Moffat earns rightful place in Hall of Fame

IT WAS one of the most competitive and captivating eras in Australian motorsport.

Classic Ford versus Holden battles, iconic cars and names that have become etched into motorsport history. Allan Moffat is one of those. The Canadian-born racer was a star of Australian touring car racing in the 1970s and 1980s when he forged one of the sport’s greatest and most memorable on-track rivalries with the late Holden legend Peter Brock.

A four-time Australian touring car champion, Moffat won 32 of his 100 starts between 1965 and 1989, and thrived in the biggest races on the calendar.

He claimed four victories at Bathurst’s famous Mount Panorama and six wins at the historic Sandown racetrack.

Along with Brock, the pair are the only drivers to have conquered Bathurst in both its 500-mile and 1000km formats.

Now, the 78-year-old will be recognised for his place as a legend of Australian motorsport with his induction into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame next month.

Moffat becomes only the fourth motorsport identity to be inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame alongside Brock and Formula One greats Alan Jones and Sir Jack Brabham.

Moffat claimed the Australian touring car championship in 1973, 1976, 1977 and 1983.

Moffat twice held the record for most touring car championship round wins, initially with 25 and then 32, with both benchmarks eventually overtaken by Brock during their epic rivalry. But while the Ford and Holden stars waged fierce battles on the track, their relationship was anything but frosty away from pit lane.

“Behind doors and away from the track we were actually really good friends,’’ Moffat said. “I had the utmost respect for him. [The on-track] rivalry kept us both going.’’