Whaddayaknow
We’ve cast a keen eye over the various Group C XD and XE Falcons in these pages over the years and can now account for all but two of these boxy brutes. Back in issue #99 the call went out for information on the whereabouts of the Frank Saracino XD Falcon that raced brie y from late 1982 into early 1983. However, 18 months later we are none the wiser as to what became of that car.
Another XD Falcon racecar from the early 1980s of which little is known is the Ray Allford built #26 machine that debuted in 1980. It was brought to our attention by racing historian and researcher Scott Mackay. Scott had spotted Allford’s name and vehicle on entry lists and results sheets from ’80/’81 but couldn’t ever recall seeing a photo of this XD competing. Nor could AMC’s staff for that matter.
From what Scott can ascertain from the aforementioned results sheets, the Allford machine appeared at seven race meetings between September 1980 and November 1981. In a bid to learn more, Scott made some initial enquiries, which revealed that Ray, sadly, had passed away in 2012. At the time he was running Romsey British Automotive, in the town of Romsey, an hour’s drive north of Melbourne’s CBD.
When Scott rang RBA, his wife Lyn answered the phone and outlined details of her late husband’s racing career and put Scott in touch with former crewmember Rod Keiseker, who added more.
Ray Allford raced Ford Customlines in the mid 1960s in his native Tasmania, at Longford, Baskerville and Symmons Plains. He moved to Victoria in the late ’60s and raced an early model Holden and early model Falcons. In 1978 he bought a Falcon hardtop from Jim Keogh.
Allford raced this Falcon, updated to XC specs, into 1980, before it was replaced by the XD. Rod Keiseker says Ray obtained a bare XD Falcon bodyshell from the Ford proving ground. The car did not have a body number, so Ray gave it his own – ‘RA007.’
The XD debuted in Sandown’s 1980 Hang Ten 400 where he nished a credible 10th outright. All things considered, it was a successful debut for
the new car, particularly as it was black agged after suffering damage.
Allford’s next outing was Calder’s Australian Grand Prix meeting touring car support races. He
nished 16th in the rst 20 lapper, but retired from the second affair.
Ray started 1981 with a new paintscheme, racing in his home state at Symmons Plains’ ATCC opener, but was forced to retire after only ve laps with mechanical issues. On to Calder for round two and he was punted off the track during the
rst of two heats, with damage preventing him from starting the second 25-lapper. Round four at Sandown saw him nish 15th and 17th in the two 13-lap heats.
Its next outing, with another new livery, in Aussie green and gold, was Sandown’s 1981 Hang Ten 400. With John Mann as co-driver, the #26 car had a good run to 14th place outright.
The car was entered for the 1981 James Hardie 1000 at Bathurst, but Lyn recalls that their entry was rejected, race organisers citing a lack of experience. This despite Ray having raced for over 15 years and posting consecutive nishes in Sandown enduros!
Ray’s disappointment at missing Bathurst led to him putting the car up for sale after nishing 15th at Calder’s AGP touring car support races. During 1982, a buyer from Adelaide bought the XD with the intention of putting it on the road. It was sold with most of its racing gear still in the car as he no longer had use for it. Ray retained the logbook.
The car was still in its nal, dark green colour scheme – its third livery in its limited seven-outing career! – when it headed to Adelaide. What became of it is unknown. So Whaddayaknow? Anyone got an old XD tagged with ‘RA007’?