November 25, 1978, two years after winning his Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship, James Hunt arrived at Winton Motor Raceway to contest the Rose City 10,000.
Since his win in 1976, which has been immortalised in the movie Rush, Hunt and McLaren had struggled as ground effects ruled the roost courtesy of Lotus.
The Rose City 10,000 was separate to the prestigious Gold Star Australian Driver’s Championship later in the year, with Ken Campbell of Kenlaw Promotions and the Benalla Auto Club combining to raise $30,000 for the exercise to bring Hunt out.
Garrie Cooper and his Elfin concern were installed to support the entry, which was a MR8 Chevrolet F5000.
Hunt’s attendance proved a hit for the Benalla Auto Club when 15,000 spectators were hosted on race day and while the Englishman arrived ‘well inebriated’, but it said his respect for everyone from media to the Elfin crew to fans was fantastic.
Shepparton local Peter Fowler, known for his long association with Bryan Thomson led Elfin’s crew during the event.
Fowler aided in getting Hunt comfortable by adjusting seat, pedals, steering, gearshift and a small lever added to belts to help the exit on the Wednesday prior to the event.
The next two days were scheduled to be testing days, but a dirty track on Thursday was followed by rain on Friday left Hunt getting his first proper laps on Saturday.
Setting pole position at 55s on Winton’s older, short layer was 0.7s faster than John McCormack and the world champion duly took the victory by 40s ahead of Alf Costanzo.
It is said the MR8 had little wear or tear to leave in beautiful condition as Hint truly impressed and gave a taste of Formula 1 when Australia were very lucky to experience it.
Hunt was paid his full freight, but the event proved a financial disaster for the Benalla Auto Club as demonstrated by Elfin receiving just $1000 of its deal.
However, the event is credited for bringing confidence back to Elfin following founder Cooper’s lucky escape at Sandown when wing mount failure sent him off at the back straight.
Moving to Wolf and aligning again with Harvey Postlewaite, Hunt was full of hope to be on the pace, but he didn’t adapt to a driving style to suit the ground effects leading to his retirement at Monaco.
Formula 1 drivers became regular fixtures at future Australian Grands Prix as Bob Jane led the charge to get a World Championship round locally.