1977 Australian Touring Car Championship Explained

The 1977 Australian Touring Car Championship was a CAMS sanctioned Australian motor racing championship open to Group C Touring Cars. It was the 18th running of the Australian Touring Car Championship. The championship began at Symmons Plains Raceway on 7 March and ended at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on 20 November after eleven rounds.[1] 1977 was the second and final time that the series incorporated the longer distance races which made up the Australian Championship of Makes. These races included the Sandown 400 and the Phillip Island 500K, although notably not the Bathurst 1000.[2]

Reigning champion Allan Moffat (Ford Falcon) dominated the 1977 season. In addition to his victory in the non-championship Hardie-Ferodo 1000 at Bathurst, Moffat won his third Australian Touring Car Championship, leading home new Moffat Ford Dealers teammate Colin Bond for a series 1-2 result. Moffat won the first five rounds of the championship, won a total of seven out of the eleven rounds and won the title by 32 points. Bond recorded a win at Adelaide International Raceway but was put under pressure near the end of the season from Peter Brock after consecutive wins by the Holden Torana driver at Lakeside International Raceway and Sandown Raceway in the Hang Ten 400. In the end Bond finished nine points clear of Brock. The only other round win was claimed by Allan Grice (Holden Torana) at the final round at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.

In previous years the class pointscore system saw a consistent performer threaten the top of the points table. In 1977 though the best performer from the smaller cars was Ford Capri racer Lawrie Nelson who finished fourth in the points, 19 behind Brock. Holden Torana racer Bob Morris took points away from the small car class drivers by racing his Triumph Dolomite early in the series, as well as racing Lakis Manticas' Ford Capri on occasion, effectively spoiling the chances of other drivers in the under three-litre class.

Drivers

Drivers that competed in the 1977 Australian Touring Car Championship included the following:

EntrantNoCarDriver
Moffat Ford Dealers1Ford XB Falcon GT HardtopAllan Moffat
Moffat Ford Dealers1Ford XC Falcon GS500 HardtopAllan Moffat
Moffat Ford Dealers2Ford XB Falcon GT HardtopColin Bond
Moffat Ford Dealers2Ford XC Falcon GS500 HardtopColin Bond
Marlboro Holden Dealer Team3Holden LH Torana SLR5000 L34John Harvey
Bob Jane T-Marts3Holden LX Torana A9X SS HatchbackBob Jane
Gown-Hindhaugh4Holden LH Torana SLR5000 L34Bruce Hindhaugh
Bill Patterson05Holden LX Torana A9X SS HatchbackPeter Brock
Craven Mild6Holden LH Torana SLR5000 L34Allan Grice
Craven Mild6Holden LX Torana A9X SS HatchbackAllan Grice
Channel 77Holden LH Torana SLR5000 L34Bob Morris
Channel 77Holden LX Torana A9X SLR5000Bob Morris
Marlboro Holden Dealer Team8Holden LH Torana SLR5000 L34Charlie O'Brien
Marlboro Holden Dealer Team8Holden LX Torana A9X SLR5000Wayne Negus
Peter Janson9Holden LH Torana SLR5000 L34Larry Perkins
Mercury Outboards9Holden LX Torana A9X SS HatchbackCharlie O'Brien
Sidchrome/Melford10Ford XB Falcon GT HardtopJim Richards
Bob Forbes11Holden LH Torana SLR5000 L34Bob Forbes
Pioneer Electronics12Ford XB Falcon GT HardtopRon Dickson
Marlboro Holden Dealer Team14Holden LX Torana A9X SS HatchbackJohn Harvey
Kevin Bartlett14Ford XB Falcon GT HardtopKevin Bartlett
Ipec15Holden LH Torana SLR5000 L34Peter Janson
Bryan Byrt Ford17Ford XB Falcon GT HardtopDick Johnson
Brian Wood Ford18Ford XB Falcon GT HardtopMurray Carter
Phillip Industries19Holden LH Torana SLR5000 L34Ian Diffen
Gown-Hindhaugh20Holden LH Torana SLR5000 L34Garth Wigston
Gown-Hindhaugh20Holden LX Torana A9X SLR5000Garth Wigston
Maurice Andrews21Holden ToranaMaurice Andrews
Citizen Quartz21Ford XC Falcon GS500 HardtopJohn Goss
Pioneer Electronics22Holden LH Torana SLR5000 L34Warren Cullen
John Goss22Ford XB Falcon GT HardtopJohn Goss
Pioneer Electronics22Holden LX Torana A9X SS HatchbackWarren Cullen
Pioneer Electronics23Holden LH Torana SLR5000 L34Warren Cullen
Rusty French23Ford XC Falcon GS500 HardtopRusty French
Bill Patterson24Holden LH Torana SLR5000 L34Basil Van Rooyen
Bill Patterson25Holden LH Torana SLR5000 L34Peter Brock
Bill Patterson25Holden LX Torana A9X SS HatchbackPeter Brock
Bill Patterson26Holden LH Torana SLR5000 L34Phil Brock
Craven Mild26Holden LX Torana A9X SS HatchbackAllan Grice
Kevin Kennedy27Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1Kevin Kennedy
HM Headers28Ford XB Falcon GT HardtopJim Keogh
Rod Donovan28Ford XB Falcon GT HardtopRod Donovan
Phillip Arnull29Holden LH Torana SLR5000 L34Phillip Arnull
Graham Ryan29Holden LH Torana SLR5000 L34Graham Ryan
Garry Willmington30Ford XB Falcon GT HardtopGarry Willmington
Lawrie Nelson32Ford Capri V6Lawrie Nelson
Lynn Brown32Mazda RX-3Lynn Brown
Russell Skaife34Ford Capri V6Russell Skaife
Tim Slako34Holden LH Torana SLR5000 L34Tim Slako
Barry Seton35Ford Capri V6Barry Seton
Arthur Hardwick36Mazda RX-3Arthur Hardwick
Lakis Manticas37Ford Capri V6Lakis Manticas
Alan Taylor37Holden LH Torana SLR5000 L34Alan Taylor
Phil McDonnell38BMW 3.0SiPhil McDonnell
David Seldon38Triumph Dolomite SprintDavid Seldon
Allan Bryant38Mazda RX-3Allan Bryant
ATP Australia40Ford Capri V6Alan Cant
Geoff Leeds41Mazda RX-3Geoff Leeds
Brian Sampson43Holden LH Torana SLR5000 L34Brian Sampson
Rogar Automotive43Mazda RX-3Nick Louis
Kim Harley44Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1Kim Harley
Ben Penhall44Mazda RX-3Ben Penhall
Paul Gulson44Alfa Romeo 2000 GTVPaul Gulson
John Stoopman44Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1John Stoopman
TB Penhall45Mazda RX-3Ben Penhall
Barry Lawrence45Triumph Dolomite SprintBarry Lawrence
Brian Wood Ford46Ford Capri V6Ray Farrar
Ross Burbidge46Mazda RX-3Ross Burbidge
Graham Parsons47Holden ToranaGraham Parsons
Graeme Wilson47Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1Graeme Wilson
Terry Shiel48Mazda RX-3Terry Shiel
Ian Messner49Ford EscortIan Messner
Brian Wood Ford49Ford Escort MkII RS2000Lyndon Arnel
Brian Potts50Holden LH Torana SLR5000 L34Brian Potts
Brian Potts50Mazda RX-3Brian Potts
Jim Hunter51Mazda RX-3Jim Hunter
Warren Torr51Mazda RX-3John Duggan
Vic Wilson52Ford Capri V6Vic Wilson
Ian Messner52Ford Escort MkI RS2000Ian Messner
Lennox Motors53Volkswagen Golf GTIChris Heyer
Allan Gough53Holden GeminiAllan Gough
Mike Minear54Holden GeminiMike Minear
Roger Stanley55Holden LH Torana SLR5000 L34Roger Stanley
Peter Stoopman55Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1Peter Stoopman
Gordon Rich57Alfa Romeo 2000 GTVGordon Rich
Ron Gillard57Alfa Romeo 2000 GTVRon Gillard
Ray Cutchie58Ford Escort MkI RS2000Ray Cutchie
David Cannon58Ford Escort MkI RS2000David Cannon
Douglas Hi-Fi59Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTAmFrank Porter
Ray Gulson61Alfa Romeo 2000 GTVRay Gulson
Geoff Wade61Triumph Dolomite SprintGeoff Wade
Gil Gordon Alfa Geelong62Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTWarwick Henderson
Wayne Mitchell63Holden LH Torana SLR5000 L34Wayne Mitchell
Alfa Romeo Club63Alfa Romeo GT1300 JuniorRobin Dudfield
Peter Kuebler63Alfa Romeo 2000 GTVPeter Kuebler
Martin Power64Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1Martin Power
Ian Chilman64Honda CivicIan Chilman
Jim Liang-Peach65Triumph Dolomite SprintJim Liang-Peach
David Clement66Mazda RX-3David Clement
John White66Ford Escort MkI RS2000John White
Ross Bond66Holden ToranaRoss Bond
Peter Granger67BMW 2002Peter Granger
Brian Wood Ford69Ford Escort RS2000Rod Stevens
Ralph Radburn69Triumph Dolomite SprintRalph Radburn
Ferris Car Radios70Holden LH Torana SLR5000 L34Barry Allen
Peter Williamson Toyota70Toyota CelicaPeter Williamson
Alan Welling71Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1Alan Welling
Brian Wood Ford71Ford Escort MkI RS2000Rod Stevens
Alf Grant71Alfa Romeo 2000 GTVAlf Grant
Roger Stanley72Holden ToranaRoger Stanley
Neville Bridges73Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1Neville Bridges
Bernie Stack74Volkswagen Passat 1300Bernie Stack
Stephen Land74Datsun 1200Stephen Land
Hair Affair75Morris Clubman GTJim Stewart
Ray Molloy76Morris Clubman GTRay Molloy
Ron Hodgson77Triumph Dolomite SprintBob Morris
Bob Morris77Ford Capri V6Bob Morris
Barry Sheales Holden77Holden GeminiAllan Gough
Geoff Newton78Ford Capri V6Geoff Newton
Hugh Donaldson78Fiat 124Hugh Donaldson
Darryl Wilcox79Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1Darryl Wilcox
Ian Wells79Ford Escort MkI RS2000Ian Well
Wynn's Friction Proofing79Ford Capri V6John Faulkner
John Millyard80Ford Capri V6John Millyard
Ian Lees80Ford Capri V6Ian Lees
Graeme Blanchard Holden81Holden LH Torana SLR5000 L34Graeme Blanchard
Tony Niovanni82Holden GeminiTony Niovanni
Graeme Wilson84Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1Graeme Wilson
Graeme Wilson84Holden LH Torana SLR5000 L34Graeme Wilson
Stuart Saker85Ford EscortStuart Saker
Pat Hogan86Ford Escort MkI RS2000Pat Hogan
Graham Mein87Ford Escort MkI RS2000Graham Mein
David Seldon88Triumph Dolomite SprintDavid Seldon
Bob Holden/Shell Sport88Ford Escort RS2000Greg Toepfer
Kerry Cox89Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1Kerry Cox
Peter Lander89Morris Clubman GTPeter Lander
Wayne Sweetland90Holden ToranaWayne Sweetland
Graham Harrison91Alfa Romeo 2000 GTVGraham Harrison
Ken Harrison91Ford EscortKen Harrison
Gary Whittaker92Toyota CorollaGary Whittaker
Robyn Hamilton93Holden GeminiRobyn Hamilton
Gary Leggatt94Fiat 128 3PGary Leggatt
Deane Hill95Holden GeminiDeane Hill
Ray Kaleda97Holden ToranaRay Kaleda
Greville Arnel97Ford EscortGreville Arnel
Martin Power97Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1Martin Power
David Langman98Holden LH Torana SLR5000 L34David Langman
Graeme Adams99Ford Capri V6Graeme Adams
Louis Stoopman Jr99BMW 2002tiiLouis Stoopman J
Russell Worthington100Mazda RX-3Russell Worthington
Jeff Ogg101Mazda RX-3Jeff Ogg
Geoff Moran102Ford Capri V6Geoff Moran
Eric Olsen103Mazda RX-3Eric Olsen
Barry Jones108Mazda RX-3Barry Jones
Mollison Motors109Honda CivicMatthew Phillip
Max Patterson111Honda CivicMax Patterson
John Nelson114Datsun 1600John Nelson
Annette Williams118Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1Annette Williams

Calendar

The 1977 Australian Touring Car Championship was contested over eleven rounds.[1]

Rd.Race / circuitCity / state DateFormatWinnerCarTeamReport
1Symmons Plains
Symmons Plains Raceway		Launceston
Tasmania		7 MarchTwo heatsAllan MoffatFord XB Falcon GT HardtopMoffat Ford Dealers
2Calder
Calder Park Raceway		Melbourne
Victoria		20 MarchOne raceAllan MoffatFord XB Falcon GT HardtopMoffat Ford Dealers
3Oran Park
Oran Park Raceway		Sydney
New South Wales		27 MarchOne raceAllan MoffatFord XB Falcon GT HardtopMoffat Ford Dealers
4Amaroo Park
Amaroo Park		Sydney
New South Wales		10 AprilOne raceAllan MoffatFord XB Falcon GT HardtopMoffat Ford Dealers
5Sandown
Sandown International Raceway		Melbourne
Victoria		17 AprilOne raceAllan MoffatFord XB Falcon GT HardtopMoffat Ford Dealers[3]
6Silver Jubilee Trophy
Adelaide International Raceway		Adelaide
South Australia		5 JuneOne raceColin BondFord XB Falcon GT HardtopMoffat Ford Dealers
7The Governor's Trophy[4]
Lakeside International Raceway		Brisbane
Queensland		26 JuneOne racePeter BrockHolden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34Bill Patterson Racing
8Hang Ten 400
Sandown International Raceway		Melbourne
Victoria		11 September1 x 500 km racePeter BrockHolden LX Torana SS A9XBill Patterson Racingreport
9Rothmans 250[5]
Adelaide International Raceway		Adelaide
South Australia		23 October1 x 250 km raceAllan MoffatFord XC Falcon GS500 HardtopMoffat Ford Dealers
10Rothmans 300[6]
Surfers Paradise International Raceway		Surfers Paradise
Queensland		6 November1 x 300 km raceAllan MoffatFord XC Falcon GS500 HardtopMoffat Ford Dealers
11Ready Plan Insurance Phillip Island 500K
Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit		Phillip Island
Victoria		20 November1 x 500 km raceAllan GriceHolden LX Torana SS A9XCraven Mild Racingreport

Classes

For points-scoring purposes, cars competing in the Australian Touring Car Championship were classified into one of two classes defined by engine capacity.[7]

Points system

Australian Touring Car Championship points were awarded to drivers as follows:

Pos1st2nd3rd4th5th6th
All Rounds
Outright		4321
Rounds 1–7
each class		964321
Rounds 8–11
each class		1286421

Only the best six scores from the first seven rounds and the best two scores from the last four rounds counted towards the championship totals.[7]

Points were awarded only where a car completed 75% of race distance and was running at the completion of the final lap.

Results

Results of the 1977 Australian Touring Car Championship were as follows:

Pos.[8] DriverSymCalOraAmaSanAdeLakSanAdeSurPhiPts
1Allan Moffat1st(13)1st(13)1st(13)1st(13)1st(13)2nd(9)Ret3rd((8))1st(16)1st(16)106(114)
2Colin Bond2nd(9)2nd(9)8th2nd(9)2nd(9)1st(13)2nd(9)5th(5)2nd(11)Ret5th((2))74(76)
3Peter Brock3rd(6)3rd(6)3rd(6)7th4th(4)3rd(6)1st(13)1st(16)9th3rd(8)Ret65
4Lawrie Nelson(9)(4)(9)10th(6)6th(12)(6)46
5Bob Morris(6)Ret(9)10th(9)Ret(9)Ret2nd(11)44
6John Harvey8th4th(4)2nd(9)Ret3rd(6)5th(2)3rd(6)Ret3rd(8)4th(5)40
7Allan GriceRetRet5th(2)3rd(6)4th(4)2nd(11)1st(16)39
8Rod Stevens10th(9)(6)Ret10th(12)27
9Ray Gulson(4)(6)10th(8)18
Frank Porter9th(6)9th(12)18
11Peter JansonRet10thRet5th(2)2nd(11)13
12Barry Seton7th(12)12
13Jim RichardsRetRet6th(1)5th(2)3rd(8)11
Nick Louis9th(9)Ret(2)11
15Murray Carter4th(4)6th(1)8th8th6th(1)4th(4)Ret7th10th10
Charlie O'Brien6th(1)5th(2)4th(4)5th(2)6th(1)Ret8th10
Ray Farrar18th(6)(4)10
Russell Worthington8th(6)(4)10
19Lyndon ArnelRet(8)8
Paul Gulson(8)8
John Duggan7th(8)8
22Dick JohnsonRet5th(2)RetRet4th(5)7
Warren Cullen8th9th6th(1)6th(1)4th(5)7
Arthur Hardwick(3)(4)7
25John Millard(6)6
Alan Cant(6)6
Russell Skaife(6)6
28John Goss4th(4)Ret8th6th(1)5
Peter Granger(3)(2)5
Roger Cartwright(4)(1)5
31George Adams(4)4
Ray Cutchie(4)Ret4
Deane Hill(4)4
Ralph Radburn10th(4)4
35Jim Laing-Peach(3)Ret3
David Clement(3)3
37Ian Diffen5th(2)7th2
Ron Dickson9th9th7th5th(2)2
Graeme Blanchard5th(2)2
Ron Gillard(2)2
Ben Penhall(2)Ret2
Warwick Henderson(2)2
Peter Hopwood(2)2
Ross Burbidge(2)2
John Faulkner(2)2
46Garth Wigston7th6th(1)7th7th1
Neville Bridges6th(1)1
Wayne NegusRet6th(1)1
Gordon Rich(1)1
Chris Heyer(1)13th1
Brian Potts9th(1)1
Jim Stewart(1)1
Alf Grant(1)1
PosDriverSymCalOraAmaSanAdeLakSanAdeSurPhiPts

Note: South African driver Basil van Rooyen placed fourth at Round 8 (the Hang Ten 400 at Sandown) but was not eligible to score points.[8]

Australian Championship of Makes

The 1977 Australian Championship of Makes was awarded on the results of the final four rounds of the 1977 Australian Touring Car Championship.[7] It was the seventh circuit racing championship for manufacturers to be awarded by CAMS and the second to carry the Australian Championship of Makes name.

Classes

For pointscoring purposes, cars competed in four classes defined by engine capacity[7]

Points

Points were awarded for the six best placed cars in class in each of the four rounds on a 9-6-4-3-2-1 basis with only the highest scoring car of each make attracting points.[7]

Results

Position Make[9] Points
1Ford87
2Alfa Romeo37
3Honda30
4Holden28
5Mazda12
=Datsun12
=Leyland12
8Fiat10
9Toyota3
10Volkswagen2

External links

Notes and References

  1. Australian Competition Yearbook, 1978 edition
  2. Book: Howard. Graham. Wilson. Stewart . Australian Touring Car Championship 25 fabulous years . 1986 . R&T Publishing . 0-9590378-2-9 . 178–186 . 1977: Falcons' clean-sweep .
  3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p9x8Xl0Meg 1977 ATCC Rd.5 - Sandown
  4. Web site: 1977 ATCC . The Programme Covers Project . 16 February 2020.
  5. News: Bob . Jennings . Moffat leads Falcons home . 24 October 1977 . The Advertiser.
  6. Touring Title to Moffat, The Courier Mail, Monday, 7 November 1977, page 19
  7. Conditions for Australian Titles, 1977 CAMS Manual of Motor Sport, pages 86-91
  8. Book: Howard . Graham . Wilson . Stewart . Geenhaigh . David . The official history - Australian Touring Car Championship - 50 Years . 2011 . 178.
  9. "Championship of Makes" Final Pointscore, Racing Car News, January 1978, page 29

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