1977 Hardie-Ferodo 1000


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. 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 and won the race instead of playing to team orders 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 2014 race this was the last time that number would be used by anyone other than Dick Johnson or his team Dick Johnson Racing.
With the exception of 1988, 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 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 1978-1981 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.
and Jacky Ickx won the race driving a Ford Falcon XC
and Larry Perkins placed third in a Holden LX Torana SS 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 RX3, 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 that official qualifying would count for the entire grid. From 1978, race broadcaster Channel 7 and the Australian Racing Drivers Club 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
Pole25Bill Patterson Racing Peter BrockHolden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback2:24.1
22Moffat Ford Dealers Colin BondFord XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop2:25.2
31Moffat Ford Dealers Allan MoffatFord XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop2:25.6
46Craven Mild Racing Allan GriceHolden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback2:25.8
53Bob Jane 2UW Racing Ian GeogheganHolden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback2:25.9
610Melford Motors Jim RichardsFord XB Falcon GT Hardtop2:26.0
77Ron Hodgson Motors Bob MorrisHolden LX Torana SL/R 5000 A9X 4-Door2:26.6
814Holden Dealer Team John HarveyHolden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback2:26.8
94John Goss Racing Pty Limited Jack BrabhamFord XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop2:26.9
108Holden Dealer Team Charlie O'BrienHolden LX Torana SL/R 5000 A9X 4-Door2:27.2

Results

PosClassNoEntrantDriversCarLapsQual
Pos
13001cc – 6000cc1Moffat Ford Dealers Allan Moffat
Jacky Ickx
Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop1633
23001cc – 6000cc2Moffat Ford Dealers Colin Bond
Alan Hamilton
Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop1632
33001cc – 6000cc15NGK Janson Peter Janson
Larry Perkins
Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback16213
43001cc – 6000cc25Bill Patterson Racing Peter Brock
Phil Brock
Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback1621
53001cc – 6000cc8Marlboro Holden Dealer Team Charlie O'Brien
Ron Harrop
Holden LX Torana SL/R 5000 A9X 4-Door16210
62001cc – 3000cc33Amco Pty Limited Barry Seton
Don Smith
Ford Capri Mk.I15427
73001cc – 6000cc26Bill Patterson Racing Tony Roberts
Doug Chivas
Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L3415421
8Up to 2000cc58Brian Foley Pty Limited Derek Bell
Garry Leggatt
Alfa Romeo 200015037
9Up to 2000cc69Brian Wood Ford Rod Stevens
Tony Farrell
Ford Escort RS2000 Mk.I15041
103001cc – 6000cc12Pioneer Electronics Ron Dickson
Fred Gibson
Ford XB Falcon GT Hardtop14722
11Up to 2000cc59Douglas Hi Fi Frank Porter
Jim Murcott
Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTAm14647
12Up to 2000cc61Ray Gulson Ray Gulson
David Growther
Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV14548
132001cc – 3000cc43Larry Dixon's Great Doncaster Road Motor Show Nick Louis
Ted Brewster
Mazda RX-314545
142001cc – 3000cc38Quick Fit Spares and Accessories Phil McDonnell
Jim Hunter
BMW 3.0Si14435
152001cc – 3000cc45Mayrack Manufacturers Pty Ltd Gary Cooke
Ben Penhall
Mazda RX-314351
162001cc – 3000cc46Bill Shiells Bill Shiells
Frank Radisich
Mazda RX-314258
173001cc – 6000cc30Scotty Taylor Holden Alan "Scotty" Taylor
Kevin Kennedy
Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L3414125
183001cc – 6000cc4John Goss Racing Pty Limited Jack Brabham
Geoff Brabham
Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop1419
19Up to 2000cc51Kevin Fischer Eric Boord
Keith Poole
Ford Escort RS2000 Mk.II13842
20Up to 2000cc55Terry Daly Terry Daly
Barry Jones
Ford Escort RS2000 Mk.II13743
21Up to 2000cc63Robin Dudfield Robin Dudfield
Tony Niovanni
Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV13156
222001cc – 3000cc32James Mason Motors Pty Ltd Lynn Brown
Bruce Stewart
Mazda RX-312940
DNF3001cc – 6000cc11Bob Forbes Bob Forbes
Kevin Bartlett
Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback14711
DNF3001cc – 6000cc20Roadways/Gown Hindhaugh Garth Wigston
Bruce Hindhaugh
Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback14414
DNF3001cc – 6000cc6Craven Mild Racing Allan Grice
Frank Gardner
Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback1404
DNF3001cc – 6000cc13Bryan Byrt Ford Dick Johnson
Vern Schuppan
Ford XB Falcon GT Hardtop12415
DNF3001cc – 6000cc5John Goss Racing Pty Limited John Goss
Henri Pescarolo
Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop11316
DNF3001cc – 6000cc7Ron Hodgson Motors Bob Morris
John Fitzpatrick
Holden LX Torana SL/R 5000 A9X 4-Door1117
DNFUp to 2000cc56De Bortolis Wines Pty Limited Bruce Hodgson
Dave Morrow
Ford Escort RS2000 Mk.II10752
DNF3001cc – 6000cc24Bill Patterson Racing Gerry Marshall
Basil van Rooyen
Holden LX Torana SL/R 5000 A9X 4-Door10718
DNFUp to 2000cc68Chevelle Motors Pty Limited Phil Ward
Phil Lucas
BMW 2002 Tii10655
DNF2001cc – 3000cc42Craven Mild Racing Yoshimi Katayama
Geoff Leeds
Mazda RX-310338
NC3001cc – 6000cc23Rusty French Rusty French
Leo Leonard
Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop9917
DNF2001cc – 3000cc34Amco Pty Limited Russell Skaife
Sue Ransom
Ford Capri Mk.I9836
DNFUp to 2000cc67Bob Glazier Peter Granger
Ian Richards
BMW 2002 Tii9657
DNF2001cc – 3000cc40ATP Pty Limited Alan Cant
Satoru Nakajima
Ford Capri Mk.I9532
DNF2001cc – 3000cc47Brian Wood Ford Ray Farrar
Geoff Wade
Ford Capri Mk.I9360
DNF3001cc – 6000cc14Marlboro Holden Dealer Team John Harvey
Wayne Negus
Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback918
DNF3001cc – 6000cc19Ian Diffen Ian Diffen
Tim Slako
Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L349019
DNFUp to 2000cc49Bob Holden Shell Sport Lyndon Arnel
Richard Carter
Ford Escort RS2000 Mk.II8846
DNFUp to 2000cc50Bob Holden Shell Sport Bob Holden
Ian Messner
Ford Escort RS2000 Mk.II8449
NC3001cc – 6000cc28Henderson's Federal Spring Works Jim Keogh
Graham Ritter
Ford XB Falcon GT Hardtop8220
DNFUp to 2000cc60Peter Williamson Pty Limited Peter Williamson
Gary Scott
Toyota Celica7634
DNF2001cc – 3000cc41Warren Torr John Duggan
Brian Wheeler
Mazda RX-37244
DNFUp to 2000cc62Gill Gordon Alfa Peter Hopwood
Warwick Henderson
Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTAm6553
DNFUp to 2000cc53Lennox Motors Chris Heyer
Rudi Dahlhauser
Volkswagen Golf GTi6250
DNF3001cc – 6000cc29Bond's Coats Patents Graham Ryan
Phillip Arnull
Holden LX Torana SL/R 5000 A9X 4-Door5723
DNF3001cc – 6000cc10Melford Motors Jim Richards
Rod Coppins
Ford XB Falcon GT Hardtop536
DNFUp to 2000cc54Nev Ham Pty Limited Rod Morris
Paul Gulson
Ford Escort RS2000 Mk.II4654
DNF2001cc – 3000cc36Les Grose Bill Stanley
Les Grose
Ford Capri Mk.I4633
DNF2001cc – 3000cc37Lakis Manticas Graham Moore
Lakis Manticas
Ford Capri RS3100 Mk.I4628
DNF3001cc – 6000cc22Pioneer Electronics Warren Cullen
Brian Sampson
Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback3924
DNF3001cc – 6000cc18Brian Wood Ford Murray Carter
Bob Stevens
Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop3812
DNF3001cc – 6000cc3Bob Jane 2UW Racing Bob Jane
Ian Geoghegan
Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback355
DNF3001cc – 6000cc27Rod Donovan Rod Donovan
Ron Lindau
Ford XB Falcon GT Hardtop3129
DNF3001cc – 6000cc17Ron Hodgson Motors Johnny Rutherford
Janet Guthrie
Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback1326
DNFUp to 2000cc65Ken Mathews Rose Bay James Laing-Peach
Bill Evans
Triumph Dolomite Sprint1239
DNFUp to 2000cc73Barry Sheales Holden Allan Gough
Kel Gough
Holden Gemini759
DNF2001cc – 3000cc39Lawrie Nelson Lawrie Nelson
Brian Reed
Ford Capri Mk.I630
DSQ2001cc – 3000cc46Terry Shiel Terry Shiel
Don Holland
Mazda RX-315231
DNQUp to 2000cc57Freds Treds Pty Ltd Gordon Rich
Ron Gillard
Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV

Statistics