I was rummaging in the "library" here at Swamp Manor this morning, and spent a moment looking over some of "the Grest Race" editions on the shelf... got me thinking:
Which ATCC/Supercar season was your favourite?
For mine: 1986. There have been much better years to be a Ford/DJR supporter, but the early Gp.A years were fantastic. I'm not old enough to have seen Improved Production, or to remember the 70's vividly... while I will always love the Group C cars, and have by-and-large cherished the V8SC era, 1986 had heaps to offer...
While DJ was stuck in his second year with the venerable, but gorgeous Mustang, with no significant homologation concessions for the season. We had the debut of the Skyline RB20's. Glenn Seton made his sensational debut for the Peter Jackson Nissan squad. Graeme Crosby crossed the Tasman on four wheels and made a sensational ATCC debut in a Perkins-built Commodore, and added some more RaceCam entertainment to the Channel 7 telecasts. Australian drivers took Australian cars into the heart of Group A - Europe - and acquitted themselves more than well... hell, Allan Grice built himself an international career on the shoulders of his efforts in an unsponsored Commodore! They took the King's Cup at the Spa 24 hours - 3 Commodores started, three finished.
We had a first-time champ in Robbie Francevic, and a first for the Swedish Valiant: we saw John Bowe make his touring car debut, in his second ADC-winning year. Allan Moffat made a come-back after a year out of the game, with the Mobil Holden Dealer Team. Jim Richards gave the JPS BMW 635CSi - arguably the prettiest of all touring cars - its last year in his hands before the switch to he M3 in 1987. George Fury, Talmalmo Farmer, bus driver and multiple Australian Rayy Champion, went as close as he would ever come to winning the ATCC.
Mark Skaife first appeared at Bathurst - albeit briefly, as the car he was to co-drive was written off in Thursday practice and did not compete. Grice won Bathurst for the first time. John French made his last race appearance at he Big Hill. Larry Perkins debuted his eponymous touring car team, with Enzed sponsorship, and a very good VK Commodore. Mad Andy Miedecke made his maiden Bathurst appearance.
And true tragedy first touched the Great Race, with the death of ARDC stalwart and long-time promotor of young talent, Mike Burgmann.
Like I said earlier, as a Ford and DJR supporter, there were better years... but for variety - in cars, drivers and events - and good hard racing, 1986 was a corker.
Which ATCC/Supercar season was your favourite?
For mine: 1986. There have been much better years to be a Ford/DJR supporter, but the early Gp.A years were fantastic. I'm not old enough to have seen Improved Production, or to remember the 70's vividly... while I will always love the Group C cars, and have by-and-large cherished the V8SC era, 1986 had heaps to offer...
While DJ was stuck in his second year with the venerable, but gorgeous Mustang, with no significant homologation concessions for the season. We had the debut of the Skyline RB20's. Glenn Seton made his sensational debut for the Peter Jackson Nissan squad. Graeme Crosby crossed the Tasman on four wheels and made a sensational ATCC debut in a Perkins-built Commodore, and added some more RaceCam entertainment to the Channel 7 telecasts. Australian drivers took Australian cars into the heart of Group A - Europe - and acquitted themselves more than well... hell, Allan Grice built himself an international career on the shoulders of his efforts in an unsponsored Commodore! They took the King's Cup at the Spa 24 hours - 3 Commodores started, three finished.
We had a first-time champ in Robbie Francevic, and a first for the Swedish Valiant: we saw John Bowe make his touring car debut, in his second ADC-winning year. Allan Moffat made a come-back after a year out of the game, with the Mobil Holden Dealer Team. Jim Richards gave the JPS BMW 635CSi - arguably the prettiest of all touring cars - its last year in his hands before the switch to he M3 in 1987. George Fury, Talmalmo Farmer, bus driver and multiple Australian Rayy Champion, went as close as he would ever come to winning the ATCC.
Mark Skaife first appeared at Bathurst - albeit briefly, as the car he was to co-drive was written off in Thursday practice and did not compete. Grice won Bathurst for the first time. John French made his last race appearance at he Big Hill. Larry Perkins debuted his eponymous touring car team, with Enzed sponsorship, and a very good VK Commodore. Mad Andy Miedecke made his maiden Bathurst appearance.
And true tragedy first touched the Great Race, with the death of ARDC stalwart and long-time promotor of young talent, Mike Burgmann.
Like I said earlier, as a Ford and DJR supporter, there were better years... but for variety - in cars, drivers and events - and good hard racing, 1986 was a corker.
