The Great Race

E1. Bathurst 1000 - 1973: The Falcon's Last Flight

Sep 30, 1973 · 440m

History is made as Australia's "Great Race" expands from 500 miles to the grueling 1000-kilometre format at Mount Panorama. Adding to the tension, a new rule change permits co-drivers for the first time. Fans witness an epic, final factory-backed showdown between the legendary Ford XA Falcon GT Hardtops and Holden’s formidable Torana GTR XU-1s. Pit-lane drama, a controversial refueling fire, and a brutal battle of mechanical endurance culminate in a historic victory that marks the official end of an era for factory-funded Ford Australia racing teams.

E2. Bathurst 1000 - 1974: The Mud & The Mountain

Oct 6, 1974 · 470m

Nature unleashes absolute chaos on the mountain as a relentless, monumental downpour turns sections of the track into a literal swamp. The treacherous, water-logged conditions force a historic, nearly hour-long race stoppage on the pit straight. Decimating the heavily favored factory teams, the brutal war of attrition leaves privateers to fight for survival. This leads to an iconic, underdog triumph in a blue-and-white Ford XB Falcon that remains one of the most rugged, unexpected victories in Australian motorsport history.

E3. Bathurst 1000 - 1975: The Privateer's Rebellion

Oct 5, 1975 · 439m

The powerful Holden Dealer Team looks unstoppable on paper, but Mount Panorama has other plans. A record-breaking field of starters takes the green flag, showcasing a massive variety of classic Australian touring cars. When early engine failures shock the defending champions just 10 laps in, the race breaks wide open. Defying all odds, a brilliantly prepared privateer Holden Torana SL/R 5000 goes toe-to-toe with the heavily funded factory operations to execute a flawless endurance strategy and stage a stunning upset.

E4. Bathurst 1000 - 1976: The Great Lap-Count Scandal

Oct 3, 1976 · 427m

Pure controversy takes over the mountain in a race that people still argue about decades later. Global racing royalty arrives as F1 legends Sir Jack Brabham and Sir Stirling Moss team up to tackle the mountain. On the track, the mighty Holden Torana L34s utterly dominate the tarmac. However, the real drama unfolds at the checkered flag where a critical, agonizing scoring dispute and a legendary lap-counting error throw the official podium results into complete disarray, cementing this race as Bathurst’s ultimate mathematical thriller.

E5. Bathurst 1000 - 1977: The Great Formation Finish

Oct 2, 1977 · 419m

The mountain plays host to one of the most famous, devastatingly dominant displays in global touring car history. Allan Moffat and formula-one icon Jacky Ickx control the grueling enduro from the front row. As mechanical failures decimate the rival Holden Torana fleet, Moffat overcomes late-race brake failures to stage an iconic, side-by-side formation finish with teammate Colin Bond. Crossing the line completely ahead of the field, the crushing Ford Dealer Team 1-2 sweep etches itself forever into Australian motorsport folklore.

E6. Bathurst 1000 - 1978: The Birth of Hardie's Heroes

Oct 1, 1978 · 406m

The modern era of Mount Panorama takes shape with the historic debut of the "Top 10 Shootout" one-by-one qualifying format. Under intense pressure, Peter Brock secures a legendary pole position in the ultimate LX Torana A9X. Alongside co-driver Jim Richards, Brock unleashes a flawless tactical performance that breaks the spirit of the Ford Falcon challenge. Overcoming unpredictable weather and a changing field, the duo claims a crushing victory that marks the beginning of an era of unprecedented mountain dominance.

E7. Bathurst 1000 - 1979: Six Laps and a Record

Sep 30, 1979 · 398m

Peter Brock and Jim Richards rewrite the touring car history books with an impossibly dominant, flawless performance. Driving the legendary Holden Dealer Team Torana A9X, the pairing completely breaks the field, leading from the drop of the flag until the very last corner. Refusing to slow down even with a massive lead, Brock shocks the pit lane by crushing the lap record on the 163rd and final lap of the race. They cross the line to win by an unbeaten, staggering six-lap margin.

E8. Bathurst 1000 - 1980: The Boulder and the Breakthrough

Oct 5, 1980 · 408m

The brand-new Holden Commodore era begins under the cloud of one of Bathurst's most heartbreaking, infamous incidents. Popular Ford privateer Dick Johnson leads early before violently striking a massive rock rolled onto the track by a spectator. The crash destroys his car and emotional dream live on national television. In a beautiful display of sportsmanship, an avalanche of public donations funds his return. Out front, Peter Brock and Jim Richards cruise through the chaos to secure their historic third consecutive mountain triumph.

E9. Bathurst 1000 - 1981: The Big Pile-Up

Oct 4, 1981 · 290m

Redemption arrives in explosive fashion as Dick Johnson and John French bring Ford back to the absolute peak of the mountain. Armed with a newly built Falcon funded by the Australian public, Johnson faces down a grid of powerful V8 Commodores and a menacing turbo Camaro attack. The classic endurance race is cut short by a violent, multi-car pile-up at McPhillamy Park that completely blocks the track. The red flag triggers a massive scoring countdown, crowning a fairy-tale champion amidst the wreckage.

E10. Bathurst 1000 - 1982: Breaking the Ton

Oct 3, 1982 · 410m

The outright speed barrier is broken as Mount Panorama enters the high-tech era of live broadcast television. Privateer master Allan Grice stuns the mountain by recording the first-ever lap averaging over 100 mph around the circuit. However, the race belongs to Peter Brock and Larry Perkins in their revolutionary VH Commodore. Carrying a heavy, pioneering live "Racecam" inside the cockpit, they deliver viewers a historic first-person view of a masterful, flag-to-flag victory on the mountain.

E11. Bathurst 1000 - 1983: Green Tuf and the Shared Car

Oct 2, 1983 · 411m

Total destruction and an unprecedented loophole combine to create a deeply controversial race. Dick Johnson survives a horrific, total-write-off crash into the trees during the top ten shootout. Overnight, his crew builds a replacement car from scratch. Meanwhile, Peter Brock’s primary car suffers an early mechanical failure. Exploiting a controversial rule, Brock and Larry Perkins cross-enter into the team's second car, fighting from down the field to steal an unforgettable, heavily debated victory.

E12. Bathurst 1000 - 1984: Last of the Big Bangers

Sep 30, 1984 · 401m

An era of raw, flame-spitting power comes to an emotional close at Mount Panorama. In the final race for the iconic, heavily modified Group C "Big Bangers", Nissan's turbo Bluebird stuns the field with a blistering pole lap. The race transforms into an absolute war of attrition. Peter Brock and Larry Perkins pilot their iconic, day-glo Mobil Holden Commodore to a dominant 1-2 team finish, claiming Brock's eighth mountain crown and closing an unforgettable chapter of local motorsport.

E13. Bathurst 1000 - 1985: The European Invasion

Oct 6, 1985 · 401m

International regulations reshape the mountain as global Group A touring car rules take over. A highly professional European assault arrives, led by Tom Walkinshaw's menacing, thundering fleet of V12 Jaguar XJS lines. The sleek British machines dominate qualifying and break local hearts. Despite an oil line issue causing cabin smoke, privateer legend John Goss and German co-driver Armin Hahne survive the grueling pace, executing a magnificent upset to deliver Jaguar a historic victory.

E14. Bathurst 1000 - 1986: The Chickadee Flight

Oct 5, 1986 · 390m

Tragedy and ultimate underdog defiance clash in an emotional weekend on the mountain. The racing community is rocked by the tragic practice loss of popular driver Mike Burgmann on Conrod Straight. On race day, the heavily backed factory Volvo and Nissan turbo outfits suffer critical issues. Seizing the moment, privateer hero Allan Grice and Graeme Bailey pilot their low-budget, yellow "Chickadee" Holden Commodore flawlessly, out-pacing the global giants to take a historic victory.

E15. Bathurst 1000 - 1987: The Settle It in Court Race

Oct 4, 1987 · 421m

The mountain integrates into the World Touring Car Championship, bringing controversial tech inspections and chaotic weather. Torrential rain storms turn the circuit into a literal river. The sleek, dominant European Texaco Ford Sierra turbos cross the finish line first, but are immediately hit with massive technical protests over illegal wheel-arch modifications. Following months of bitter international court appeals, local heroes Peter Brock, David Parsons, and Peter McLeod are officially awarded the win.

E16. Bathurst 1000 - 1988: The Turbo Sierra Dawn

Oct 2, 1988 · 422m

The blistering, dangerous speed of the turbo Ford Sierra RS500 takes absolute control of the mountain. Local teams finally unlock the volatile engineering secrets of the European imports. Dick Johnson captures a spectacular pole position, but the endurance race transforms into a high-stakes mechanical chess match. Evading the chronic engine and turbo failures that wipe out the front-runners, Tony Longhurst and Tomas Mezera deliver a flawless tactical run to claim a historic victory.

E17. Bathurst 1000 - 1989: Shell Dominance

Oct 1, 1989 · 390m

Dick Johnson and John Bowe stamp their absolute authority on Mount Panorama in a vintage display of turbo speed. Driving their beautifully engineered Shell Ford Sierra RS500, the pairing out-qualifies and completely out-paces a world-class field of international machinery. Surviving late-race brake scares and a changing track surface, they lead the endurance classic almost entirely from start to finish, cementing the Sierra as an iconic touring car powerhouse.

E18. Bathurst 1000 - 1990: The HRT Redemption

Sep 30, 1990 · 400m

The formidable Nissan Skyline "Godzilla" arrives to threaten local supremacy, setting up a massive technical war against the aging Ford Sierras. With the turbo giants widely expected to crush the field, the newly formed Holden Racing Team executes an incredible strategy. Veteran driver Allan Grice and British touring champ Win Percy push their Group A VL Commodore to its absolute mechanical limits. They execute a stunning, tyre-saving upset to secure Holden a legendary victory.

E19. Bathurst 1000 - 1991: Godzilla Unleashed

Oct 6, 1991 · 375m

The mountain faces a high-tech revolution as the menacing four-wheel-drive Nissan Skyline GT-R, nicknamed "Godzilla," returns to rewrite the record books. Jim Richards and Mark Skaife deliver an incredibly dominant performance, smashing the overall race time record by over seven minutes. The turbo monsters completely out-pace the local V8 Holden Commodores and Ford Sierras, signaling a massive, controversial shift in Australian motorsport history.

E20. Bathurst 1000 - 1992: Ghosts in the Rain

Oct 4, 1992 · 358m

One of the most chaotic, controversial finishes in motorsport history unfolds under a torrential downpour. A sudden, violent storm triggers massive multi-car crashes, forcing a premature red flag. Race leader Jim Richards crashes out in the chaos, yet a technical rule book quirk awards the victory to his wrecked Nissan Skyline. Facing a hostile, booing crowd on the podium, Richards delivers an iconic, unfiltered speech that etches itself into mountain folklore.

E21. Bathurst 1000 - 1993: The V8 Awakening

Oct 3, 1993 · 389m

A highly anticipated new era dawns as international turbo regulations are banished, resetting the grid into a pure, localized V8 Holden vs. Ford war. Larry Perkins stuns the field by securing pole position in his privately built Commodore. On race day, Perkins and co-driver Gregg Hansford execute a flawless, high-octane strategy, out-dueling the heavily funded factory teams to claim a historic victory for the new five-litre touring car format.

E22. Bathurst 1000 - 1994: The Kid and the King

Oct 2, 1994 · 423m

A thrilling changing of the guard takes place on the mountain during an absolute classic battle of attrition. Total chaos unfolds with a record number of safety car deployments keeping the field tightly bunched. The closing laps build into an epic, high-stakes shootout between veteran privateer Dick Johnson and a spectacular 22-year-old rookie named Craig Lowndes. Making a daring pass, Lowndes announces himself to the world before Johnson fights back to win.

E23. Bathurst 1000 - 1995: Last to First

Oct 1, 1995 · 380m

Larry Perkins and Russell Ingall stage one of the most unbelievable, legendary comeback victories in endurance racing history. A chaotic first-lap tangle down at the cutting drops their Castrol Commodore to the absolute back of the field with a flat tyre. Refusing to surrender, Perkins unleashes a fierce, relentless charge through the pack, capitalizing on late-race mechanical drama to complete an impossible, fairy-tale rise to the top step.

E24. Bathurst 1000 - 1996: The Golden Child's Crown

Oct 6, 1996 · 420m

The Holden Racing Team stamps its absolute authority on the mountain with a masterful, record-breaking performance. Young superstar Craig Lowndes and Kiwi sensation Greg Murphy form an unstoppable, youthful partnership that completely electrifies the crowd. Dominating the grueling weekend from the front row, the duo rewrites the history books as Lowndes becomes the youngest driver to capture a clean sweep of the championship, Sandown, and Bathurst.

E25. Bathurst 1000 - 1997: The Civil War

Oct 5, 1997 · 397m

A bitter, unprecedented political split divides Australian motorsport, resulting in two entirely separate 1000-kilometre races on the mountain. The traditional V8 Fords and Holdens field a highly dramatic event, while Peter Brock makes an emotional, temporary final start as a full-time driver. In the race, Larry Perkins and Russell Ingall survive an intense, high-speed war of attrition to masterfully out-last a collapsing field of contenders.

E26. Bathurst 1000 - 1998: The Blue Oval's Revenge

Nov 15, 1998 · 402m

With the political division still lingering, the classic V8 formula delivers an absolute multi-car thriller in the November heat. A dramatic, tactical chess match unfolds as Ford squads fight fiercely to break Holden's recent stranglehold on the mountain. Seizing the opportunity, Jason Bright and Steven Richards pilot their privateer Falcon EL flawlessly, executing an aggressive pit strategy to hold off a charging field and secure a monumental victory.

E27. Bathurst 1000 - 1999: Unity and Unleashed Power

Nov 14, 1999 · 411m

Peace is fully restored as the entire Australian motorsport landscape reunites under the official V8 Supercars banner. The mountain responds with an absolute classic, featuring intense panel-rubbing drama across a brutal 161 laps. Greg Murphy and Steven Richards deliver a masterclass in defensive driving, nursing their Wynn's Commodore through late-race mechanical scares to survive a furious, closing-lap onslaught from a desperate Ford pack.

E28. Bathurst 1000 - 2000: The Millennium Monsoon

Nov 19, 2000 · 443m

Wild, unpredictable spring weather turns the new millennium edition into a highly dramatic, water-logged survival test. Fierce rain storms and widespread track oil spark a massive wave of high-speed accidents across the mountain. Evading the carnage that swallows up the heavily favoured front-runners, Garth Tander and Jason Bargwanna deliver a remarkably poised, clean drive to capture a brilliant, breakout victory for the Garry Rogers Motorsport squad.

E29. Bathurst 1000 - 2001: The Main Game Reborn

Oct 7, 2001 · 410m

The race securely locks back into its traditional early October weekend, delivering a brutal, highly tactical endurance showcase. A massive field of V8 Supercars engages in a high-speed game of strategy, with fuel economy and tyre wear dictating the order. Mark Skaife and Tony Longhurst execution is flawless, piloting their Holden Racing Team Commodore through high-pressure restarts to claim a monumental, hard-fought triumph on the mountain.

E30. Bathurst 1000 - 2002: Skaife's Ultimate Double

Oct 13, 2002 · 404m

Mark Skaife seals his legendary status with an incredibly dominant, high-stakes weekend alongside former rival Jim Richards. Driving the iconic red Holden Racing Team entry, Skaife faces down intense pressure from a re-emergent Ford attack. Nursing a heavily overheating engine packed with plastic track debris over the final closing laps, Skaife miraculously holds on to secure a historic, back-to-back mountain triumph and the championship title.