1985 Australian Touring Car Championship

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The 1985 Australian Touring Car Championship was a CAMS sanctioned motor racing title for drivers of Touring Cars. It was the 26th running of the Australian Touring Car Championship and the first to be contested using regulations based on the FIA's International Group A regulations after having been run under CAMS home grown Group C rules between 1973 and 1984. The championship began on 10 February 1985 at Winton Motor Raceway (the track's first ever ATCC race) and ended on 14 July at Oran Park Raceway after ten rounds.

The championship was won by Jim Richards driving a BMW 635 CSi.

Season summary

Triple Bathurst winner Jim Richards won his and BMW's first Australian Touring Car Championship driving a 3.5-litre 6 cyl BMW 635 CSi entered by JPS Team BMW. Defending champion Dick Johnson placed second in his Ford Mustang (the first time a Mustang had been seen in the ATCC since 1973), with Peter Brock finishing third in his Holden VK Commodore.

The first round of the series at Winton also created history when for the first time since the ATCC was first held in 1960, no Holden of any sort was on the grid. The race also saw the first ever ATCC race win by a BMW with Richards winning by a lap from his new JPS teammate, fellow New Zealander Neville Crichton. Richards' win in the BMW also saw the first ATCC round win by a European car since Jim McKeown won the 7th and final round of the 1970 ATCC at Symmons Plains in a Porsche 911S.

Swedish marque Volvo also joined the winners list when Kiwi Robbie Francevic won Round 3 at Symmons Plains in Tasmania in his Volvo 240T. Still a resident of Auckland, Francevic's win also saw him become the first non-Australian resident to win an ATCC race. The big Kiwi's win in Tasmania in the turbo Volvo was also the first of what would be an eventual 55 ATCC round wins (out of a possible 72) for cars powered by turbocharged engines up until the end of Group A racing in 1992. It was not the first turbocharged car to win an ATCC race however, as George Fury had won the Lakeside round in 1984 in a Nissan Bluebird Turbo.

Richards (Winton, Wanneroo, Adelaide, Calder, Surfers, Lakeside and Amaroo, which staged its first ATCC race since 1978), Brock (Sandown) and Francevic (Symmons Plains and Oran Park) were the only drivers to win a race in the series. That actually gave New Zealand born drivers 9 wins out of the 10 rounds, a record for non-Australian wins that still stands as of 2016.

Jim Richards and John Smith in his Toyota Team Australia Corolla were the only drivers to finish each round of the series. Smith won the Up to 2000cc class at the first nine rounds of the series before finishing a close second behind teammate Drew Price in the final round at Oran Park.

Other drivers/cars who made an impression in Australia's first foray into Group A included Sydney privateer Garry Willmington in his privately entered Jaguar XJS (built from a second hand road car) with its 5.3 litre, V12 engine which proved fast but underdone thanks to Willmington's small budget. The Jaguar was often the fastest car in a straight line when it appeared, but Willmington's lack of budget to develop the car saw it lack the handling needed to be competitive on the smaller Australian tracks. Also impressing were Perth based expat Kiwi Tim Slako in an ex-Andy Rouse BTCC Rover Vitesse powered by a 3.5 litre V8, another Kiwi in Jim Richards' JPS teammate Neville Crichton in his BMW, and yet another Kiwi Kent Baigent who joined the series in Adelaide driving his ex-Schnitzer Motorsport BMW 635. Also impressing with giant killing performances was 1980 Formula One World Champion Alan Jones in Colin Bond's second Network Alfa team Alfa Romeo GTV6. Jones, in an Luigi Racing (ETCC) built GTV6 generally out-performed Bond who drove his Alfa which had been converted from Group E to Group A specification in 1984. Jones, contesting his first ever ATCC finished 8th in the championship despite not contesting the final three rounds (Jones would return full-time to F1 in late 1985). Don Smith and Lawrie Nelson both drove a privately entered Ford Mustang each, and even though they would on occasions both achieve decent results in qualifying, lack of reliability and funding kept them well off the pace of Johnson's front running Greens-Tuf Zakespeed Ford Mustang GT.

Teams and drivers

Lawrie Nelson's Ford Mustang Mustangnelson.jpg
Lawrie Nelson's Ford Mustang

The following drivers and teams competed in the 1985 Australian Touring Car Championship.

TeamCarClassNoDriver
Masterton Homes Holden VK Commodore 3001 to 6000cc2 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Steve Masterton
H. Kent Baigent BMW 635 CSi 2001 to 3000cc3 Flag of New Zealand.svg Kent Baigent
Mobil Holden Dealer Team Holden VK Commodore3001 to 6000cc05 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Brock
Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Harvey *
7 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Brock*
Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Harvey
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Larry Perkins
Flag of Australia (converted).svg David Parsons
Toyota Team Australia Toyota Corolla Up to 2000cc10 Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Smith
11 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Drew Price
Garry Willmington Performance Jaguar XJ-S 3001 to 6000cc12 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Garry Willmington
Bob Holden Motors Toyota Sprinter Up to 2000cc13 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bob Holden
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Mike Quinn
Palmer Tube Mills Ford Mustang GT 3001 to 6000cc17 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Dick Johnson
Ken Mathews Prestige CarsHolden VK Commodore3001 to 6000cc19 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ken Mathews
Jim Keogh AutomotiveHolden VK Commodore3001 to 6000cc20 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jim Keogh
Mark Petch Motorsport Volvo 240T 2001 to 3000cc21 Flag of New Zealand.svg Robbie Francevic
Glenn Molloy BMW 635 CSi 3001 to 6000cc22 Flag of New Zealand.svg Glenn Molloy
JPS Team BMW BMW 323i 2001 to 3000cc23 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tony Longhurst
BMW 635 CSi3001 to 6000cc31 Flag of New Zealand.svg Neville Crichton
62 Flag of New Zealand.svg Jim Richards
Network Alfa Alfa Romeo GTV6 2001 to 3000cc26 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Colin Bond
27 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Alan Jones
The Toy ShopAlfa Romeo GTV62001 to 3000cc27 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Gregg Hansford
Motorsport PerformanceFord Mustang GT3001 to 6000cc33 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Don Smith
Ken Harrison Ford Escort Mk.II Up to 2000cc34 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ken Harrison
Mike Minear Racing Volvo 360GLT Up to 2000cc36 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Mike Minear
Ross BurbidgeMazda RX-72001 to 3000cc46 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ross Burbidge
Jagparts Triumph Dolomite Sprint Up to 2000cc49 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Martin Power
Chris Heyer Audi 5+5 2001 to 3000cc53 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Chris Heyer
JL Hazelton Ford Capri Mk.III 2001 to 3000cc57 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Laurie Hazelton
Capri ComponentsFord Mustang GT3001 to 6000cc64 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lawrie Nelson
John CraftFord Capri Mk.III2001 to 3000cc65 Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Craft
Ralliart Australia Mitsubishi Starion 2001 to 3000cc66 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kevin Bartlett
Greville ArnelMitsubishi Starion2001 to 3000cc68 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Greville Arnel
Raymond Spencer Mazda RX-7 2001 to 3000cc70 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Raymond Spencer
Ian ThompsonBMW 323i2001 to 3000cc77 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ian Thompson
Peter Williamson Toyota Toyota Celica Supra 2001 to 3000cc77 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Williamson
Melbourne Brake & ClutchMitsubishi Starion2001 to 3000cc78 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brian Sampson
Phil ParsonsFord Capri Mk.III2001 to 3000cc79 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Phil Parsons
Alf Barbagallo Rover Vitesse 3001 to 6000cc96 Flag of New Zealand.svg Tim Slako
Russell WorthingtonMazda RX-72001 to 3000cc100 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Russell Worthington

* Peter Brock and John Harvey both drove #05 and #7 during the season.

Race calendar

The 1985 Australian Touring Car Championship was contested over a ten-round series with one race per round.

Rd.Race titleCircuitLocation / stateDateWinner [1] TeamReport
1 Winton Motor Raceway Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Benalla, Victoria 9–10 Feb Jim Richards JPS Team BMW
2Pye Audio Touring Car Race Sandown International Raceway Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Melbourne, Victoria 23–24 Feb Peter Brock Mobil Holden Dealer Team
3 Symmons Plains Raceway Flag of Tasmania.svg Launceston, Tasmania 10–11 Mar Robbie Francevic Mark Petch Motorsport
4 Wanneroo Park Flag of Western Australia.svg Perth, Western Australia 30–31 MarJim RichardsJPS Team BMW [2]
5 Motorcraft 100 Adelaide International Raceway Flag of South Australia.svg Virginia, South Australia 20–21 AprJim RichardsJPS Team BMW [3]
6 Eurovox Trophy Calder Park Raceway Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Melbourne, Victoria 27–28 AprJim RichardsJPS Team BMW
7 Gold Coast Bulletin Centenary Trophy [4] Surfers Paradise International Raceway Flag of Queensland.svg Surfers Paradise, Queensland 18–19 MayJim RichardsJPS Team BMW [5]
8FM104 Trophy Lakeside International Raceway Flag of Queensland.svg Brisbane, Queensland 22–23 JunJim RichardsJPS Team BMW [6]
9 Better Brakes 100 Amaroo Park Flag of New South Wales.svg Sydney, New South Wales 6–7 JulJim RichardsJPS Team BMW [7]
10 Castrol Grand Final Oran Park Raceway Flag of New South Wales.svg Sydney, New South Wales 12–13 JulRobbie FrancevicMark Petch Motorsport [8]

Classes

Cars competed in three classes determined by engine capacity.

Points system

Championship points were allocated on a three tier system, to Australian license holders only, for outright places gained in each round:

Outright Position [10] 1234567891011121314151617181920
Scale A30272421191715141312111098765432
Scale B2826232017151413121110987654321
Scale C2523201715131110987654321

Points from the best nine round results were retained by each driver, any other points not being included in the nett total.

Results

Pos [11] Driver [11] CarWin.San.Sym.Wan.Ade.Cal.Sur.Lak.Ama.Ora.Pts. [11]
1 Jim Richards BMW 635 CSi 1st2nd5th1st1st1st1st1st1st3rd218 (233)
2 Dick Johnson Ford Mustang GT Ret3rd2nd3rd3rd2nd4th2nd2nd2nd192
3 Peter Brock Holden VK Commodore 1st4th2nd2ndRet3rd3rd5th8th153
4 Neville Crichton BMW 635 CSi 2nd5th3rd4th4th3rd5th6th9thRet149
5 Robbie Francevic Volvo 240T 6th1st9thRet7th2nd4thRet1st143
6 Colin Bond Alfa Romeo GTV6 Ret12th8th8th6th6th16th5th4th4th127
7John Smith Toyota Corolla 7th9th10th11th12th11th10th8th10th15th110 (117)
8 Alan Jones Alfa Romeo GTV6 4th4th7th6th16th4th7thDNS108
9 Kevin Bartlett Mitsubishi Starion 3rd8thDNS7th8th9thDNSDNS75
10 Bob Holden Toyota Sprinter 8th15th11th12th14th14th15th15thRet72
11Jim Keogh Holden VK Commodore 7th6th10th17thRet11th9th12th54
12Kent Baigent BMW 635 CSi 5th8th8thRet7th13th51
13Drew Price Toyota Sprinter 13th12th10th11th14th50
14 Brian Sampson Mitsubishi Starion 5th11thRet10th20th11th48
15Tim Slako Rover Vitesse 5th9th8th6th47
16 Tony Longhurst BMW 323i 7th3rd12th46
17Mike Minear Volvo 360GLT 10thRet12th18th16th41
18Laurie Hazelton Ford Capri Mk.III 9thRet11th13th35
19 Lawrie Nelson Ford Mustang GT 6th16th9th10thRet32
20 John Harvey Holden VK Commodore 5th5th30
21Steve Masterton Holden VK Commodore Ret9thRetRet7th20
22Russell Worthington Mazda RX-7 13th11th18
23Ross Burbidge Mazda RX-7 14th12th16
24Peter Williamson Toyota Celica Supra 7thRet18thRet14
25 Larry Perkins Holden VK Commodore 6thRet13
= David Parsons Holden VK Commodore 6th13
27Garry Willmington Jaguar XJ-S Ret18th15thRet9th12
28Greville Arnel Mitsubishi Starion Ret10thRet11
= Gregg Hansford Alfa Romeo GTV6 10th11
=Ken Mathews Holden VK Commodore 13th12th11
=Martin Power Triumph Dolomite Sprint 14th19th11
32Raymond Spencer Mazda RX-7 13th8
33Ken Harrison Ford Escort Mk.II 17thRet15th7
=John Craft Ford Capri Mk.III 14th7
35Chris Heyer Audi 5+5 16th5
36Phil Parsons Ford Capri Mk.III 17th4
37Phil Lamour Triumph Dolomite Sprint 19th3
38Ian Thompson BMW 323i Ret20th1
=Brian Potts Holden VK Commodore 17th1
PosDriverCarWin.San.Sym.Wan.Ade.Cal.Sur.Lak.Ama.Ora.Pts
ColourResult
GoldWinner
SilverSecond place
BronzeThird place
GreenPoints finish
BlueNon-points finish
Non-classified finish (NC)
PurpleRetired (Ret)
RedDid not qualify (DNQ)
Did not pre-qualify (DNPQ)
BlackDisqualified (DSQ)
WhiteDid not start (DNS)
Withdrew (WD)
Race cancelled (C)
BlankDid not practice (DNP)
Did not arrive (DNA)
Excluded (EX)

See also

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References

  1. Australian Motor Racing Year 1985/86, pages 313–314
  2. 1985 ATCC Round 4 Barbagello
  3. 1985 ATCC Round 5 Adelaide International Raceway
  4. "1985 ATCC". The Programme Covers Project. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  5. 1985 ATCC Round 7 Surfers Paradise
  6. 1985 ATCC R8 Lakeside
  7. 1985 ATCC Round 9 Amaroo
  8. 1985 ATCC Round 10 Oran Park
  9. 1 2 CAMS Manual of Motor Sport, 1985, page 90
  10. CAMS Manual of Motor Sport, 1985, page 86
  11. 1 2 3 Graham Howard, Stewart Wilson, David Greenhalgh, The official history - Australian Touring Car Championship - 50 Years, page 261