1979 Australian Drivers' Championship


A 1979 Australian Drivers' Championship was a CAMS sanctioned national motor racing title for drivers of Australian Formula 1 racing cars. The championship winner was awarded the 1979 CAMS Gold Star. The title, which was the 23rd Australian Drivers' Championship, was won by Johnnie Walker, driving a Lola T332.

Schedule

The championship was contested over a three round series with one race per round.
RoundNameCircuitStateDateRound winnerCarReport
1Australian Grand PrixWanneroo RacewayWestern Australia11 MarchJohnnie WalkerLola T332 ChevroletReport
2Oran ParkNew South Wales29 JulyJohn BoweElfin MR8 Chevrolet
3Rothmans 10,000SandownVictoria9 SeptemberAlfredo CostanzoLola T430 Chevrolet

Points system

Championship points were awarded on a 9-6-4-3-2-1 basis to the first six placegetters in each race.

Results

PositionDriverNo.CarEntrantWanOraSanPoints
1Johnnie Walker25Lola T332 ChevroletMagnum Wheels94619
2John Bowe11Elfin MR8 ChevroletAnsett Team Elfin69-15
3Alfredo Costanzo84Lola T430 ChevroletPorsche Cars Australia--99
4Rob Butcher10Lola T332 ChevroletRob Butcher4-48
4John Smith71Ralt RT1 FordJohn Smith3328
6John Wright76Lola T400 ChevroletJohn Wright-6-6
7Graham McRae2McRae GM3Settlement Road Wreckers--33
8Chas Talbot3Lola T332CChas Talbot-2-2
8Terry Hook15Lola T332 ChevroletTerry Hook2--2
10Peter Edwards21Lola T332PJ Edwards--11
10Paul Hamilton88Elfin 600-1-1
10Barry Singleton19Gardos GL1 ChevroletBarry Singleton1--1

Champiomship name

Sources of the time differ as to the actual name of the championship with both Australian Drivers' Championship and Australian Formula 1 Championship being used. "Australian Drivers' Championship" is used by Confederation of Australian Motor Sport in its historic documentation and that term has been used here.