Racing at a challenging circuit like Mount Panorama and crashing comes with the territory, with some of the sport’s legends coming a cropper on this legendary piece of tarmac.
The Repco Garage highlights some of the most spectacular incidents to take place at Mount Panorama. Remember to voice your opinion on the Repco social media platforms on your most memorable crashes.
Opening lap pile up – 1969 Hardie-Ferodo 500
Arguably the first big one was the opening lap incident in 1969 involving two larger capacity cars tangling ending in Bill Brown and a variety of others including future Bathurst winner John French upside down. A majority of the field were caught up in the incident as with no communication between the top and the bottom there was some mystery to where half the field went! The track was blocked and only cleared just prior to the leaders returned.
Tony Roberts – 1970 Hardie-Ferodo 500
Way before concrete walls lined the circuit, Tony Roberts took a tumble down the side of the mountain driving his own privately entered Ford XW Falcon GT-HO Phase II. With just six laps remaining of the event, Roberts lost his Sinclair Ford-sponsored entry at Skyline where he flew off the edge backwards and rolled multiple times before resting against a tree. Amazingly, the GT-HO continued to be raced as an XY and Roberts continued to race.
Bill Brown – 1971 Hardie-Ferodo 500
A burst tyre led to one of Bathurst’s most scary incidents. Bill Brown was lucky to only suffer minor injuries and a volunteer official emerged an arm injury when his yellow Ford XY Falcon GT-HO Phase III hurtled into the fence of which it barrel rolled along. The volunteer official just from being hit in a remarkable escape. A broken seat saved Brown from further injuries.
Rod McRae – 1974 Hardie-Ferodo 1000
One of the more dangerous incidents to occur at the Mountain, Rod McRae hit a puddle while battling Jim Richards along Conrod Straight leading to a spectacular spin, barrel roll and crash with a tree. Although not caught on camera, the after effects of the were captured of the Dustings L34 Torana bent like a banana to the side of Conrod Straight.
Tim Schenken – 1976 Hardie-Ferodo 1000
Many drivers have experienced disappointment at McPhillamy Park and long-time Race Director Tim Schenken is one of them. While leading his class in a factory Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV, Schenken rolled the Italian coupe he was sharing with Paul Bernasconi during the closing stages leading to an interesting interaction with the folk at the top of the hill.
Yoshimi Katayama – 1977 Hardie-Ferodo 1000
Japanese driver Yoshimi Katayama found the going real tough at Bathurst in 1977 when driving the Craven Mild Mazda RX-3 after he rolled multiple times at Murray’s Corner. Katayama had ridden motorbikes with distinction before making his debut at Bathurst, however it ended with this spectacular roll. Later, he joined Allan Moffat for a couple of 1000s finishing a best of second in 1983.
Ron Harrop – 1979 Hardie-Ferodo 1000
Imagine not having any brakes approaching Griffin’s Bend? Well, this happened to Ron Harrop driving alongside John Harvey in the second Holden Dealer Team Torana A9X. Hitting the concrete wall with some force, Harrop ended up in the paddock on the outside of the bend.
Dick Johnson – 1980 Hardie-Ferodo 1000
This might be the most famous crash on the list and maybe the one enjoying the largest legacy. After dominating the opening stint of the 1980 Great Race and having just lapped key rival Peter Brock, Dick Johnson encountered a tow truck heading to Reid Park, but a rock was on the ideal line. Leading to a destructive collision with the outside concrete wall, the fan-driven campaign to follow funded Johnson’s successful ATCC and Bathurst tilt the next year.
Bob Morris and Christine Gibson – 1981 James Hardie 1000
A race ending crash between two big Falcons and involving multiple entries unable to avoid the wreckage blocking the track. Bob Morris was attempting to lap Christine Gibson’s XD Falcon at McPhillamy, but the two collided leading to both wrecks blocking the track. The Commodores of Garry Rogers, Tony Edmondson, a Gemini and Kevin Bartlett’s Channel 9 Chevrolet Camaro were also involved. Morris at the time was seriously challenging race leader Dick Johnson.
Kevin Bartlett – 1982 James Hardie 1000
A broken rim sent Kevin Bartlett’s Channel 9 Chevrolet Camaro into a roll at Reid Park, ending a frustrating era for the former Formula 5000 frontrunner in touring cars. It has been the but of all jokes for more than 40 years due to it being referenced as the Channel 6 Camaro.
Dick Johnson – 1983 James Hardie 1000 (Hardie’s Heroes)
Not even in the race, Dick Johnson sent his Greens Tuf Falcon into the trees exiting Forrest’s Elbow in Hardie’s Heroes qualifying leading to a large effort from his team and the TAFE Smash Repair squad to switch to a freshly bought chassis for the event. It made the start, but a multitude of problems were encountered during the race.
Tom Walkinshaw – 1984 James Hardie 1000
Driving John Goss’ Group C Jaguar XJS, Brit Tom Walkinshaw failed to get off the line and was collected by John Tesoriero in the former Channel 9 Camaro and Peter Williamson’s new Gorup A Toyota Supra. The track was blocked forcing a race restart, which all three failed to make.
Peter Williamson – 1986 James Hardie 1000
Two years after failing to get past the start, Peter Williamson didn’t make the grid following a scary incident approaching Murray’s Corner in his Toyota Supra. This incident prevented Mark Skaife from making his Great Race debut as he was scheduled to share the entry.
Lucio Cesario – 1987 James Hardie 1000
A big incident for the former factory Lancia driver contesting race alongside team leader Colin Bond in the Caltex Alfa Romeo 75 made history by requiring the first safety car of the Great Race. Lucio Cesario lost the Alfa Romeo through The Esses and hit the outside wall twice as the 75 lay stricken on the circuit heading towards The Dipper.
Brian Callaghan Jr and Andrew Harris – 1992 Tooheys 1000
Conditions in 1992 were deplorable and it was no surprise a crash ended the event early. Exiting the kink on Conrod Straight, the two Commodores of Brian Callaghan Jr and Andrew Harris collided before the race winning Winfield Racing Nissan Skyline GT-R joined the pair as Jim Richards aquaplaned on slicks. Joining those three were two Toyota Corollas including the class leader.