1998 FAI 1000

Last updated November 09, 2025

The 1998 FAI 1000 Classic was the second running of the Australia 1000 race, first held after the organisational split over the Bathurst 1000 the previous year. It was the 41st race that traces its lineage back to the 1960 Armstrong 500 held at Phillip Island. 1998 was the 36th year in which a touring car endurance race had been held at the Mount Panorama Circuit.

The event, which was contested by V8 Supercars, was held on 15 November 1998 at the Mount Panorama Circuit just outside Bathurst.

The event's naming rights sponsor was FAI Insurance.^[1]

Entry list

No.	Class	Drivers	Team (Sponsor)	Car	No.	Class	Drivers	Team (Sponsor)	Car
1	O	Craig Lowndes Mark Skaife	Holden Racing Team (Holden, Mobil 1)	Holden Commodore VT	35	O	Jason Bargwanna Jim Richards	Garry Rogers Motorsport (Valvoline, Cummins)	Holden Commodore VS
2	O	David Parsons Simon Wills	Gibson Motorsport (Wynn's)	Holden Commodore VS	36	P	Neil Schembri Gary Quartly	Schembri Motorsport (Gearbox Motorsport)	Holden Commodore VS
3	P	Steve Reed Trevor Ashby	Lansvale Smash Repairs (PPG)	Holden Commodore VS	37	O	Alan Taylor Bill Attard Stephen Bell	Alan Taylor Racing (The Xerox Shop)	Holden Commodore VS
4	O	Jason Bright Steven Richards	Stone Brothers Racing (Pirtek)	Ford Falcon EL	38	O	Mark Poole Tony Scott	James Rosenberg Racing (Gawler Farm Machinery)	Holden Commodore VS
5	O	Glenn Seton Neil Crompton	Glenn Seton Racing (Ford Credit)	Ford Falcon EL	39	P	Chris Smerdon Charlie Cox	Challenge Motorsport (Vittoria Coffee)	Holden Commodore VS
7	O	Darren Hossack Darren Pate	Gibson Motorsport (Wynn's)	Holden Commodore VS	43	O	Paul Weel Neal Bates	Paul Weel Racing (K&J Thermal Products)	Ford Falcon EL
9	O	Alan Jones Adam Macrow	Longhurst Racing (Komatsu)	Ford Falcon EL	44	P	Mal Rose Allan McCarthy	Mal Rose Racing (Ming, Steal Stopper)	Holden Commodore VS
10	O	Mark Larkham Brad Jones	Larkham Motorsport (Mitre 10)	Ford Falcon EL	45	P	Shane Beikoff Shane Cruickshank Andy Lloyd	Shane Cruickshank Racing (V8 Supercars Board Game, Union Steel)	Holden Commodore VS
11	O	Larry Perkins Russell Ingall	Perkins Engineering (Castrol)	Holden Commodore VT	46	O	John Faulkner Todd Kelly	John Faulkner Racing (Betta Electrical, Fisher & Paykel)	Holden Commodore VS
14	P	Mike Imrie Rodney Crick	Imrie Motorsport (Armor All, Saabwreck)	Holden Commodore VS	48	P	D'Arcy Russell Rod Wilson	Rod Smith Racing (Playboy)	Holden Commodore VS
16	O	Melinda Price Kerryn Brewer	Perkins Engineering (Castrol)	Holden Commodore VS	49	O	Greg Crick Dean Crosswell	Greg Crick Motorsport (Ericsson, Trust Bank)	Holden Commodore VS
17	O	Dick Johnson Steven Johnson	Dick Johnson Racing (Shell Helix)	Ford Falcon EL	50	O	Greg Murphy Mark Noske	Holden Racing Team (Holden, Mobil 1)	Holden Commodore VT
18	O	John Bowe Cameron McConville	Dick Johnson Racing (Shell Helix)	Ford Falcon EL	54	P	Simon Emerzidis Garry Willmington	Emerzidis Motorsport (Simon's Earthworks)	Ford Falcon EL
20	P	Darren Palmer Ian Palmer Domenic Beninca	Palmer Promotions (Hippies Underwear)	Holden Commodore VS	55	P	Rod Nash Darren Edwards	Rod Nash Racing (Autopro, Budweiser)	Holden Commodore VS
22	O	Danny Osborne Brett Peters	Colourscan Motorsport (Colourscan Printing)	Ford Falcon EL	60	P	Nathan Pretty Nicole Pretty Grant Johnson	Pretty Motorsport (DeWalt)	Holden Commodore VS
23	P	Ray Hislop Tim Briggs	Ray Hislop Racing (NHP Electrical Engineering)	Ford Falcon EF	72	P	Robert Smith David Parsons	Robert Smith Racing (Smith's Truck Sales)	Holden Commodore VS
24	O	Paul Romano Steven Ellery	Romano Racing (Siemens Mobile)	Holden Commodore VS	75	O	Anthony Tratt Bob Jones	Paul Little Racing (Toll)	Ford Falcon EL
25	O	Tony Longhurst Geoff Brabham	Longhurst Racing (Castrol)	Ford Falcon EL	77	P	Richard Mork Bill Sieders	V8 Racing (v8racing.com, CareFlight)	Holden Commodore VR
26	P	Peter Doulman John Cotter	Doulman Automotive (Gatorade)	Holden Commodore VS	79	P	Mike Conway Chris Hones	Conway Racing (OAMPS Insurance)	Ford Falcon EL
27	O	Terry Finnigan Peter Gazzard	Terry Finnigan Racing Team (Sony)	Holden Commodore VS	96	O	Wayne Gardner Paul Stokell	Wayne Gardner Racing (Coca-Cola, Donut King)	Holden Commodore VS
28	O	Mark McLaughlin Ashley Stichbury Kevin Waldock	Playscape Racing (CBS Drill and Blast)	Ford Falcon EF	99	P	Mick Donaher Dean Lindstrom	Clive Wiseman Racing (Ultra Tune)	Holden Commodore VS
32	O	Tomas Mezera Alain Menu	Tomas Mezera Motorsport (Densitron)	Holden Commodore VT	134	P	Alan Heath Ken Douglas	Power Racing (West Terrace 4x4)	Ford Falcon EL
34	O	Garth Tander Cameron McLean	Garry Rogers Motorsport (Valvoline, Cummins)	Holden Commodore VS
Source:^[2]

Icon	Class
O	Outright
P	Privateers

Results

Top 10 shootout

Pos	No	Driver	Team	Car	Time
1	1	Mark Skaife	Holden Racing Team	Holden VT Commodore	2:09.8945
2	25	Tony Longhurst	Longhurst Racing	Ford EL Falcon	2:10.4492
3	5	Glenn Seton	Glenn Seton Racing	Ford EL Falcon	2:10.8801
4	10	Mark Larkham	Larkham Motor Sport	Ford EL Falcon	2:10.9059
5	46	John Faulkner	John Faulkner Racing	Holden VS Commodore	2:12.2551
6	18	John Bowe	Dick Johnson Racing	Ford EL Falcon	2:12.3975
7	96	Wayne Gardner	Wayne Gardner Racing	Holden VS Commodore	2:12.9215
8	35	Jason Bargwanna	Garry Rogers Motorsport	Holden VS Commodore	2:12.9773
9	11	Larry Perkins	Perkins Engineering	Holden VT Commodore	2:13.0273
DNS	50	Greg Murphy	Holden Racing Team	Holden VT Commodore

* Mark Skaife became the first driver to lap a touring car around the 6.213 km (3.861 mi) Mount Panorama Circuit in under 2 minutes and 10 seconds. Skaife qualified his Holden Racing Team VT Commodore in 2:09.8945. His time was 2.93 seconds faster than his own time set in the twin-turbo, 4WD Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R in 1991, the fastest Group A time on The Mountain, and 3.96 seconds faster than George Fury's, Group C time in 1984 in a Nissan Bluebird Turbo on the old 6.172 km (3.835 mi) (pre-Caltex Chase) circuit.
* Greg Murphy did not take part in the Top 10 shootout after badly damaging his car in a crash during Friday practice.

Race

Pos	Class	No	Drivers	Team	Car	Laps	Time/Retired	Grid
1	OC	4	Jason Bright Steven Richards	Stone Brothers Racing	Ford EL Falcon	161	6:42:23.9039	15
2	OC	11	Larry Perkins Russell Ingall	Perkins Engineering	Holden VT Commodore	161	+10.3162	9
3	OC	35	Jason Bargwanna Jim Richards	Garry Rogers Motorsport	Holden VS Commodore	161	+10.6552	8
4	OC	10	Mark Larkham Brad Jones	Larkham Motor Sport	Ford EL Falcon	161	+1:43.4170	4
5	OC	5	Glenn Seton Neil Crompton	Glenn Seton Racing	Ford EL Falcon	160	+1 lap	3
6	OC	1	Craig Lowndes Mark Skaife	Holden Racing Team	Holden VT Commodore	159	+2 laps	1
7	OC	7	Darren Hossack Darren Pate	Gibson Motorsport	Holden VS Commodore	158	+3 laps	20
8	OC	25	Tony Longhurst Geoff Brabham	Longhurst Racing	Ford EL Falcon	157	+4 laps	2
9	OC	43	Paul Weel Neal Bates	Paul Weel Racing	Ford EL Falcon	155	+6 laps	22
10	CT	44	Mal Rose Allan McCarthy	Mal Rose Racing	Holden VS Commodore	154	+7 laps	27
11	OC	16	Melinda Price Kerryn Brewer	Perkins Engineering	Holden VS Commodore	151	+10 laps	33
12	OC	24	Paul Romano Steven Ellery	Romano Racing	Holden VS Commodore	151	+10 laps	17
13	OC	96	Wayne Gardner Paul Stokell	Wayne Gardner Racing	Holden VS Commodore	149	+12 laps	7
14	CT	23	Ray Hislop Tim Briggs	Briggs Motor Sport	Ford EL Falcon	147	+14 laps	36
15	OC	37	Alan Taylor Bill Attard Stephen Bell	Scotty Taylor Racing	Holden VS Commodore	146	+15 laps	42
16	CT	48	D'arcy Russell Rod Wilson	Rod Smith Racing	Holden VS Commodore	144	+17 laps	41
17	CT	79	Mike Conway Chris Hones	Cadillac Productions	Ford EL Falcon	144	+17 laps	32
18	CT	26	Peter Doulman John Cotter	Doulman Automotive	Holden VS Commodore	141	+20 laps	24
19	CT	45	Shane Beikoff Shane Cruickshank Andy Lloyd	Shane Cruickshank	Holden VS Commodore	134	+27 laps	44
20	CT	14	Mike Imrie Rodney Crick	Imrie Motorsport	Holden VS Commodore	122	+39 laps	29
DNF	OC	27	Terry Finnigan Peter Gazzard	Terry Finnigan	Holden VS Commodore	136	Engine	14
DNF	OC	46	John Faulkner Todd Kelly	John Faulkner Racing	Holden VS Commodore	136	Engine	5
DNF	CT	3	Steve Reed Trevor Ashby	Lansvale Smash Repairs	Holden VS Commodore	131	Electrical	23
DNF	CT	20	Ian Palmer Domenic Beninca Darren Palmer	Palmer Promotions	Holden VS Commodore	121	Crash	38
DNF	OC	22	Danny Osborne Brett Peters	Colourscan Racing	Ford EL Falcon	115	Diff failure	31
DNF	CT	54	Simon Emerzidis Garry Willmington	Emerzidis Motorsport	Ford EL Falcon	101	Engine	26
DNF	CT	36	Neil Schembri Gary Quartly	Schembri Motorsport	Holden VS Commodore	100	Engine	40
DNF	OC	50	Greg Murphy Mark Noske	Holden Racing Team	Holden VT Commodore	86	Tyre failures	10
DNF	CT	60	Nathan Pretty Grant Johnson Nicole Pretty	Pretty Motorsport	Holden VS Commodore	85	Alternator	39
DNF	OC	18	John Bowe Cameron McConville	Dick Johnson Racing	Ford EL Falcon	80	Engine	6
DNF	OC	17	Dick Johnson Steven Johnson	Dick Johnson Racing	Ford EL Falcon	60	Crash	12
DNF	CT	39	Chris Smerdon Charlie Cox	Challenge Motorsport	Holden VS Commodore	60	Tailshaft	30
DNF	OC	9	Alan Jones Adam Macrow	Longhurst Racing	Ford EL Falcon	58	Crash	11
DNF	OC	2	David Parsons Simon Wills	Gibson Motorsport	Holden VS Commodore	57	Crash	18
DNF	CT	72	Robert Smith David Parsons	Robert Smith Racing	Holden VS Commodore	56	Crash	28
DNF	CT	134	Alan Heath Ken Douglas	Power Racing	Ford EL Falcon	54	Crash	34
DNF	OC	34	Garth Tander Cameron McLean	Garry Rogers Motorsport	Holden VS Commodore	49	Suspension	13
DNF	CT	77	Richard Mork Bill Sieders	V8 Racing	Holden VR Commodore	48	Engine	45
DNF	OC	75	Anthony Tratt Bob Jones Garry Waldon	Paul Little Racing	Ford EL Falcon	47	Engine	25
DNF	OC	28	Mark McLaughlin Ashley Stichbury Kevin Waldock	Playscape Racing	Ford EL Falcon	40	Electrical	35
DNF	OC	38	Mark Poole Tony Scott	James Rosenberg Racing	Holden VS Commodore	34	Engine	21
DNF	CT	55	Rod Nash Darren Edwards	Rod Nash Racing	Holden VS Commodore	9	Tailshaft	43
DNF	OC	32	Tomas Mezera Alain Menu	Tomas Mezera Motorsport	Holden VT Commodore	0	Clutch	19
DSQ	OC	49	Greg Crick Dean Crosswell	Greg Crick Motorsport	Holden VS Commodore	151^[3]	Excluded	17
DNS^[4]	CT	99	Mick Donaher Dean Lindstrom	Clive Wiseman Racing	Holden VS Commodore		Engine failure on warm-up lap	37
Source:^[5]

Broadcast

Network 10 broadcast the race for the second consecutive year, dating back to the 1997 5.0L race. Barry Sheene provided commentary in the booth for the first part of the race before moving to pit-lane for the remainder.

Network 10
Host: Bill Woods Booth: Leigh Diffey, Mark Oastler, Barry Sheene Pit-lane: Greg Rust

References

↑ Joyce, Adam (18 March 2001). "FAI permanently ends Bathurst 1000 race sponsorship". Western Advocate. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
↑ Noonan, Aaron (25 November 2021). Bathurst Every Car, the Photographic History 1990-1999. AN1 Media. p. 194–209. ISBN 9780648786344.
↑ V8 Bathurst 2, 1998, page 243
↑ V8 Bathurst 2, 1998, page 244
↑ "1998 FAI 1000 Classic". racing-reference.info. 13 October 2020.

Statistics

Provisional position - #5 Glenn Seton - 2:11.4634
Pole position - #1 Mark Skaife - 2:09.8945
Fastest lap - #1 Craig Lowndes - 2:12.7771
Average speed - 149 km/h

External links

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[1] Joyce, Adam (18 March 2001). "FAI permanently ends Bathurst 1000 race sponsorship". Western Advocate. Retrieved 13 October 2024.

[2] Noonan, Aaron (25 November 2021). Bathurst Every Car, the Photographic History 1990-1999. AN1 Media. p. 194–209. ISBN 9780648786344.

[3] V8 Bathurst 2, 1998, page 243

[4] V8 Bathurst 2, 1998, page 244

[5] "1998 FAI 1000 Classic". racing-reference.info. 13 October 2020.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

v t e Phillip Island 500 miles / Bathurst 500 miles /1000 km
Phillip Island 500	1960 1961 1962
Bathurst 500	1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972
Bathurst 1000	1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Australia 1000	1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
List of Bathurst 1000 vehicles