Toowoomba Ford enthusiast to soak up Bathurst anniversary
MOTOR RACING: Toowoomba motoring enthusiast Tony Murphy wasn’t there in 1977 to witness first hand one of Australia’s most famous car racing finishes.
But he’ll get the chance to relive the moment of Ford’s memorable Bathurst 1000 one-two placings when fans gather at Mt Panorama this weekend to celebrate the race’s 40th anniversary.
The event coincides with the Hardtop Anniversary, held every two years for XA, XB and XC Falcon Coupes and Landau’s.
Murphy will be amongst hundreds of Ford and motor racing disciples converging on Bathurst to mark the Great Race’s closest and most controversial finish.
The 1000-kilometre race was won by Moffatt (car number one), just centimetres ahead of team-mate Colin Bond in car number two after Bond sacrificed his own winning chance to let his team leader claim the race-winning glory.
Murphy is a devoted Ford fan and owner and sets off for Bathurst today in his original six-cylinder XA Fairmont Hardtop where he’ll mix with some of the star performers of Australia’s motoring past.
“I was at the 1976 race but unfortunately I wasn’t there the next year and missed probably the most famous finish in Bathurst history,” Murphy said.
“The anniversary celebrations start on Friday night with people from all over Australia, including some from Perth driving to Bathurst to be a part of it.
“There is a Saturday night dinner and a big show on the circuit on Sunday.”
Murphy was a Moffatt admirer during the ex-Canadian’s barnstorming racing days highlighted by his intense rivalry with the Holden Dealer Team and its star nine-time Bathurst winner Peter Brock.
Murphy is also the proud owner of an XC V8 Ford which carries a full set of Moffatt BBS wheels.
“Allan Moffatt and Colin Bond will both there with some other ex drivers including Alan Hamilton, Murray Carter and Fred Gibson,” Murphy said.