It’s just over half a century since what arguably many touring car fans believe is the greatest to ever happen in this country.
Back then just like it is now was a Ford Mustang versus Chevrolet Camaro battle, but mix in the Super Falcon and Holden Monaros, it had the makings of a great race.
Allan Moffat was in his iconic Coca-Cola Ford Mustang up against Pete Geoghegan in the Ford Super Falcon, the ATCC winning Holden Monaro of Norm Beechey, Bob Jane’s orange Chevrolet Camaro and John Harvey in the recently completed Holden HQ Monaro.
The Super Falcon was an unreliable beast early on, so much so Moffat gave up on it and returned to his Mustang, however Geoghegan persisted as ahead of the 1972 season it went through a re-development phase courtesy of open-wheel engineering firm Bowin.
The remaining entries consisted of Mike Stillwell’s amazing Ford Escort and many Series Production models driven by privateers.
A 3s gap between Moffat and Geoghegan in practice wasn’t representative of the tight battle to come.
Moffat was slow away in the Coca-Cola Mustang allowing Geoghegan and Jane to hold the advantage up the Mountain. Jane held the lead until Conrod Straight when arch-rival Moffat flew past, before Geoghegan further demoted the orange Camaro a position.
It wasn’t long until the ‘Super Falcon’ hit the lead, leading to a battle for the ages between the Geoghegan and Moffat.
Geoghegan displayed his cunningness in braking earlier at Murray’s Corner, saving his brakes for any last lap challenge Moffat had for him and it proved to be the case as he took a famous victory.
As for the others, Jane was out for a piston failure, Beechey retired with a broken gearbox and brakes ended Harvey’s race.
Luckily, all involved in the battle during this day – cars that is – have survived and will continue to be cherished for generations to come.