Layout of the Mount Panorama Circuit (1938-1986)

The 1977 Hardie-Ferodo 1000 was a motor race for Group C Touring Cars, held on 2 October 1977 at the Mount Panorama Circuit just outside Bathurst in New South Wales, Australia. It was the 18th in a sequence of "Bathurst 1000" events commencing with the 1960 Armstrong 500.

The race was won by Allan Moffat for a record-equalling fourth time, driving with multiple Formula One Grand Prix and 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, Belgian legend Jacky Ickx. They finished in side-by-side formation with the Moffat Ford Dealers team's second Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop driven by Colin Bond and Alan Hamilton in the most dominant team performance seen at the race (Hamilton got the drive after Bond's original nominated co-driver Gregg Hansford was unavailable due to injury from a motorcycle racing accident). Third was the first of the new A9X Hatchback Holden Toranas, a privateer entry driven by Peter Janson and Australian Formula One driver Larry Perkins.

Years after the event, Colin Bond stated that he wished he had powered past Moffat's ailing Falcon (Moffat's Falcon was out of brakes due to Ickx being too hard on them during his stint at the wheel) and won the race instead of playing to team orders (which came from team boss Moffat) to stay behind and let the #1 Ford win the race. Moffat also stated that during the race he had offered Bond a drive in his car, which would have seen Bond join Moffat and Ickx as winners, but the 1969 winner had declined preferring to continue in car #2. Moffat has also stated that as team owner he had no regrets about ordering Bond to remain behind as they were over a lap in front of the Torana driven by Janson / Perkins Torana and the pole winning Torana of Peter and Phil Brock, but had the Torana's been on the same lap and closing in, Bond would have been free to leave him behind and win the race for the Moffat Ford Dealers team.

Two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Johnny Rutherford made his only start in this race alongside his teammate Janet Guthrie, a fellow USAC Marlboro Championship Trail driver and the first woman to ever qualify for the Indianapolis 500 only months before. The pair drove the second of the Ron Hodgson Motors entered Toranas alongside defending race winners Bob Morris and John Fitzpatrick. Morris and Fitzpatrick drove one of the Torana A9X 4-Door sedans while Rutherford and Guthrie drove an A9X Hatchback. "Lone Star JR" qualified the Torana in 26th position, but during practice complained that his car wasn't as good as the Morris / Fitzpatrick car. To prove that it wasn't the car and it was just Rutherford's unfamiliarity with both the track and a right hand drive saloon, Morris ran a number of laps in practice in the car which were over 5 seconds faster than the Indy 500 winner had achieved. Although this actually qualified Morris in the car as he had been cross-entered, under the regulations Rutherford's fastest time of 2:34.8 was its official qualifying time as no driver could qualify another car for grid position other than their own nominated entry. The car carried the #17. As of the 2020 race this was the last time that number would be used by anyone other than Dick Johnson or his team Dick Johnson Racing (Johnson's Falcon carried the #13 in the race).

With the exception of 1988 and 2022, 1977 was the last time that the full grid at Bathurst was decided in the traditional qualifying sessions. 1978 would see the introduction of the "Hardies Heroes" top 10 runoff for pole where the fastest eight qualifiers, plus two at the stewards invitation, would have a chance at pole position with a runoff held the day before the race. The runoff was devised by race broadcaster Channel 7 and the race promoters, the Australian Racing Drivers' Club (ARDC) for extra television time.

1977 was also the last year in which four time race winner Harry Firth would be at Bathurst as either a driver or team manager. After having led the Holden Dealer Team since its formation in 1969, Firth, the 1961, 1962, 1963 and 1967 race winner, had announced his retirement. Firth, who won the last race held at Phillip Island in 1962 and the first held at Bathurst in 1963, as well as driving the first V8 powered car to victory in 1967, would go on to be CAMS Chief Scrutineer from 1978 to 1981 before retiring from the sport completely. During his time as HDT Team Manager, the Dealer Team had won Bathurst in 1969 with Colin Bond and Tony Roberts driving a Holden HT Monaro GTS350, and again in 1972 when Peter Brock took his first win driving a Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1.

Allan Moffat and Jacky Ickx won the race driving a Ford Falcon XC
Peter Janson and Larry Perkins placed third in a Holden LX Torana SS A9X. (Car pictured in 2015)
Charlie O'Brien and Ron Harrop placed fifth in a Holden LX Torana SL/R 5000 A9X entered by the Marlboro Holden Dealer Team

Class structure

Cars competed in three engine displacement classes:

3001cc – 6000cc

The class was contested by Holden Torana and Ford Falcon entries.

2001cc – 3000cc

The class was contested by Mazda RX3, Ford Capri and BMW 3.0Si entries.

Up to 2000cc

The class was contested by Alfa Romeo Alfetta and 2000 GTV, BMW 2002, Ford Escort RS2000, Holden Gemini, Toyota Celica, Triumph Dolomite and Volkswagen Golf entries.

Top 10 Qualifiers

1977 would be the final year (with the exception of 1988 and 2022) that official qualifying would count for the entire grid. From 1978, race broadcaster Channel 7 and the Australian Racing Drivers Club (ARDC) would introduce the Hardies Heroes top 10 runoff for the fastest 8 qualifiers and two invitees to have the chance to go for pole position on the Saturday. Hardies Heroes would also provide extra coverage time for Channel 7.

PosNoTeamDriverCarQual
Pole 25 Bill Patterson Racing Australia Peter Brock Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback 2:24.1
2 2 Moffat Ford Dealers Australia Colin Bond Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop 2:25.2
3 1 Moffat Ford Dealers Canada Allan Moffat Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop 2:25.6
4 6 Craven Mild Racing Australia Allan Grice Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback 2:25.8
5 3 Bob Jane 2UW Racing Australia Ian Geoghegan Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback 2:25.9
6 10 Melford Motors New Zealand Jim Richards Ford XB Falcon GT Hardtop 2:26.0
7 7 Ron Hodgson Motors Australia Bob Morris Holden LX Torana SL/R 5000 A9X 4-Door 2:26.6
8 14 Holden Dealer Team Australia John Harvey Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback 2:26.8
9 4 John Goss Racing Pty Limited Australia Jack Brabham Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop 2:26.9
10 8 Holden Dealer Team Australia Charlie O'Brien Holden LX Torana SL/R 5000 A9X 4-Door 2:27.2

Results

Pos Class[1] No[1] Entrant[1] Drivers Car Laps Qual
Pos
1 3001cc – 6000cc 1 Moffat Ford Dealers Canada Allan Moffat
Belgium Jacky Ickx		 Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop 163 3
2 3001cc – 6000cc 2 Moffat Ford Dealers Australia Colin Bond
Australia Alan Hamilton		 Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop 163 2
3 3001cc – 6000cc 15 NGK Janson New Zealand Peter Janson
Australia Larry Perkins		 Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback 162 13
4 3001cc – 6000cc 25 Bill Patterson Racing Australia Peter Brock
Australia Phil Brock		 Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback 162 1
5 3001cc – 6000cc 8 Marlboro Holden Dealer Team Australia Charlie O'Brien
Australia Ron Harrop		 Holden LX Torana SL/R 5000 A9X 4-Door 162 10
6 2001cc – 3000cc 33 Amco Pty Limited Australia Barry Seton
Australia Don Smith		 Ford Capri Mk.I 154 27
7 3001cc – 6000cc 26 Bill Patterson Racing Australia Tony Roberts
Australia Doug Chivas		 Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 154 21
8 Up to 2000cc 58 Brian Foley Pty Limited United Kingdom Derek Bell
Australia Garry Leggatt		 Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV 150 37
9 Up to 2000cc 69 Brian Wood Ford Australia Rod Stevens
Australia Tony Farrell		 Ford Escort RS2000 Mk.I 150 41
10 3001cc – 6000cc 12 Pioneer Electronics Australia Ron Dickson
Australia Fred Gibson		 Ford XB Falcon GT Hardtop 147 22
11 Up to 2000cc 59 Douglas Hi Fi Australia Frank Porter
Australia Jim Murcott		 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTAm 146 47
12 Up to 2000cc 61 Ray Gulson Australia Ray Gulson
Australia David Crowther		 Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV 145 48
13 2001cc – 3000cc 43 Larry Dixon's Great Doncaster Road Motor Show Australia Nick Louis
Australia Ted Brewster		 Mazda RX-3 145 45
14 2001cc – 3000cc 38 Quick Fit Spares and Accessories Australia Phil McDonnell
Australia Jim Hunter		 BMW 3.0Si 144 35
15 2001cc – 3000cc 45 Mayrack Manufacturers Pty Ltd Australia Gary Cooke
Australia Ben Penhall		 Mazda RX-3 143 51
16 2001cc – 3000cc 46 Bill Shiells New Zealand Bill Shiells
New Zealand Frank Radisich		 Mazda RX-3 142 58
17 3001cc – 6000cc 30 Scotty Taylor Holden Australia Alan "Scotty" Taylor
Australia Kevin Kennedy		 Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 141 25
18 3001cc – 6000cc 4 John Goss Racing Pty Limited Australia Jack Brabham
Australia Geoff Brabham		 Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop 141 9
19 Up to 2000cc 51 Kevin Fischer Australia Eric Boord
Australia Keith Poole		 Ford Escort RS2000 Mk.II 138 42
20 Up to 2000cc 55 Terry Daly Australia Terry Daly
Australia Barry Jones		 Ford Escort RS2000 Mk.II 137 43
21 Up to 2000cc 63 Robin Dudfield Australia Robin Dudfield
Australia Tony Niovanni		 Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV 131 56
22 2001cc – 3000cc 32 James Mason Motors Pty Ltd Australia Lynn Brown
Australia Bruce Stewart		 Mazda RX-3 129 40
DNF 3001cc – 6000cc 11 Bob Forbes Australia Bob Forbes
Australia Kevin Bartlett		 Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback 147 11
DNF 3001cc – 6000cc 20 Roadways/Gown Hindhaugh Australia Garth Wigston
Australia Bruce Hindhaugh		 Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback 144 14
DNF 3001cc – 6000cc 6 Craven Mild Racing Australia Allan Grice
Australia Frank Gardner		 Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback 140 4
DNF 3001cc – 6000cc 13 Bryan Byrt Ford Australia Dick Johnson
Australia Vern Schuppan		 Ford XB Falcon GT Hardtop 124 15
DNF 3001cc – 6000cc 5 John Goss Racing Pty Limited Australia John Goss
France Henri Pescarolo		 Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop 113 16
DNF 3001cc – 6000cc 7 Ron Hodgson Motors Australia Bob Morris
United Kingdom John Fitzpatrick		 Holden LX Torana SL/R 5000 A9X 4-Door 111 7
DNF Up to 2000cc 56 De Bortolis Wines Pty Limited Australia Bruce Hodgson
Australia Dave Morrow		 Ford Escort RS2000 Mk.II 107 52
DNF 3001cc – 6000cc 24 Bill Patterson Racing United Kingdom Gerry Marshall
South Africa Basil van Rooyen		 Holden LX Torana SL/R 5000 A9X 4-Door 107 18
DNF Up to 2000cc 68 Chevelle Motors Pty Limited Australia Phil Ward
Australia Phil Lucas		 BMW 2002 Tii 106 55
DNF 2001cc – 3000cc 42 Craven Mild Racing Japan Yoshimi Katayama
Australia Geoff Leeds		 Mazda RX-3 103 38
NC 3001cc – 6000cc 23 Rusty French Australia Rusty French
New Zealand Leo Leonard		 Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop 99 17
DNF 2001cc – 3000cc 34 Amco Pty Limited Australia Russell Skaife
Australia Sue Ransom		 Ford Capri Mk.I 98 36
DNF Up to 2000cc 67 Bob Glazier Australia Peter Granger
Australia Ian Richards		 BMW 2002 Tii 96 57
DNF 2001cc – 3000cc 40 ATP (Australia) Pty Limited Australia Alan Cant
Japan Satoru Nakajima		 Ford Capri Mk.I 95 32
DNF 2001cc – 3000cc 47 Brian Wood Ford Australia Ray Farrar
Australia Geoff Wade		 Ford Capri Mk.I 93 60
DNF 3001cc – 6000cc 14 Marlboro Holden Dealer Team Australia John Harvey
Australia Wayne Negus		 Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback 91 8
DNF 3001cc – 6000cc 19 Ian Diffen Australia Ian Diffen
New Zealand Tim Slako		 Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 90 19
DNF Up to 2000cc 49 Bob Holden Shell Sport Australia Lyndon Arnel
Australia Richard Carter		 Ford Escort RS2000 Mk.II 88 46
DNF Up to 2000cc 50 Bob Holden Shell Sport Australia Bob Holden
Australia Ian Messner		 Ford Escort RS2000 Mk.II 84 49
NC 3001cc – 6000cc 28 Henderson's Federal Spring Works Australia Jim Keogh
Australia Graham Ritter		 Ford XB Falcon GT Hardtop 82 20
DNF Up to 2000cc 60 Peter Williamson Pty Limited Australia Peter Williamson
Australia Gary Scott		 Toyota Celica 76 34
DNF 2001cc – 3000cc 41 Warren Torr Australia John Duggan
Australia Brian Wheeler		 Mazda RX-3 72 44
DNF Up to 2000cc 62 Gill Gordon Alfa Australia Peter Hopwood
Australia Warwick Henderson		 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTAm 65 53
DNF Up to 2000cc 53 Lennox Motors Australia Chris Heyer
West Germany Rudi Dahlhauser		 Volkswagen Golf GTi 62 50
DNF 3001cc – 6000cc 29 Bond's Coats Patents Australia Graham Ryan
Australia Phillip Arnull		 Holden LX Torana SL/R 5000 A9X 4-Door 57 23
DNF 3001cc – 6000cc 10 Melford Motors New Zealand Jim Richards
New Zealand Rod Coppins		 Ford XB Falcon GT Hardtop 53 6
DNF Up to 2000cc 54 Nev Ham Pty Limited Australia Rod Morris
Australia Paul Gulson		 Ford Escort RS2000 Mk.II 46 54
DNF 2001cc – 3000cc 36 Les Grose Australia Bill Stanley
Australia Les Grose		 Ford Capri Mk.I 46 33
DNF 2001cc – 3000cc 37 Lakis Manticas Australia Graham Moore
Australia Lakis Manticas		 Ford Capri RS3100 Mk.I 46 28
DNF 3001cc – 6000cc 22 Pioneer Electronics Australia Warren Cullen
Australia Brian Sampson		 Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback 39 24
DNF 3001cc – 6000cc 18 Brian Wood Ford Australia Murray Carter
Australia Bob Stevens		 Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop 38 12
DNF 3001cc – 6000cc 3 Bob Jane 2UW Racing Australia Bob Jane
Australia Ian Geoghegan		 Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback 35 5
DNF 3001cc – 6000cc 27 Rod Donovan Australia Rod Donovan
Australia Ron Lindau		 Ford XB Falcon GT Hardtop 31 29
DNF 3001cc – 6000cc 17 Ron Hodgson Motors United States Johnny Rutherford
United States Janet Guthrie		 Holden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback 13 26
DNF Up to 2000cc 65 Ken Mathews Rose Bay Australia James Laing-Peach
Australia Bill Evans		 Triumph Dolomite Sprint 12 39
DNF Up to 2000cc 73 Barry Sheales Holden Australia Allan Gough
Australia Kel Gough		 Holden Gemini 7 59
DNF 2001cc – 3000cc 39 Lawrie Nelson Australia Lawrie Nelson
Australia Brian Reed		 Ford Capri Mk.I 6 30
DSQ 2001cc – 3000cc 46 Terry Shiel Australia Terry Shiel
Australia Don Holland		 Mazda RX-3 152 31
DNQ Up to 2000cc 57 Fred's Treads Pty Ltd Australia Gordon Rich
Australia Ron Gillard		 Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV

Statistics

  • Pole position - #25 Peter Brock - 2:24.1
  • Fastest lap - #1 Allan Moffat - 2:26.4 (lap record)
  • Race time of winning car - 6:59:07.8
  • Average speed of winning car- 144 km/h (89 mph)

References

  1. 1 2 3 Entry List, Official Programme, Hardie Ferodo 1000, Mount Panorama, Bathurst, 2 October 1977, pages 36 & 37
  • Greenhalgh, David; Thomas B. Floyd; Bill Tuckey (2000). Australia's Greatest Motor Race 1960-1999. Chevron Publishing Group. pp. 226–233 & 465. ISBN 1-875221-12-3.
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