1971 Hardie-Ferodo 500

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Layout of the Mount Panorama Circuit (1938-1986) Mount Panorama 1938-1986.png
Layout of the Mount Panorama Circuit (1938-1986)

The 1971 Hardie-Ferodo 500 was a motor race held on 3 October 1971 at the Mount Panorama Circuit just outside Bathurst in New South Wales, Australia. It was open to production vehicles competing in showroom condition, [1] with the field divided into five classes based on the purchase price of the vehicle in Australian dollars. Although an outright winner was officially recognised, all other official awards were for class results only. [2] The race was the 12th in a sequence of annual "Bathurst 500" production car races dating back to the 1960 Armstrong 500. The outright winner was Allan Moffat driving a Ford XY Falcon GT-HO Phase III.

The 1971 race is perhaps best remembered for Sydney driver Bill Brown's lucky escape after the biggest single car crash in the race's history. On lap 43, the right front tyre on Brown's Phase III GTHO Falcon burst at over 100 mph (161 km/h) on the approach to the daunting McPhillamy Park, which in 1971 had no runoff area on the outside of the track, just the earth bank and a fence made of railway sleepers on top. The Falcon barrel-rolled along the fence (with two marshals lucky to escape with their lives by only just scampering out of the way) and ended upside down after 3½ rolls. Brown was lucky because his seat broke in the first roll and he was lying flat in the car as it continued rolling. Amazingly his only injuries were a grazed shin and a black eye. [3]

1971 will also be remembered as the year that Moffat had a stray cardboard Southwark Bitter carton attach itself to the front of his GTHO for a number of laps, blocking the car's radiator. Pit boards told him of the problem and the team attempted to call Moffat in for a quick stop to remove the carton, but Moffat, seeing no change to the engine temperature and no reduction in the car's performance, waved them off and remained on the track until his scheduled pit stop with the approval of Ford Works Team manager Howard Marsden. [4]

Class structure

Cars competed in five classes based on the purchase price of the vehicle in Australian dollars.

Class A

Class A was for cars costing less than $2,150. It was contested by Datsun 1200, Mazda 1300 and Toyota Corolla.

Class B

The $2,151 to $2,500 class had the smallest number of starters with just four cars: Datsun 1600 and Mazda Capella 1600.

Class C

The $2,501 to $3,150 class saw a mix of Ford Cortina, Ford Escort, 2.8 litre Holden Torana GTR, Honda 1300, Mazda RX-2 and Morris Cooper S.

Class D

The $3,151 to $4,350 class featured Alfa Romeo Giulia, the E38 version of the Chrysler Valiant Charger, Ford Falcon 500 and 3.0 litre Holden Torana GTR XU-1.

Class E

For cars over $4,350. Apart from a single Fiat 124S, the class consisted only of Ford Falcon GT-HO Phase IIIs.

Top 10 Qualifiers

PosNoTeamDriverCarQual
Pole65 Ford Motor Co of Australia Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Allan Moffat Ford XY Falcon GTHO Phase III 2:38.9
264 Ford Motor Co of Australia Flag of Australia (converted).svg John French Ford XY Falcon GTHO Phase III 2:41.9
366 Road & Track Auto Services Flag of Australia (converted).svg Fred Gibson Ford XY Falcon GTHO Phase III 2:43.3
457Finnie Ford Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg David McKay Ford XY Falcon GTHO Phase III 2:44.4
563FF Newell & Son Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bill Brown Ford XY Falcon GTHO Phase III 2:44.7
662Byrt Ford Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Phil Barnes Ford XY Falcon GTHO Phase III 2:45.4
769Trevor Thiele Ford Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Trevor Meehan Ford XY Falcon GTHO Phase III 2:45.5
843Geoghegan's Sporty Cars Flag of Australia (converted).svg Leo Geoghegan Chrysler VH Valiant Charger R/T E38 2:45.7
961Baldwin Ford Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Damon Beck Ford XY Falcon GTHO Phase III 2:46.6
1045Reg Papps & Sons Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bob Beasley Chrysler VH Valiant Charger R/T E38 2:46.3

Results

The Chrysler VH Valiant Charger R/T E38 of Leo Geoghegan & Peter Brown finished second in Class D in the 1971 Hardie-Ferodo 500. Chrysler VH Valiant Charger Geoghegan.jpg
The Chrysler VH Valiant Charger R/T E38 of Leo Geoghegan & Peter Brown finished second in Class D in the 1971 Hardie-Ferodo 500.
A recreation of the Chrysler VH Valiant Charger R/T E38 which placed 6th in Class D in the hands of Norm Beechey & Jim McKeown Chrysler VH Valiant Charger RT E38.jpg
A recreation of the Chrysler VH Valiant Charger R/T E38 which placed 6th in Class D in the hands of Norm Beechey & Jim McKeown
Pos. [5] Class [5] [6] [7] No. [6] [7] Entrant [6] [7] Drivers [5] [6] [7] Car [5] [6] [7] Laps [5] [7] Qual
Pos.
1E65 Ford Motor Co of Australia Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Allan Moffat Ford XY Falcon GT-HO Phase III 1301
2E62Byrt Ford Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Phil Barnes
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bob Skelton
Ford XY Falcon GT-HO Phase III 1296
3E57Finnie Ford Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg David McKay Ford XY Falcon GT-HO Phase III 1294
4D31 Holden Dealer Team Flag of Australia (converted).svg Colin Bond Holden LC Torana GTR XU-1 12915
5E64 Ford Motor Co of Australia Flag of Australia (converted).svg John French Ford XY Falcon GT-HO Phase III 1292
6E60McLeod Ford Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Goss
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Barry Sharp
Ford XY Falcon GT-HO Phase III 12917
7D43Geoghegan's Sporty Cars Flag of Australia (converted).svg Leo Geoghegan
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Brown
Chrysler VH Valiant Charger R/T E38 1298
8D32 Holden Dealer Team Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Brock Holden LC Torana GTR XU-1 12911
9D30Max Wright Motors Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brian Foley
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Don Holland
Holden LC Torana GTR XU-1 12922
10D45Reg Papps & Sons Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bob Beasley Chrysler VH Valiant Charger R/T E38 12910
11E59J Harding Flag of Australia (converted).svg Murray Carter Ford XY Falcon GT-HO Phase III 12721
12D41Shell Racing Flag of Australia (converted).svg Norm Beechey
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jim McKeown
Chrysler VH Valiant Charger R/T E38 12719
13D28Suttons Motors (Petersham) Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bruce McPhee Holden LC Torana GTR XU-1 12732
14E55Sinclair Ford Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kevin Bartlett Ford XY Falcon GT-HO Phase III 12630
15D40Harvey Drew Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Joe Butta
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Geoff Hunter
Chrysler VH Valiant Charger R/T E38 12624
16D49Courtesy Motors Flag of Australia (converted).svg Martin Chenery Chrysler VH Valiant Charger R/T E38 12518
17D29Dusting & Co Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tony Roberts Holden LC Torana GTR XU-1 12536
18D39City State Racing Team Flag of Australia (converted).svg Johnnie Walker
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Malcolm Ramsay
Holden LC Torana GTR XU-1 12428
19D42Liverpool Chrysler Flag of Australia (converted).svg Doug Chivas
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Graham Moore
Chrysler VH Valiant Charger R/T E38 12416
20E67Wright Ford Motors Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Des West Ford XY Falcon GT-HO Phase III 12312
21D47John McNicol Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Gerry Lister
Flag of Australia (converted).svg David Seldon
Ford XY Falcon 500 12234
22D37M Brown Flag of Australia (converted).svg Mick Brown Holden LC Torana GTR XU-1 12133
23D34The Commonwealth Ind. Gases Flag of Australia (converted).svg Geoff Leeds
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Digby Cooke
Holden LC Torana GTR XU-1 12023
24E54Zanardo & Rodriguez
Sales & Services Pty Ltd
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ron Kearns Fiat 124 Sport 11835
25D38L Seaton Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brian Reed
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Graham Ritter
Chrysler VH Valiant Charger R/T E38 11826
26C17G Cooke Flag of Australia (converted).svg Gary Cooke
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Garry Holmes
Mazda RX-2 11739
27C27Victorian Police Motor Sports Club Flag of Australia (converted).svg Geoff Wade
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Geoff Perry
Holden LC Torana GTR 11740
28D44Blue Point Motors (Management) Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Graham Ryan Chrysler VH Valiant Charger R/T E38 11627
29C51D&P Traders Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Pat Peck
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jan Holland
Holden LC Torana GTR XU-1 11561
30C19Chas Tierney Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Mal Brewster
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ray Strong
Holden LC Torana GTR 11542
31C16John Hile Ford Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ross Hewison
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brian Hones
Ford Escort Twin Cam Mk.I 11045
32C22Mazda Racing Team Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wayne Rogerson
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Alan Mayne
Mazda RX-2 11337
33C25Marque Motors Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bob Cracknell
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bob Wedd
Morris Cooper S 11147
34C24H Vines Flag of Australia (converted).svg Herb Vines
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Chris Batger
Ford Escort Twin Cam Mk.I 11045
35C20Kloster Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Geoff Westbury
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jim Sullivan
Ford TC Cortina 2000L 11049
36B12WH Motors Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bruce Stewart Datsun 1600 10951
37A6John Palmer Motors Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Leffler Mazda 1300 10853
38A8Mazda Racing Team Flag of Australia (converted).svg Les Carne
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Cray
Mazda 1300 10757
39A5AMI Racing Team Flag of Australia (converted).svg Barry Arentz Toyota Corolla 1200 10659
40A7C Kennedy Flag of Australia (converted).svg Carl Kennedy
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bill Slattery
Mazda 1300 10560
41C21Bennett Honda Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ken Brian
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Noel Riley
Honda 1300-S10456
42C15Marque Motors Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bill Stanley
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Mike Kable
Morris Cooper S 10244
43A1Datsun Racing Team Flag of Australia (converted).svg Doug Whiteford Datsun 1200 10052
44B14Mazda Racing Team Flag of Australia (converted).svg George Garth
Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Hall
Mazda Capella 1600 9946
45B11WH Motors Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Don Smith Datsun 1600 9748
DNFE61Baldwin Ford Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Damon Beck
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Garry Rush
Ford XY Falcon GT-HO Phase III 1179
DNFA4AMI Racing Team Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brian Sampson Toyota Corolla 1200 10258
DNFD50R Lanyon Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tom Naughton
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lawrie Nelson [8]
Chrysler VH Valiant Charger R/T E38 9825
DNFD48B Thomson Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bryan Thomson
Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Mann
Alfa Romeo 1600 Giulia Super 8043
DNFE58Mark IV Car Air Conditioning Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bob Morris
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ray Morris
Ford XY Falcon GT-HO Phase III 8014
DNFE69Trevor Thiele Ford Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Trevor Meehan Ford XY Falcon GT-HO Phase III 557
DNFD33Bob Jane Racing Team Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bob Jane
Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Harvey
Holden LC Torana GTR XU-1 5029
DNFD46Bardahl International Oil Corp Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bob Forbes
Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Millyard
Chrysler VH Valiant Charger R/T E38 4613
DNFE63FF Newell & Son Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bill Brown Ford XY Falcon GT-HO Phase III 435
DNFE66 Road & Track Auto Services Flag of Australia (converted).svg Fred Gibson
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Barry Seton
Ford XY Falcon GT-HO Phase III 323
DNFA9Mazda Racing Team Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bernie Haehnle
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ray Kaleda
Mazda 1300 1754
DNFD36BS NcNaughton Flag of Australia (converted).svg Scott McNaughton
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Geoff Harvey
Holden LC Torana GTR XU-1 720
DSQC23Sinclair Ford Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Alan Cant
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Herb Taylor
Ford Escort Twin Cam Mk.I 11541
DSQB10Datsun Racing Team Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Roxburgh
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jon Leighton
Datsun 1600 11150
DSQA2Datsun Racing Team Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jim Laing-Peach Datsun 1200 10955
DNSA3AMI Racing Team Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bill Evans Toyota Corolla 1200
DNSB13Harry Gapps Ford Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Harry Gapps
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Frank Hann
Ford Cortina 1600L
DNSC18Waterloo High Performance Tuning Centre Flag of Australia (converted).svg Warren Gracie
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ron Gillard
Holden LC Torana GTR
DNSC26Harry Gapps Ford Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg R Kramer Ford Escort Twin Cam
DNSD35L Grose Flag of Australia (converted).svg Les Grose
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lakis Manticas
Holden LC Torana GTR XU-1 31
DNSD52R Lanyon Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lawrie Nelson
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tony Farrell
Chrysler VH Valiant Charger R/T E38
DNSD53Formula 1 International Motoring Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tony Allen
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Len Searle
Chrysler VH Valiant Charger R/T E38
DNSE56McCluskey Ford Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ian Geoghegan
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brian Michelmore
Ford XY Falcon GT-HO Phase III
DNSE68G Ward Flag of Australia (converted).svg Graham Ward Volvo 164
DNSE70HG Fenton Flag of Australia (converted).svg H Fenton
Flag of Australia (converted).svg F Ure
Ford XW Falcon GT-HO Phase II

Statistics

References

  1. 1971 Official Program Hardie Ferodo 500 page 6 Retrieved from www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au on 26 August 2009. 3 September 2009.
  2. 1971 Official Program Hardie Ferodo 500 page 60 Retrieved from www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au on 26 August 2009. 3 September 2009.
  3. Bill Brown crash
  4. Mount Panorama Bathurst - The Great Race - 1971 highlights
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Greenhalgh, David; Thomas B. Floyd; Bill Tuckey (2000). Australia's Greatest Motor Race 1960-1999. Chevron Publishing Group. pp. 178–185 & 459. ISBN   1-875221-12-3.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 1971 Official Program Hardie Ferodo 500 page 59Retrieved from www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au on 26 August 2009. 3 September 2009.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1972 Official Program Hardie Ferodo 500 page 58 Retrieved from www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au on 15 March 2014.
  8. Nelson replaced Ross Wemyss as Naughton's co-driver although the late change saw Wemyss's name remain on the driver entry list. As outlined in What Might Have Been, Australian Muscle Car, 1 May 2021, page 44