As Repco provides a chance for fans to win a replica Peter Brock Trophy, the Garage will feature five of the legendary driver’s memorable moments.
The first of these moments will be his maiden Hardie-Ferodo 500 victory in 1972 driving the Holden Dealer Team LJ Torana GTR XU-1 in the wet.
HDT boss Harry Firth made a couple of bold decisions around this time starting with selecting Brock to drive alongside Des West at Bathurst in 1969 before transitioning from the big Monaro to the compact Torana in 1970.
Brock was emerging as a rising star during this time in both circuit and rallycross competitions as HDT teammate continued his rallying career alongside his racing on tarmac elevating the Torana to greatness.
The 1972 edition of the Hardie-Ferodo 500 came at a controversial time in motor racing as the ‘Supercar Scare’ occurred a few months beforehand culminating in new homologated models from Ford, Holden and Chrysler being cancelled. Thus, ending the development of a V8-powered Torana.
It proved a landmark event in being the last to be covered by 500 miles as the race went metric to 1000km now requiring two drivers for 1973, while it was the first time it had rained significantly in its 13-year history.
Rain suited the nimble Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1s, but Ford rival Allan Moffat took pole on a 2m 35.8s to line up alongside privateer John Goss as the XY Falcon GT-HO Phase III locked out the top four positions. Brock was the first of the Holdens in fifth, 2.4s slower than Moffat.
Having won the previous two Bathurst 500s, Moffat was going to be hard to beat and led the early running. The pressure from Brock and Torana privateer Graham Moore was unrelenting early on. HDT lost Bond as he came unstuck at the top of the Mountain rolling his Torana GTR XU-1 multiple times.
This told when Moffat spun the big Falcon at Sulman Park allowing Brock to take a lead he never let up. Ford’s hero did fight back, but was delayed when he was twice penalised one-minute after starting his engine to early during a pit stop. A brake problem late in the race further hampered Moffat.
Brock was also penalised one-minute for the same infraction, but with Moore spearing off into the guard rail at Griffin’s Bend it gave Brock a clear path to his maiden victory. It proved a breakthrough win for the young Victorian driver as it significantly raised his profile and solidified his place as Holden’s leading star.
Apart from Moffat, Ford’s chances were hurt by Fred Gibson rolling at McPhillamy Park on lap 22 as the privateer Queensland Falcon GTHO Phase III of Ford dealer Bryan Byrt was driven to a fine second a lap behind Brock by John French.
French was a real chance of winning as the race reached its conclusion due to the drying conditions suiting the more powerful GTHO Phase III, but time was against his challenge.
Viewed as an underdog compared to Ford and Holden, Chrysler decided to pull out of motorsport due to the ‘Supercars Scare’ as it finished third through veteran Doug Chivas partnered by Damon Beck.
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