One of the more iconic Group C entries during the early 1980s is Bob Muir’s Army Reserve Racing Ford XD Falcon and given it is Anzac Day on Monday what better time to feature it.
Muir had devoted his motorsport career to reaching the heights of Formula 1 of which he nearly did, however after returning to Australia in the late 1970s the touring car is king.
While building up an XD Falcon, Muir recalled while racing Formula 5000 in the US the Navy had sponsored a rival and with the Australian Army Reserve going hard in its recruitment campaign, what’s the chances it would sponsor his campaign?
Very good indeed in fact, as the Australian Army Reserve came onboard to sponsor Muir at both Sandown and Bathurst where he recruited Kingsley Hibbard to drive, but it was a disaster as the XD retired after only seven laps in the 1000.
In a unique initiation at the time, Army recruits worked within the pit crew and the entry was supported by a variety of activations by the Reserve.
Despite a disappointing affair at the endurance events, the XD demonstrated promise in the Gold Coast 300 where Muir qualified third and held the position until overheating problems resulted in an engine fire.
Signing on for the entire touring car championship armed with continued support by the Australian Army Reserve, it proved a frustrating affair as a crash at Sandown forced the team to miss a few rounds. Also, realising it was down on power and carrying additional weight, Muir was becoming disenchanted with the whole campaign despite bring Pete Geoghegan to drive with him at Bathurst.
It was another disastrous run at the Mountain with an overtightened sump forcing the team to replace the gasket, leaving the XD to finish 29th and the final classified finisher.
But that was it, the Australian Army Reserve pulled out its sponsorship at the end of 1981 and although raced lightly at the start of the next season, before Muir stepped away.
After a colourful career post-Muir, it continues to race in historic Group C races today.