Peter Brock

Without Prejudice

The facts, thanks to Wikipedia, the personal--Thanks To Shannon's, more personal by me .....

The 1972 Hardie-Ferodo 500 was an endurance motor race open to Group E Series Production Touring Cars.^[1]The race was held on 1 October 1972 at the Mount Panorama Circuit just outside Bathurst in New South Wales, Australia. Cars competed in four classes defined by Capacity Price Units, where the engine capacity, expressed in litres (to three decimal places), was multiplied by the purchase price in Australian dollars to arrive at a CP value for each vehicle.^[2] It was the 13th running of the Bathurst 500 race and the last to be held over the original distance of 500 miles. It was also the last to allow drivers to compete for the full distance without a relief driver. The race was the third round of the 1972 Australian Manufacturers' Championship.

The race was memorable as the first time rain had significantly affected the race. It was won by Peter Brock driving a Holden Dealer Team prepared Holden Torana, the first of Brock's record nine victories. Brock finished a lap ahead of Queensland racer John French driving a Ford XY Falcon GT-HO Phase III. A further lap behind was the Chrysler Valiant Charger of Doug Chivas. It was the only time the big three manufacturers of Australia in the 60's and 70's all had representatives in the top three finishers.

I remember that day, October 1st, 1972.  It was to be a dull Sunday I had thought. I had two little girls, aged almost 2 and almost 1. We lived then in a half brick house in Oakleigh. Only one bedroom so we utilised the dining room which was enclosed with etched glass doors, setting it apart from the lounge room. 

The faded green bathroom was a cool spot on a hot day and was at the end of a vast high ceilinged hall. Our bedroom was down the other end of the house with no wardrobes. We hung our clothes around the room on the picture rail. 

It wasn't our dream house, that was to come the following year. In Keysborough. 

It was raining at Bathurst that year making driving challenging. The location of Mount Panorama ( normally a breathtaking vista ) near Orange NSW, made for a daunting drive for the spectators, but they came in their droves. Almost as if they knew by osmosis how exciting and challenging the race would be.

I had been there as a child and finding the race boring opted instead to run around like a maniac and running down the first hill ripped my knee open on unseen barbed wire. 

The following year I chose not to go, staying in the house on my own and regretting my decision the whole time my siblings and parents were gone. 

So now as an adult I sat down to watch in 1972 and fully expected to not enjoy it.

Alan Moffatt was the favourite, the consummate professional driver. All the drivers were aware it would be the last race of 500 miles and the last time a single driver would operate each vehicle.

There was Colin Bond, who won in 1969, Peter Brock driving a 6 cylinder Torana, up against the mighty V 8 's. Leo Gaugin, all the cream of Australian car racing ready to battle it out for first place. 

On the 3rd lap, Colin Bond flipped as he lead the field. He was on two tyres and went past on his roof. There were no barriers in those days. There had been no warm up laps and he had asked for " wet " tyres and received instead " intermediates" . Peter Brock or Brocky as he became affectionately known later, had the " wet " tyres.

Bond " hit the pebbles" according to Harry Firth and Fred Gibson muttered one word,

" Out" 

And Bonds day of racing was over. 

Brock continued on, he was regarded as a bit of a cheeky bugger, good looking, charismatic, popular with the ladies and young, only 27. He had no bother " hitting the dirt " to pass other drivers. His style of driving was one of " just get in the car and drive", he showed no outward nervousness. 

The Torana was well balanced had good brakes, good handling and good suspension. It was a little ripper. The other vehicles, the magnificent beasts like the GTHO and The Monaro were thought up until that day to be unbeatable. And they were until it rained. 

Moffatt was known to be a brilliant driver, it was noted that " he wasn't a physically fit sort of guy. " and he was having to work very hard to concentrate and focus but he was very professional. Everyone knew that.

Brock was talented, friendly a real people person, finding it no bother to sign the fans autographs or chat. Moffatt more reserved. 

John French was a very under rated driver, commented one Team Manager. 

Moffatt had trouble with pit stops, one lasting 6 and a half minutes, gaining him two, one minute penalties. 

And in the pits the weirdest tool ever appeared that year, an axe, that was used to chop away at a front guard so the wheel could once again turn. Imagine that in today's races !

On the straight Brock hit water and flipped on to his roof. One of the other drivers commented on Brocks, fearlessness, 

" He passes me on his roof, his roof and he was still smiling " 

It was neck and neck, Moffatt passing Brock, Brock passing Moffatt. 

Then in the final mile Brock was ahead of the pack, leading John French by a lap. As Brock flew over the finish line he had no idea how his life was going to change. He was an emerging Syperstar, with an amazing win, an enormous win. 

The Monaro XU1 ( Monaro's  had won in 68 and 69 ) was considered a " mistake " , not competitive, it needed to be a V8, it was said. 

And that was how a daring, small, light Torana driven by a cheeky bugger won The Hardie Ferodo 500 at Bathurst in1972, seems so Australian, doesn't it ? 

Nettie x