1977 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 1977 Hardie-Ferodo 1000 was a motor race for Group C Touring Cars, held on 2 October 1977 at the Mount Panorama Circuit just outside Bathurst in New South Wales, Australia. It was the 18th in a sequence of "Bathurst 1000" events commencing with the 1960 Armstrong 500.

The race was won by Allan Moffat for a record-equalling fourth time, driving with multiple Formula One Grand Prix and 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, Belgian legend Jacky Ickx. They finished in side-by-side formation with the Moffat Ford Dealers team's second Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop driven by Colin Bond and Alan Hamilton in the most dominant team performance seen at the race (Hamilton got the drive after Bond's original nominated co-driver Gregg Hansford was unavailable due to injury from a motorcycle racing accident). Third was the first of the new A9X Hatchback Holden Toranas, a privateer entry driven by Peter Janson and Australian Formula One driver Larry Perkins.

Years after the event, Colin Bond stated that he wished he had powered past Moffat's ailing Falcon (Moffat's Falcon was out of brakes due to Ickx being too hard on them during his stint at the wheel) and won the race instead of playing to team orders (which came from team boss Moffat) to stay behind and let the #1 Ford win the race. Moffat also stated that during the race he had offered Bond a drive in his car, which would have seen Bond join Moffat and Ickx as winners, but the 1969 winner had declined preferring to continue in car #2. Moffat has also stated that as team owner he had no regrets about ordering Bond to remain behind as they were over a lap in front of the Torana driven by Janson / Perkins Torana and the pole winning Torana of Peter and Phil Brock, but had the Torana's been on the same lap and closing in, Bond would have been free to leave him behind and win the race for the Moffat Ford Dealers team.

Two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Johnny Rutherford made his only start in this race alongside his teammate Janet Guthrie, a fellow USAC Marlboro Championship Trail driver and the first woman to ever qualify for the Indianapolis 500 only months before. The pair drove the second of the Ron Hodgson Motors entered Toranas alongside defending race winners Bob Morris and John Fitzpatrick. Morris and Fitzpatrick drove one of the Torana A9X 4-Door sedans while Rutherford and Guthrie drove an A9X Hatchback. "Lone Star JR" qualified the Torana in 26th position, but during practice complained that his car wasn't as good as the Morris / Fitzpatrick car. To prove that it wasn't the car and it was just Rutherford's unfamiliarity with both the track and a right hand drive saloon, Morris ran a number of laps in practice in the car which were over 5 seconds faster than the Indy 500 winner had achieved. Although this actually qualified Morris in the car as he had been cross-entered, under the regulations Rutherford's fastest time of 2:34.8 was its official qualifying time as no driver could qualify another car for grid position other than their own nominated entry. The car carried the #17. As of the 2020 race this was the last time that number would be used by anyone other than Dick Johnson or his team Dick Johnson Racing (Johnson's Falcon carried the #13 in the race).

With the exception of 1988 and 2022, 1977 was the last time that the full grid at Bathurst was decided in the traditional qualifying sessions. 1978 would see the introduction of the "Hardies Heroes" top 10 runoff for pole where the fastest eight qualifiers, plus two at the stewards invitation, would have a chance at pole position with a runoff held the day before the race. The runoff was devised by race broadcaster Channel 7 and the race promoters, the Australian Racing Drivers' Club (ARDC) for extra television time.

1977 was also the last year in which four time race winner Harry Firth would be at Bathurst as either a driver or team manager. After having led the Holden Dealer Team since its formation in 1969, Firth, the 1961, 1962, 1963 and 1967 race winner, had announced his retirement. Firth, who won the last race held at Phillip Island in 1962 and the first held at Bathurst in 1963, as well as driving the first V8 powered car to victory in 1967, would go on to be CAMS Chief Scrutineer from 1978 to 1981 before retiring from the sport completely. During his time as HDT Team Manager, the Dealer Team had won Bathurst in 1969 with Colin Bond and Tony Roberts driving a Holden HT Monaro GTS350, and again in 1972 when Peter Brock took his first win driving a Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1.

Allan Moffat and Jacky Ickx won the race driving a Ford Falcon XC 1977 Falcon XC Hardie Ferodo winner (9031594276).jpg
Allan Moffat and Jacky Ickx won the race driving a Ford Falcon XC
Peter Janson and Larry Perkins placed third in a Holden LX Torana SS A9X. (Car pictured in 2015) Holden Torana SS A9X (Peter Janson).JPG
Peter Janson and Larry Perkins placed third in a Holden LX Torana SS A9X. (Car pictured in 2015)
Charlie O'Brien and Ron Harrop placed fifth in a Holden LX Torana SL/R 5000 A9X entered by the Marlboro Holden Dealer Team Holden LX Torana SLR 5000 A9X.JPG
Charlie O'Brien and Ron Harrop placed fifth in a Holden LX Torana SL/R 5000 A9X entered by the Marlboro Holden Dealer Team

Class structure

Cars competed in three engine displacement classes:

3001cc – 6000cc

The class was contested by Holden Torana and Ford Falcon entries.

2001cc – 3000cc

The class was contested by Mazda RX-3, Ford Capri and BMW 3.0Si entries.

Up to 2000cc

The class was contested by Alfa Romeo Alfetta and 2000 GTV, BMW 2002, Ford Escort RS2000, Holden Gemini, Toyota Celica, Triumph Dolomite and Volkswagen Golf entries.

Top 10 Qualifiers

1977 would be the final year (with the exception of 1988 and 2022) that official qualifying would count for the entire grid. From 1978, race broadcaster Channel 7 and the Australian Racing Drivers Club (ARDC) would introduce the Hardies Heroes top 10 runoff for the fastest 8 qualifiers and two invitees to have the chance to go for pole position on the Saturday. Hardies Heroes would also provide extra coverage time for Channel 7.

PosNoTeamDriverCarQual
Pole25 Bill Patterson Racing Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Brock Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback 2:24.1
22 Moffat Ford Dealers Flag of Australia (converted).svg Colin Bond Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop 2:25.2
31 Moffat Ford Dealers Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Allan Moffat Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop 2:25.6
46Craven Mild Racing Flag of Australia (converted).svg Allan Grice Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback 2:25.8
53 Bob Jane 2UW Racing Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ian Geoghegan Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback 2:25.9
610Melford Motors Flag of New Zealand.svg Jim Richards Ford XB Falcon GT Hardtop 2:26.0
77 Ron Hodgson Motors Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bob Morris Holden LX Torana SL/R 5000 A9X 4-Door 2:26.6
814 Holden Dealer Team Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Harvey Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback 2:26.8
94John Goss Racing Pty Limited Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jack Brabham Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop 2:26.9
108 Holden Dealer Team Flag of Australia (converted).svg Charlie O'Brien Holden LX Torana SL/R 5000 A9X 4-Door 2:27.2

Results

PosClass [1] No [1] Entrant [1] DriversCarLapsQual
Pos
13001cc – 6000cc1 Moffat Ford Dealers Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Allan Moffat
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Jacky Ickx
Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop 1633
23001cc – 6000cc2Moffat Ford Dealers Flag of Australia (converted).svg Colin Bond
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Alan Hamilton
Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop 1632
33001cc – 6000cc15NGK Janson Flag of New Zealand.svg Peter Janson
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Larry Perkins
Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback 16213
43001cc – 6000cc25 Bill Patterson Racing Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Brock
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Phil Brock
Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback 1621
53001cc – 6000cc8 Marlboro Holden Dealer Team Flag of Australia (converted).svg Charlie O'Brien
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ron Harrop
Holden LX Torana SL/R 5000 A9X 4-Door 16210
62001cc – 3000cc33Amco Pty Limited Flag of Australia (converted).svg Barry Seton
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Don Smith
Ford Capri Mk.I 15427
73001cc – 6000cc26 Bill Patterson Racing Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tony Roberts
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Doug Chivas
Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 15421
8Up to 2000cc58Brian Foley Pty Limited Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Derek Bell
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Garry Leggatt
Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV 15037
9Up to 2000cc69Brian Wood Ford Flag of Australia (converted).svg Rod Stevens
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tony Farrell
Ford Escort RS2000 Mk.I 15041
103001cc – 6000cc12Pioneer Electronics Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ron Dickson
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Fred Gibson
Ford XB Falcon GT Hardtop 14722
11Up to 2000cc59Douglas Hi Fi Flag of Australia (converted).svg Frank Porter
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jim Murcott
Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTAm 14647
12Up to 2000cc61Ray Gulson Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ray Gulson
Flag of Australia (converted).svg David Crowther
Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV 14548
132001cc – 3000cc43Larry Dixon's Great Doncaster Road Motor Show Flag of Australia (converted).svg Nick Louis
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ted Brewster
Mazda RX-3 14545
142001cc – 3000cc38Quick Fit Spares and Accessories Flag of Australia (converted).svg Phil McDonnell
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jim Hunter
BMW 3.0Si 14435
152001cc – 3000cc45Mayrack Manufacturers Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Gary Cooke
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ben Penhall
Mazda RX-3 14351
162001cc – 3000cc46Bill Shiells Flag of New Zealand.svg Bill Shiells
Flag of New Zealand.svg Frank Radisich
Mazda RX-3 14258
173001cc – 6000cc30Scotty Taylor Holden Flag of Australia (converted).svg Alan "Scotty" Taylor
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kevin Kennedy
Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 14125
183001cc – 6000cc4John Goss Racing Pty Limited Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jack Brabham
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Geoff Brabham
Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop 1419
19Up to 2000cc51Kevin Fischer Flag of Australia (converted).svg Eric Boord
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Keith Poole
Ford Escort RS2000 Mk.II 13842
20Up to 2000cc55Terry Daly Flag of Australia (converted).svg Terry Daly
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Barry Jones
Ford Escort RS2000 Mk.II 13743
21Up to 2000cc63Robin Dudfield Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robin Dudfield
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tony Niovanni
Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV 13156
222001cc – 3000cc32James Mason Motors Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lynn Brown
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bruce Stewart
Mazda RX-3 12940
DNF3001cc – 6000cc11Bob Forbes Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bob Forbes
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kevin Bartlett
Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback 14711
DNF3001cc – 6000cc20Roadways/Gown Hindhaugh Flag of Australia (converted).svg Garth Wigston
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bruce Hindhaugh
Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback 14414
DNF3001cc – 6000cc6Craven Mild Racing Flag of Australia (converted).svg Allan Grice
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Frank Gardner
Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback 1404
DNF3001cc – 6000cc13 Bryan Byrt Ford Flag of Australia (converted).svg Dick Johnson
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Vern Schuppan
Ford XB Falcon GT Hardtop 12415
DNF3001cc – 6000cc5John Goss Racing Pty Limited Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Goss
Flag of France.svg Henri Pescarolo
Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop 11316
DNF3001cc – 6000cc7 Ron Hodgson Motors Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bob Morris
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Fitzpatrick
Holden LX Torana SL/R 5000 A9X 4-Door 1117
DNFUp to 2000cc56De Bortolis Wines Pty Limited Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bruce Hodgson
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Dave Morrow
Ford Escort RS2000 Mk.II 10752
DNF3001cc – 6000cc24 Bill Patterson Racing Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gerry Marshall
Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Basil van Rooyen
Holden LX Torana SL/R 5000 A9X 4-Door 10718
DNFUp to 2000cc68Chevelle Motors Pty Limited Flag of Australia (converted).svg Phil Ward
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Phil Lucas
BMW 2002 Tii 10655
DNF2001cc – 3000cc42Craven Mild Racing Flag of Japan.svg Yoshimi Katayama
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Geoff Leeds
Mazda RX-3 10338
NC3001cc – 6000cc23Rusty French Flag of Australia (converted).svg Rusty French
Flag of New Zealand.svg Leo Leonard
Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop 9917
DNF2001cc – 3000cc34Amco Pty Limited Flag of Australia (converted).svg Russell Skaife
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Sue Ransom
Ford Capri Mk.I 9836
DNFUp to 2000cc67Bob Glazier Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Granger
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ian Richards
BMW 2002 Tii 9657
DNF2001cc – 3000cc40ATP (Australia) Pty Limited Flag of Australia (converted).svg Alan Cant
Flag of Japan.svg Satoru Nakajima
Ford Capri Mk.I 9532
DNF2001cc – 3000cc47Brian Wood Ford Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ray Farrar
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Geoff Wade
Ford Capri Mk.I 9360
DNF3001cc – 6000cc14 Marlboro Holden Dealer Team Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Harvey
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wayne Negus
Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback 918
DNF3001cc – 6000cc19Ian Diffen Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ian Diffen
Flag of New Zealand.svg Tim Slako
Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 9019
DNFUp to 2000cc49Bob Holden Shell Sport Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lyndon Arnel
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Richard Carter
Ford Escort RS2000 Mk.II 8846
DNFUp to 2000cc50Bob Holden Shell Sport Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bob Holden
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ian Messner
Ford Escort RS2000 Mk.II 8449
NC3001cc – 6000cc28Henderson's Federal Spring Works Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jim Keogh
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Graham Ritter
Ford XB Falcon GT Hardtop 8220
DNFUp to 2000cc60Peter Williamson Pty Limited Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Williamson
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Gary Scott
Toyota Celica 7634
DNF2001cc – 3000cc41Warren Torr Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Duggan
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brian Wheeler
Mazda RX-3 7244
DNFUp to 2000cc62Gill Gordon Alfa Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Hopwood
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Warwick Henderson
Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTAm 6553
DNFUp to 2000cc53Lennox Motors Flag of Australia (converted).svg Chris Heyer
Flag of Germany.svg Rudi Dahlhauser
Volkswagen Golf GTi 6250
DNF3001cc – 6000cc29Bond's Coats Patents Flag of Australia (converted).svg Graham Ryan
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Phillip Arnull
Holden LX Torana SL/R 5000 A9X 4-Door 5723
DNF3001cc – 6000cc10Melford Motors Flag of New Zealand.svg Jim Richards
Flag of New Zealand.svg Rod Coppins
Ford XB Falcon GT Hardtop 536
DNFUp to 2000cc54Nev Ham Pty Limited Flag of Australia (converted).svg Rod Morris
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Paul Gulson
Ford Escort RS2000 Mk.II 4654
DNF2001cc – 3000cc36Les Grose Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bill Stanley
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Les Grose
Ford Capri Mk.I 4633
DNF2001cc – 3000cc37Lakis Manticas Flag of Australia (converted).svg Graham Moore
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lakis Manticas
Ford Capri RS3100 Mk.I 4628
DNF3001cc – 6000cc22Pioneer Electronics Flag of Australia (converted).svg Warren Cullen
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brian Sampson
Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback 3924
DNF3001cc – 6000cc18Brian Wood Ford Flag of Australia (converted).svg Murray Carter
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bob Stevens
Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop 3812
DNF3001cc – 6000cc3Bob Jane 2UW Racing Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bob Jane
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ian Geoghegan
Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback 355
DNF3001cc – 6000cc27Rod Donovan Flag of Australia (converted).svg Rod Donovan
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ron Lindau
Ford XB Falcon GT Hardtop 3129
DNF3001cc – 6000cc17 Ron Hodgson Motors Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Rutherford
Flag of the United States.svg Janet Guthrie
Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback 1326
DNFUp to 2000cc65Ken Mathews Rose Bay Flag of Australia (converted).svg James Laing-Peach
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bill Evans
Triumph Dolomite Sprint 1239
DNFUp to 2000cc73Barry Sheales Holden Flag of Australia (converted).svg Allan Gough
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kel Gough
Holden Gemini 759
DNF2001cc – 3000cc39Lawrie Nelson Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lawrie Nelson
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brian Reed
Ford Capri Mk.I 630
DSQ2001cc – 3000cc46Terry Shiel Flag of Australia (converted).svg Terry Shiel
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Don Holland
Mazda RX-3 15231
DNQUp to 2000cc57Fred's Treads Pty Ltd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Gordon Rich
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ron Gillard
Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV

Statistics

References

  1. 1 2 3 Entry List, Official Programme, Hardie Ferodo 1000, Mount Panorama, Bathurst, 2 October 1977, pages 36 & 37