 1997 and 2000, as well.

My best ever Bathurst finish will hopefully come next week. No prizes for guessing what I'm talking about.

There's also a strong argument that Crompton should have won in 1997 and 2000, as well.

My best ever Bathurst finish will hopefully come next week. No prizes for guessing what I'm talking about.

I would like to think this could happen too SF

Mr Seton also enjoyed a strong personal relationship with Mr Brock, so this would certainly be the preferred prodigal son to win the Great Race :)

What? Not Lowndesy? You did allude to something a couple of years ago, GTR, and certainly, Glenn was on SKY NEWS, the day after the Brock death, explaining how they helped him get back into racing, after the accident. Can we please have a detailed explanation of what you mean, GTR?

Where to start....

- Bridgestone tyre supply with leftover ex-Brock Bridgestones
- Mobil/Bridgestone Tyre Centres sponsorship of GSR in 1996
- Assistance and personal support to Mr Seton after his mega sausage at Phillip Island in testing in 2000.

The families were obviously close as well, many a race meeting back in the early days of V8Supercar you would regularly see Bevo wishing Mr Seton good luck on the grid, or in the paddock... especially at Bathurst and at other places...

... there was also talk that Mr Seton was a customer of Dr Eric Dowker as well....

The GTR went off at Forrest's Elbow, aquaplaning into three other cars that had already gone off the track.

Rotor, the 3 wheeled GTR crashed into the pile of carnage beyond the elbow AFTER it had already clobbered the wall at Reid Park, as described earlier by the very knowledgeable Falcadore.

Ray, I don't know what your issue with Doug Chivas is, but I'll add my 2c worth. Doug was given the 'get max laps' sign when the thing had already coughed a few times, sucking air. He decided to go for another two laps, rather than pull in on the first opportunity after being shown that sign. Sure enough, the engine stopped coming through McPhillamy. That's a long way to roll a car on fat slick tyres back to the pits, particularly getting through Forrests Elbow. He started the car a few times down Conrod (on the ignition, foot on clutch), but as soon as he engaged the clutch, it cut out. He tried a few wiggles to slop any remaining fuel around, hopefully to get it to crank just enough to do the uphill to the pits, but no luck. I don't know about driving it on the starter motor. I doubt it would have worked in a standard Torana, let alone one with the compression the HDT XU1s were running.

Yes, he came around Hell too slow, but he'd been rolling it along from the top of the mountain. Maybe he was silly, and with over thirty years of hindsight, I'm sure you could have done better.
A couple of years ago, the electric fuel pump in my Torana XU1 died on the last lap of a Group N race at Bathurst. I was last car on the lead lap, so i couldn't be passed, I just had to finish. The car only just made it to McPhillamy, so I knocked it into neutral and coasted all the way to the finish line.

If it wasn't for PB's account of the Chivas incident, I wouldn't have thought it possible. But, sure enough, the car made it across the line, just..... It rolled to a halt 3 metres over the line! It felt really weird rolling down Conrod, at a fairly considerable speed in a silent car. The best part was turning onto pit straight and the crowd knew straight away what was happening and they cheered like mad when i crossed the line. :rotate: