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Did Moffat crash the works Falcon GT-HO at Sandown in 1972?


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#1 RedPepper

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Posted 10 December 2014 - 22:46

Does anyone know if Allan Moffat crashed the works Falcon GT-HO (1D) at Sandown on practice in September 1972 either on the Friday or the Saturday?

 

I've heard from a few sources that he had but I haven't been able to source any photographs. Apparently the crash happened at 'Pete's corner' where he went in backwards severely damaging the car.

 

 



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#2 Ray Bell

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Posted 11 December 2014 - 03:32

You mean 'Peter's' Corner...

The RCN report was written by Tom Naughton and his review of practice was reasonably complete. He also goes into detail about the CAMS hearing and other events leading up to the meeting, so it would seem he would have mentioned it had he known about such a crash.

And he surely would have as he was competing himself in a Charger.

#3 Ray Bell

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Posted 12 December 2014 - 00:24

This incident was bugging me so I went looking...

I knew I remembered Moffat going in backwards at Shell some time, it was at the '71 Tasman Cup meeting and the report reads so:
 

Moffat in Trouble
In practice for the main supporting race, the second round of the 1971 South Pacific Touring Car Championship, interest was more centred on the string of Toranas rather than the Falcons who have essentially had it their way in Series racing on this circuit. But Bond made it clear right from the outset that he was the one to beat in this class, with a 1:25.8, and Leffler was best of the rest with 1:27.7 in his Allan Mason car till Brian Reed did a scorching 1:25.5 in the final session.

Predictably, Moffat spreadeagled the Class E cars and the field with a 1:23.3 with only McPhee in the other works car to keep him company at 1:24.3. But what was not predictable was a moment's indiscretion at Shell and Moffat converted the HO to the appearance of a utility against the Armco. "Brain failure" was Allan's only comment when asked what was the cause of the accident, but it meant a lot of work overnight.

McPhee for a Change


When they lined up on race day, Moffat was there on pole, although the car looked distinctly like a new one. At the flagfall, Moffat was away, but it was McPhee who led them up the back straight...


I'm pretty sure this was the occasion where Bruce McPhee told me his car had been changed overnight. Apparently he had nothing to do with the setting up of the cars and just turned up to drive, maybe getting involved in debriefs, but not going to the workshop etc.

Anyway, he was pretty upset that Moffat was always given what he wanted and that his own lot was just to take what he was given.

Edited by Ray Bell, 12 December 2014 - 00:25.


#4 RedPepper

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Posted 17 December 2014 - 04:36

Thanks Ray, this could well have been the incident. What month did this happen in?



#5 Ray Bell

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Posted 17 December 2014 - 09:10

As mentioned, it was at the Tasman Cup meeting...

That was always February at Sandown (and most Australian circuits).

#6 Lola5000

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Posted 13 May 2020 - 08:29

As mentioned, it was at the Tasman Cup meeting...

That was always February at Sandown (and most Australian circuits).

Hi Ray,can I ask what you remember of the change of Falcons at this meeting.

 

Reason its perhaps thought the damaged car was the 1970 Bathurst 500 winning car 64E and that after Sandown was repaired and  on sold to Geoghegan's Sports car world by one of the Lot 6 mechanics  as the Bathurst 500 car 64E and that another factory car there were three :eek:  1970 sold to a Ford dealer who then on sold it as the winning car .

 

Thoughts?



#7 Ray Bell

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Posted 16 May 2020 - 01:15

I would have no idea...

 

I just posted my recollection of what Bruce McPhee told me in the pits that day, he reckoned his ride height was different to what it had been the previous day. I don't think he was implying that it was a different car for him, which might have been the case if Ford had swapped cars for Moffat.