1976 Hardie-Ferodo 1000

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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 race winning Morris/Fitzpatrick Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 Morris-b-l34.jpg
The race winning Morris/Fitzpatrick Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34

The 1976 Hardie-Ferodo 1000 was the 17th running of the Bathurst 1000 touring car race. It was held on 3 October 1976 at the Mount Panorama Circuit just outside Bathurst in New South Wales, Australia. The race was open to cars complying with CAMS Group C Touring Car regulations.

The race was dramatically won by the Ron Hodgson Motors entered Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 of Bob Morris and British driver John Fitzpatrick. Second on the same lap was the Holden Dealer Team Torana L34 of Colin Bond and John Harvey. Brothers Peter and Phil Brock in the Team Brock entered Torana L34 completed a second consecutive podium clean sweep for the Torana L34. In fact, Torana L34s filled the top seven places.

The competitors in the over three-litre class included ex-Formula 1 drivers Jack Brabham and Stirling Moss, in a Torana L34 entered by Esmonds Motors of Queanbeyan. Brabham was driving competitively for the first time since 1971, and Moss had not competed in a circuit race since his Goodwood crash in 1962. The two former Grand Prix stars attracted much publicity and ultimately qualified tenth. However, their race effectively ended when Brabham lined up to take the start; the Torana's gears became jammed on the grid and a Triumph Dolomite Sprint rammed it hard from behind (in his attempt to find a gear, Jack had failed to put his arm out the window to warn other drivers). Although the Torana was hastily repaired, and reappeared several hours later simply for appearances, it eventually blew its motor with Moss at the wheel. [1] [2] [3] Unfortunately Moss attracted criticism from other drivers after the Torana's engine blew as he continued to drive the car on the racing line for ¾ of a lap, with smoke billowing from the exhaust and dropping oil on the track.

The 2001 to 3000cc class saw Ford Capri drivers Barry Seton and Don Smith take a one lap victory over the Mazda RX-3 of Don Holland and Lynn Brown. Another Capri, the car of Graham Moore and emerging Queensland driver Dick Johnson was a further lap down in third.

The 1301 to 2000cc class also saw one lap margins between the top three cars with the Ford Escort of Eric Boord and Tom Tymons beating the Alfa Romeo GTV of Phil McDonnell and Jim Hunter. The Bob Holden run Ford Escort of Lyndon Arnel and Peter Hopwood was third.

The John Roxburgh Motors entered Datsun 1200 of Bill Evans and Bruce Stewart took a two lap victory in the Up to 1300cc class over the Honda Civics of Brian Reed and Ian Chilman, and Roger Bonhomme and Doug Whiteford.

The 1976 race continues to be a source of controversy, as it has been claimed that a lap scoring error caused the Hold Dealer Team Torana of Bond and Harvey not to be counted for a lap, thus robbing them of the victory. However HDT, the team backed by Holden, did not appeal the results; some have claimed this is because Holden did not want to appear to be doing a disservice to the Morris/Fitzpatrick team which was run by Ron Hodgson Motors, which at the time was Sydney's largest Holden dealership. The lap counting error has been denied by the Australian Racing Drivers Club (ARDC), and by some teams (including the race winners and television broadcaster Channel 7) who carried out their own lap scoring. An appeal of the results was not lodged prior to the expiration date meaning the results as published are final. In 2003 Holden offered Harvey an apology for not appealing the results. This occurred at a testimonial dinner for Harvey who after retiring from racing had gone on to become a senior executive with Holden Special Vehicles. Since that time though, Harvey has caused controversy by publicly stating that he was the winner of the race, though the official results continue to show him finishing second. For his part, Colin Bond has remained in dignified silence. [4]

Class structure

Reproduction of the Bond/Harvey HDT Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 Holden LH Torana SLR 5000 L34 race replica.JPG
Reproduction of the Bond/Harvey HDT Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34

The field was divided into four classes based on engine capacity. [5]

Class: Up to 1300cc

The class comprised Alfa Romeo 1300, Datsun 1200, Fiat 128 3P, Ford Escort, Honda Civic, Mazda 1300, Morris Clubman GT, Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Passat.

Class: 1301cc - 2000cc

The class saw a mix of Alfa Romeo Alfetta and 2000 GTV, BMW 2002, Fiat 124 Sport, Ford Escort RS2000, Mazda RX-3, Triumph Dolomite and Volkswagen Golf.

Class: 2001cc - 3000cc

The class featured BMW 3.0Si, Ford Capri and Mazda RX-3.

Class: 3001cc - 6000cc

The class consisted only of Holden Torana and Ford Falcon entries.

Top 10 Qualifiers

PosNoTeamDriverCarQual
Pole9 Moffat-Ford Dealer Team Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Allan Moffat Ford XB Falcon GT Hardtop 2:25.0
25Team Brock Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Brock Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 2:25.1
31 Holden Dealer Team Flag of Australia (converted).svg Colin Bond Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 2:26.2
47 Ron Hodgson Motors Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bob Morris Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 2:26.4
52John Goss Racing Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Goss Ford XB Falcon GT Hardtop 2:27.5
620Craven Mild Racing Flag of Australia (converted).svg Allan Grice Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 2:28.1
78 Holden Dealer Team Flag of Australia (converted).svg Charlie O'Brien Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 2:28.3
812Craven Mild Racing Flag of Australia (converted).svg Frank Gardner Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 2:29.1
915Captain Peter Janson Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kevin Bartlett Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 2:29.5
1017Esmonds Motors Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jack Brabham Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 2:30.0

Results

PosClassNoEntrant [5] DriversCarLapsQual
Pos
13001cc - 6000cc7 Ron Hodgson Motors Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bob Morris
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Fitzpatrick
Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 1634
23001cc - 6000cc1 Marlboro Holden Dealer Team Flag of Australia (converted).svg Colin Bond
Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Harvey
Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 1633
33001cc - 6000cc5Team Brock Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Brock
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Phil Brock
Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 1602
43001cc - 6000cc8 Marlboro Holden Dealer Team Flag of Australia (converted).svg Charlie O'Brien
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wayne Negus
Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 1607
53001cc - 6000cc15Captain Peter Janson Flag of New Zealand.svg Peter Janson
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kevin Bartlett
Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 1589
63001cc - 6000cc14 Bob Forbes Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bob Forbes
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Russ McRae
Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 15715
73001cc - 6000cc3Max Wright Motors Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bob Skelton
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Alan Hamilton
Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 15713
82001cc - 3000cc26Barry Benson Flag of Australia (converted).svg Barry Seton
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Don Smith
Ford Capri Mk.I 15618
92001cc - 3000cc23Penrith Mazda Centre Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Don Holland
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lynn Brown
Mazda RX-3 15528
102001cc - 3000cc28Bryan Byrt Ford Flag of Australia (converted).svg Graham Moore
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Dick Johnson
Ford Capri Mk.I RS3100 15419
112001cc - 3000cc21Mazda House Racing Team Flag of Australia (converted).svg Geoff Leeds
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jim McKeown
Mazda RX-3 15425
121301cc - 2000cc51Fischer Ford Racing Team Flag of Australia (converted).svg Eric Boord
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tom Tymons
Ford Escort RS2000 Mk.I 15230
132001cc - 3000cc30Wyong Tyres & Spares Flag of Australia (converted).svg Russell Skaife
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brian Potts
Ford Capri Mk.I 15126
141301cc - 2000cc39Quick Fit Spares & Accessories Flag of Australia (converted).svg Phil McDonnell
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jim Hunter
Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV 15139
151301cc - 2000cc45 Bob Holden - Shell Sport Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lyndon Arnel
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Hopwood
Ford Escort RS2000 Mk.II 15038
161301cc - 2000cc60Clemens Sporting Car Servies Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Frank Porter
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tony Roberts
Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTAm 14934
171301cc - 2000cc59Autodelta Racing Australia Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Leffler
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Richard Carter
Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTAm 14833
181301cc - 2000cc40Pye Racing Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Wherrett
Flag of Australia (converted).svg David Jones
Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV 14835
193001cc - 6000cc18Murray Carter Flag of Australia (converted).svg Murray Carter
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ray Winter
Ford XB Falcon GT Hardtop 14814
202001cc - 3000cc34Craven Mild Racing Flag of Australia (converted).svg Paul Older
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Barry Lake
BMW 3.0 Si 14731
211301cc - 2000cc50Computer Accounting Services Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Terry Daly
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Barry Jones
Ford Escort RS2000 Mk.I 14642
222001cc - 3000cc25Eurocars Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brian Wheeler
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Neil Mason
Mazda RX-3 14332
231301cc - 2000cc48De Bortolis Wines Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bruce Hodgson
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Dave Morrow
Ford Escort RS2000 Mk.II 14237
24Up to 1300cc71 John Roxburgh Motors Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bill Evans
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bruce Stewart
Datsun 1200 13949
252001cc - 3000cc24Bangalow Motors Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Duggan
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Doug Angus
Mazda RX-3 13929
26Up to 1300cc64Ian Chilman Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brian Reed
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ian Chilman
Honda Civic 13755
273001cc - 6000cc13Tim Slako Flag of New Zealand.svg Tim Slako
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brian Rhodes
Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 13717
28Up to 1300cc62Mollison Motors Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Roger Bonhomme
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Doug Whiteford
Honda Civic 13753
29Up to 1300cc75Jeff Harris Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jeff Harris
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Arthur Hardwick
Morris Clubman GT 13656
30Up to 1300cc65James Mason Motors Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brian Porter
Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Ainsley
Mazda 1300 13061
313001cc - 6000cc2John Goss Racing Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Goss
Flag of New Zealand.svg Jim Richards
Ford XB Falcon GT Hardtop 1295
32Up to 1300cc67Peter Williamson Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Greg Toepfer
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Greville Arnel
Toyota Corolla 12757
33Up to 1300cc76Ray Molloy Motors Preston Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ray Molloy
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Alan Braszell
Morris Clubman GT 12551
34Up to 1300cc73Avant Motors - Alfa Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robin Dudfield
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tony Niovanni
Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Junior 11659
DNF1301cc - 2000cc41Gil Gordon Alfa Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ron Gillard
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Graham Harrison
Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV 12041
DNF2001cc - 3000cc31ATP (Aust) Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Alan Cant
Flag of Australia (converted).svg George Morrell
Ford Capri Mk.I 11120
DNFUp to 1300cc63Auto Village - Nowra Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ken Brian
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Noel Riley
Honda Civic 10458
DNF1301cc - 2000cc37 Ron Hodgson Motors Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ron Dickson
Flag of New Zealand.svg Graeme Lawrence
Triumph Dolomite Sprint 10322
DNF1301cc - 2000cc56Bob Glazier Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Granger
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Gerry Murphy
BMW 2002 Tii 9747
DNF3001cc - 6000cc6Warren Cullen Wrecking Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Warren Cullen
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Max Stewart
Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 9511
DNF3001cc - 6000cc9 Moffat-Ford Dealer Team Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Allan Moffat
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Vern Schuppan
Ford XB Falcon GT Hardtop 871
DNF1301cc - 2000cc61Bob Williamson's Mini Factory Tyre
Traders & Merchants Pty Ltd
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Gary Cooke
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bob Williamson
Mazda RX-3 8362
DNF1301cc - 2000cc38Endrust (Australia) Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg James Laing-Peach
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Paul Gulson
Triumph Dolomite Sprint 8223
DNF3001cc - 6000cc12Craven Mild Racing Flag of Australia (converted).svg Allan Grice
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Frank Gardner
Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 728
DNF1301cc - 2000cc35B & G Meyer Leyland Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Dellaca
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kerry Wade
Triumph Dolomite Sprint 6736
DNFUp to 1300cc78Hugh Donaldson Flag of Australia (converted).svg Hugh Donaldson
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Mike Quinn
Morris Clubman GT 5852
DNF3001cc - 6000cc4Gown-Hindhaugh Engine Developments Flag of Australia (converted).svg Garth Wigston
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bruce Hindhaugh
Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 5612
DNF1301cc - 2000cc58Brian Foley Pty Ltd Flag of France.svg Marie-Claude Charmasson
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Christine Gibson
Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTAm 5248
DNF1301cc - 2000cc52Allan Nuttall Flag of Australia (converted).svg Allan Nuttall
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Richard Bailey
Fiat 124 Sport 5146
DNF1301cc - 2000cc53Lennox Motors Flag of Australia (converted).svg Chris Heyer
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Lander
Volkswagen Golf 3845
DNF3001cc - 6000cc17Esmonds Motors Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jack Brabham
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stirling Moss
Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 3710
DNF2001cc - 3000cc32Head Mod Engineering Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lawrie Nelson
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Nick Louis
Ford Capri Mk.I 3224
DNF1301cc - 2000cc49Brian Wood Ford Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Rod Stevens
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jim Murcott
Ford Escort RS2000 Mk.I 2844
DNFUp to 1300cc72Caroline O'Shanesy Flag of Australia (converted).svg Caroline O'Shanesy
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Garry Leggatt
Fiat 128 3P 2760
DNF1301cc - 2000cc43 Bob Holden - Shell Sport Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bob Holden
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ray Cutchie
Ford Escort RS2000 Mk.II 2343
DNFUp to 1300cc69Ken Harrison - Shell Sport Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ken Harrison
Flag of Australia (converted).svg David Turnbull
Ford Escort 1300 Mk.I 2254
DNFUp to 1300cc70Blackwood Cars Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bernie Stack
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Keith Poole
Volkswagen Passat 1950
DNF1301cc - 2000cc57Ralph Radburn Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ralph Radburn
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Williamson
BMW 2002 Tii 1427
DNF2001cc - 3000cc27City Ford Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lakis Manticas
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Doug Chivas
Ford Capri Mk.I 321
DNF1301cc - 2000cc36Orange City Leyland Flag of Australia (converted).svg David Seldon
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bob Martin
Triumph Dolomite Sprint 040
DNS3001cc - 6000cc20Craven Mild Racing Flag of Australia (converted).svg Frank Gardner
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Allan Grice
Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 6
DNS3001cc - 6000cc16Breville Holdings Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ray Kaleda
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bob Stevens
Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 16
DNQ3001cc - 6000cc10Barry Sheales Holden Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kel Gough
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tom Naughton
Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34
DNQ2001cc - 3000cc29Geoff Moran Flag of Australia (converted).svg Geoff Moran
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Graeme Ibbotson
Ford Capri Mk.I
DNQ1301cc - 2000cc47Peak Performance Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg John English
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Gary Scott
Ford Escort RS2000 Mk.II
DNQUp to 1300cc68Peter Mac's Towing Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Geoff Wade
Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Stoopman
Ford Escort 1300 Mk.I
DNQUp to 1300cc74Fred's Treads Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Gordon Rich
Flag of Australia (converted).svg David Crowther
Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Junior

Statistics

References

  1. "Brabham, Moss to drive at Bathurst". The Sydney Morning Herald . 20 August 1976. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  2. Wood, Brian (19 May 2014). "Sir Jack Brabham remembered in Bathurst". Western Advocate (Bathurst). Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  3. "When Sir Jack Took on the Mountain". Holden Motorsport website. Holden Motorsport. 21 May 2014. Archived from the original on 5 June 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  4. Noonan, Aaron (26 July 2010). "Who really won the 1976 Bathurst 1000?". Speed Cafe. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 1976 Official Programme, Hardie-Ferodo 1000, Entry List, pages 35 & 37