Allan Moffat facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Allan Moffat, OBE
Moffat racing in the 1970 Rothmans 250 Production Classic
Born	(1939-11-10)10 November 1939 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Died	22 November 2025(2025-11-22) (aged 86) Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Retired	1989
Related to	James Moffat (son)
Australian Touring Car Championship
Years active	1965–89
Teams	Allan Moffat Racing
Starts	100
Wins	32
Best finish	1st in 1973, 1976, 1977 & 1983 Australian Touring Car Championship
Previous series
1976 1980 1986 1986 1987	Australian Sports Sedan Ch. Australian Sports Car Champ. Australian Endurance Champ. FIA Touring Car Champ. World Touring Car Champ.
Championship titles
1973 1976 1976 1977 1980 1982 1983 1984	Australian Touring Car Champ. Australian Sports Sedan Ch. Australian Touring Car Champ. Australian Touring Car Champ. Australian Sports Car Champ. Australian Endurance Champ. Australian Touring Car Champ. Australian Endurance Champ.
Awards
1978 1999 2018	Order of the British Empire V8 Supercars Hall of Fame Sport Australia Hall of Fame

Allan George Moffat (born November 10, 1939, and passed away on November 22, 2025) was a famous race car driver from Canada and Australia. He was known for his amazing skills on the track. Moffat won four championships in the Australian Touring Car Championship. He also achieved six wins in the Sandown 500 and four victories in the famous Bathurst 500/1000 races.

One of his big international wins was the 1975 12 Hours of Sebring race. Moffat was honored for his achievements. He was inducted into the V8 Supercars Hall of Fame in 1999. In 2018, he also joined the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

Moffat had a long-standing friendly rivalry with fellow driver Peter Brock. They were the only drivers to win the Great Race at Bathurst in both its older 500-mile and newer 1000-kilometer formats. Later, they even became co-drivers!

Allan Moffat's Racing Journey

Allan Moffat was born in Saskatoon, Canada. When he was 17, his family moved to Melbourne, Australia. His father worked for Massey Ferguson and was transferred there. In the early 1960s, Moffat began his incredible motor racing career. He started racing in a Triumph TR3 car.

Early Years and the Mustang Era (1964-1971)

Moffat began his endurance racing in 1964. He and Jon Leighton drove a Ford Cortina Lotus. They finished fourth in the 1964 Sandown 6 Hour International race. This event was the start of what is now the Sandown 500.

In 1965, Moffat first competed in the Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC). He drove a Lotus Cortina. After this, he spent time racing in the United States. He joined the new Trans-Am Series in 1966. He showed his talent by winning a race at Bryar Motorsports Park. He drove an Under 2L Lotus Cortina.

Moffat returned to Australia but also raced more in the US. He drove his Cortina and Ford Mustangs. He raced for Carroll Shelby in Trans-Am. He had Australian co-drivers like Horst Kwech and Harry Firth. Moffat even raced in the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring. He also drove a Mercury Cougar for Bud Moore Engineering.

By 1969, Moffat lived full-time in Australia. He became a regular ATCC competitor. His bright red Coca-Cola-sponsored Ford Boss 302 Mustang was famous. This car was specially built for racing. With help from his team, he won 101 races between 1969 and 1972. This included the first win for a factory Boss Mustang. However, winning the ATCC in his Mustang was a dream that took longer. He finished 6th in 1970, 2nd in 1971, and 3rd in 1972.

Moffat and his Mustang were part of some unforgettable ATCC races. In 1971, he battled Bob Jane for the championship. Moffat started from pole position. He had to slow down due to a gearbox issue. Still, he fought back and finished very close behind Jane. In 1972, he had another thrilling race with Ian Geoghegan at Bathurst. Moffat's Mustang had great handling and brakes. During this race, Moffat faced a challenge when oil sprayed onto his car's windscreen. He had to drive carefully to see the track. He protested Geoghegan's car after the race, but it was dismissed.

Allan Moffat in his Ford Boss 302 Mustang at Lakeside International Raceway

The Mustang was not allowed in the Bathurst 500 race. This race was only for standard production cars before 1973. So, Moffat made his Bathurst debut in 1969. He drove a Ford works team Ford Falcon XW GTHO. He and Alan Hamilton finished fourth. Moffat was known for being gentle on his car's tires. This showed he could drive fast without wearing them out quickly.

The next two years were huge for Moffat. He became one of Australia's top drivers. The Falcon GTHO became almost unbeatable. In 1970, Ford Australia improved the Falcon XW GTHO Phase II. Moffat drove this car to victory in the 1970 and 1971 Bathurst races. He also won the 1970 Rothmans 250 Production Classic. In 1971, he made history. He was the first driver to lead the Bathurst 500 from start to finish. He drove the famous Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III.

The Supercar Scare and Rivalry (1972)

Moffat hoped for a third straight Bathurst win in 1972. Ford planned an even faster car, the 'Phase IV' Falcon GTHO. But news articles about '160mph Supercars' caused a stir. The government and media worried about such fast cars on public roads. So, Ford stopped making the Phase IV. This meant Moffat had to race an older car at Bathurst. His rival, Peter Brock, won that year. This race kicked off their famous rivalry!

Moffat in his Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III at Surfers Paradise International Raceway, 1972

Championship Wins and New Challenges (1973-1980)

In 1973, new rules changed racing in Australia. The ATCC and Bathurst races were now for Group C Touring Cars. These cars were slightly modified. Ford decided to stop supporting factory teams after 1973. This meant Moffat had to create his own team. Despite this, he won his first ATCC title in 1973. He also won the 1973 Hardie-Ferodo 1000 at Bathurst with Ian Geoghegan. They were the first winners when the race changed from 500 miles to 1000 km.

One night, Moffat's Falcon was stolen before a race. Another driver, Murray Carter, kindly loaned him his car. Moffat still finished second and kept his points lead. His stolen car was later found abandoned.

A replica of the Ford Falcon GT Hardtop that Moffat and Ian Geoghegan drove to win the 1973 Bathurst 1000

After 1973, Moffat's Boss 302 Mustang was no longer allowed in the ATCC. He raced it in Sports Sedans. He later sent the Mustang back to America. It was eventually bought and restored by David Bowden. This Mustang was voted the most popular 'Muscle Car' ever in Australia.

Without factory support, Moffat raced as a private driver in 1974 and 1975. He won the 1974 Sandown 250 and the 1975 Rothmans 300. In 1975, he showed his international talent. He drove a BMW 3.0CSL with other top drivers. They won the 12 Hours of Sebring race.

Moffat returned to full-time ATCC racing in 1976. He drove his XB Falcon GT Hardtop. He won his second ATCC title that year. This was impressive, especially after a fire destroyed his race car. He had to borrow a car from rival John Goss for two races. He also won the first Australian Sports Sedan Championship.

In 1977, Moffat was dominant again. He had a two-car team called Moffat Ford Dealers. He won his third ATCC title. His new teammate, Colin Bond, also performed brilliantly. But the biggest win was at the 1977 Hardie-Ferodo 1000 at Bathurst. Moffat and his co-driver, Formula One star Jacky Ickx, won. Their team cars finished first and second. Moffat's car had brake problems, so Bond slowed down. They crossed the finish line side-by-side. This amazing finish is still one of the most famous moments in Australian racing history! Moffat received an Order of the British Empire in 1978 for his services to motorsport.

The Ford XC Falcon Hardtop that Allan Moffat and Jacky Ickx drove to win the 1977 Bathurst 1000

Moffat did not repeat his 1977 success in the next three years. He continued racing Falcons until 1980. In 1980, he won the Australian Sports Car Championship in a Porsche 934 turbo. He also raced at the 1980 24 Hours of Le Mans. He even drove for the Holden Dealer Team once, finishing third at Sandown. This was a rare moment, as he raced with his rival Peter Brock.

Mazda Racing Era (1981-1984)

In 1981, Moffat made a big change. He left Ford to drive a Mazda RX-7. This was a surprise to many Ford fans. He drove the RX-7 to four top-six finishes at Bathurst. This included a second place in 1983 and a third in 1984. He also won his fourth and final ATCC title in 1983. During this time, Moffat also won the 1982 and 1984 Australian Endurance Championships.

A replica of the Mazda RX-7 race car Moffat drove in 1982

Another view of the 1982 Mazda RX-7 race car replica

Moffat also raced his RX-7 at the 24 Hours of Daytona. He took a class win in 1982. In 1982, he raced at Le Mans again. He finished sixth in class. In 1983, he had to miss the Le Mans race. This was because it was on the same weekend as the final ATCC round. He needed to finish well to win his fourth title. He finished third, securing the championship by just six points.

The year 1984 was challenging for Moffat. He had a strong start in the ATCC. But then, his engine failed at Symmons Plains. He later won at Wanneroo. However, he had a big crash at Surfers Paradise. His Mazda was hit by another car. Moffat suffered injuries in the accident. The RX-7 was completely damaged.

After his crash, many thought Moffat might retire. But he returned to racing. He and Gregg Hansford won the Valvoline 250 at Oran Park. They also finished second at the Castrol 500 at Sandown. At the James Hardie 1000 at Bathurst, they finished third. Moffat's team entered two cars. He had to move into Hansford's car after his own car had engine problems. He then won the final Australian Endurance Championship.

In 1985, Moffat raced his RX-7 at Daytona again. He shared the car with other Australian drivers. They finished 7th in their class. Mazda was not interested in Group A racing. So, Moffat had to sit out the 1985 Australian season. He became a TV commentator for Channel 7.

Holden and Sierra Years (1986-1989)

Moffat returned to racing for four more years (1986–1989). In 1986, he joined his longtime rival and friend, Peter Brock. They raced for the Holden Dealer Team. The two most successful drivers in Australia quickly found success. They won the 1986 Wellington 500 in New Zealand. They then raced in Europe. They finished fifth twice in the FIA Touring Car Championship. They also competed in the 1986 Spa 24 Hours. They finished 22nd, but their team won the "Kings Cup" prize.

The Holden VL Commodore SS Group A driven by Allan Moffat and John Harvey, winners of the 1987 Monza 500

Before Spa, Moffat and Brock finished fifth at Surfers Paradise. They then raced at the 1986 Castrol 500 at Sandown. Brock qualified on pole, but they finished fourth. They were confident for the 1986 James Hardie 1000 at Bathurst. Moffat had a serious crash during qualifying. This meant their car missed the Top 10 run-off. They started 11th on the grid. The car was repaired, but they finished fifth in the race. Moffat had an injured wrist from the crash.

1987 started well with another Wellington 500 win for Brock and Moffat. Then, the Holden Dealer Team faced problems. Holden stopped working with Brock after he launched a special car called the HDT Director. This led Moffat to leave the team. He bought a new Holden VL Commodore SS Group A. He planned to race it in the World Touring Car Championship.

In the first round at Monza, Moffat and John Harvey finished seventh. They were later declared the winners. This was after other cars were disqualified for being underweight. However, they did not receive championship points. This was because the team had not paid a special entry fee. The car then had problems in the next two rounds. But Moffat and Harvey drove the Commodore to a fantastic fourth place at the Spa 24-hour race. They also won their class.

Allan Moffat's Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth Group A at the 1987 Bathurst 1000

This was the Commodore's last race for Moffat. He realized he needed a powerful Ford Sierra RS500 for Bathurst. He made a deal to lease a Sierra for the Australian races. This deal meant Harvey did not have a drive. The Sierra had problems at the James Hardie 1000 and Calder 500.

In 1988, Moffat wanted to keep driving the Sierra. He persuaded Swiss tuning expert Ruedi Eggenberger to build him a special Sierra RS500. Moffat and Gregg Hansford raced the car in the 1988 ATCC. They were getting to know the turbocharged car.

Moffat and Hansford won the 1988 Enzed 500 at Sandown. This was Moffat's last win in Australia. They almost won the Tooheys 1000 at Bathurst. Eggenberger and German driver Klaus Niedzwiedz joined the team. The car was very fast. It led for 100 laps. But it had a mechanical problem, which Moffat later learned was due to a part that had been used too much. The car had to retire. Moffat felt this was "the one that got away."

This was Moffat's last time racing at Bathurst. He qualified for the 1989 Tooheys 1000. But he decided not to race. His team's lead car, driven by Niedzwiedz and Frank Biela, had a chance to win. They were much faster than he was in the car. That car finished second.

Besides his four Bathurst wins, Moffat won the Sandown Endurance race six times. He was the only driver to win it under three different rules. Allan Moffat quietly retired from racing after winning the InterTEC 500 km race in Japan in 1989. This was two days after his 50th birthday. He kept a promise to himself and his wife not to race past that age. He later worked as a TV commentator and spokesman for BMW. He also promoted GT Radial Tyres.

Life After Racing

Moffat continued as the owner and manager of Allan Moffat Enterprises. His team ran the RS500 Sierras until 1992. Car builder Eggenberger and driver Niedzwiedz joined Moffat at Bathurst every year from 1988 to 1992. Their best result was Niedzwiedz's second place in 1989.

In 1990, the team lost its main sponsor, ANZ. This affected their finances. They could not race in the 1991 ATCC. With new sponsorship from Cenovis Vitamins, they continued racing Sierras. But these cars were banned by 1992.

After the Sierras were banned, Moffat continued with Ford. He built a Ford EB Falcon for the 1993 Tooheys 1000. The car had an engine built by Kar Kraft in the United States. It retired early with gearbox failure. For the 1994 Tooheys 1000, his engines came from Dick Johnson Racing. The team finished a good eighth place.

The 1995 Tooheys 1000 was tough for the team. The car retired early with engine trouble. The 1996 AMP Bathurst 1000 was the last time a Moffat-built car raced at Bathurst. Klaus Niedzwiedz returned and finished 10th.

From 1991 to 1996, Moffat's cars only raced at Sandown or Bathurst. This was due to limited money and resources. Moffat also worked as a TV commentator for Channel 7. He covered motorsport, including Bathurst. He also joined the Channel 9 commentary team for the Australian Grand Prix races.

Later Life and Passing

On February 2, 2004, Allan Moffat became an Australian citizen. The ceremony was held in Melbourne. His former rival, Peter Brock, presented the citation.

Moffat's two sons, Andrew and James Moffat, also became motor racers. James Moffat finished second in the 2014 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000. This was the first time a Moffat had been on the Bathurst 1000 podium since Allan's third place in 1984.

In his later years, Moffat faced health challenges. Allan Moffat passed away on November 22, 2025, at the age of 86.

Career Results

Complete Australian Touring Car Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

* Drove Murray Carter's Phase III Falcon at Adelaide International Raceway in 1973 due to his own Falcon being stolen the night before the race. The race was still entered as driving for the Ford Works Team.

Complete Bathurst 500/1000 results

Year	Team	Co-drivers	Car	Class	Laps	Pos.	Class pos.
1969	Ford Australia	Alan Hamilton	Ford XW Falcon GTHO	D	129	4th	4th
1970	Ford Motor Co of Australia		Ford XW Falcon GTHO Phase II	E	130	1st	1st
1971	Ford Motor Co of Australia		Ford XY Falcon GT-HO Phase III	E	130	1st	1st
1972	Ford Motor Company of Australia		Ford XY Falcon GT-HO Phase III	D	122	9th	5th
1973	Ford Motor Company of Australia	Ian Geoghegan	Ford XA Falcon GT Hardtop	D	163	1st	1st
1974	Allan Moffat Racing	Dieter Glemser	Ford XB Falcon GT Hardtop	3001 – 6000c	92	DNF	DNF
1975	Allan Moffat Racing	Ian Geoghegan	Ford XB Falcon GT Hardtop	D	109	DNF	DNF
1976	Moffat Ford Dealers	Vern Schuppan	Ford XB Falcon GT Hardtop	3001cc - 6000cc	87	DNF	DNF
1977	Moffat Ford Dealers	Jacky Ickx	Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop	3001cc - 6000cc	163	1st	1st
1978	Moffat Ford Dealers	Jacky Ickx	Ford XC Falcon Cobra	A	81	DNF	DNF
1979	Allan Moffat Racing	John Fitzpatrick	Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop	A	136	DNF	DNF
1980	Allan Moffat Racing	John Fitzpatrick	Ford XD Falcon	3001-6000cc	3	DNF	DNF
	Channel 7 Breville Racing	Bob Morris Bill O'Brien	Ford XD Falcon		88	DNF	DNF
1981	Peter Stuyvesant International Racing	Derek Bell	Mazda RX-7	6 Cylinder & Rotary	119	3rd	1st
1982	Peter Stuyvesant International Racing	Yoshimi Katayama	Mazda RX-7	A	156	6th	6th
1983	Peter Stuyvesant International	Yoshimi Katayama	Mazda RX-7	A	162	2nd	2nd
1984	Peter Stuyvesant International Racing	Gregg Hansford	Mazda RX-7	Group C	161	3rd	3rd
		Gregg Hansford	Mazda RX-7		15	DNF	DNF
1986	Mobil Holden Dealer Team	Peter Brock	Holden VK Commodore SS Group A	C	162	5th	4th
1987	Allan Moffat Enterprises	Andy Rouse Thierry Tassin	Ford Sierra RS500	1	31	DNF	DNF
1988	Allan Moffat Enterprises	Klaus Niedzwiedz Gregg Hansford	Ford Sierra RS500	A	129	DNF	DNF

Complete Sandown Endurance results

Year	Team	Co-drivers	Car	Class	Laps	Pos.	Class pos.
1964	Allan Moffat	Jon Leighton	Ford Cortina Lotus	G	220	4th	1st
1965	Allan Moffat	Jim Palmer	Ford Cortina Lotus	C	224	DNF	DNF
1969	Ford Motor Company	John French	Ford XW Falcon GTHO	D	118	1st	1st
1970	Ford Motor Company		Ford XW Falcon GTHO Phase II	E	130	1st	1st
1971	Ford Motor Company		Ford XY Falcon GTHO Phase III	E	NA	DNF	DNF
1972	Ford Motor Company of Australia		Ford XY Falcon GTHO Phase III	D	11	DNF	DNF
1973	Ford Motor Company of Australia		Ford XA Falcon GT Hardtop	D	52	DNF	DNF
1974	Allan Moffat Racing		Ford XB Falcon GT Hardtop	D	130	1st	1st
1975	Allan Moffat Racing		Ford XB Falcon GT Hardtop	A	76	DNF	DNF
1976	Moffat Ford Dealers		Ford XB Falcon GT Hardtop	D	128	2nd	2nd
1977	Moffat Ford Dealers		Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop	D	127	3rd	3rd
1978	Moffat Ford Dealers		Ford XC Falcon Cobra	6000cc	NA	DNF	DNF
1979	Allan Moffat Racing		Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop	A	NA	DNF	DNF
1980	Marlboro Holden Dealer Team		Holden VC Commodore	A	107	3rd	3rd
1981	Peter Stuyvesant International Racing		Mazda RX-7	A	115	6th	6th
1982	Peter Stuyvesant International		Mazda RX-7	D	109	1st	1st
1983	Peter Stuyvesant International Racing		Mazda RX-7	Over 3000cc	129	1st	1st
1984	Peter Stuyvesant International Racing	Gregg Hansford	Mazda RX-7	Over 3000cc	128	2nd	2nd
1986	Mobil Holden Dealer Team	Peter Brock	Holden VK Commodore SS Group A	B	128	4th	4th
1988	Allan Moffat Enterprises	Gregg Hansford	Ford Sierra RS500	A	129	1st	1st
1989	Allan Moffat Enterprises	Gregg Hansford	Ford Sierra RS500	A	12	DNF	DNF

See also

In Spanish: Allan Moffat para niños