Allan Moffat facts for kids

Allan George Moffat (born 10 November 1939) is a famous Canadian-born Australian racing driver. He is well-known for winning four championships in the Australian Touring Car Championship. He also won the Sandown 500 six times and the Bathurst 500/1000 four times. In 1975, he even won the 1975 12 Hours of Sebring race.

Allan Moffat was honored in the V8 Supercars Hall of Fame in 1999. He and his friend and rival, Peter Brock, are the only drivers to win the big race at Bathurst in both its old (500-mile) and new (1000-kilometre) formats. In October 2018, he was also added to the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

Allan Moffat's Racing Journey

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

Early Years: 1964 to 1971

In 1964, Allan Moffat and Jon Leighton raced a Ford Cortina Lotus. They finished fourth in the Sandown 6 Hour International race. This race was the start of what became the famous Sandown 500.

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

Moffat returned to Australia but also spent more time in the US. He kept racing the Cortina and also Ford Mustangs. He drove for Carroll Shelby in Trans-Am races. He even competed in the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 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 racer. His bright red Coca-Cola-sponsored Ford Boss 302 Mustang was easy to spot. This car was brand new from Ford's American race car facility. He won 101 races in this car between 1969 and 1972. This included the first win for a factory Boss Mustang at Sandown in May 1969. However, he never won the ATCC championship in the Mustang. He finished 6th in 1970, 2nd in 1971, and 3rd in 1972.

Moffat's Mustang was part of two memorable ATCC races. In 1971, he was close to winning the championship. He battled three-time champion Bob Jane at Oran Park. Moffat had to slow down due to a jammed gearbox but nearly caught up. In 1972, he had a close race with Ian Geoghegan at Bathurst. Moffat drove for over half the race with his safety belts undone. He had to stick his head out the window to see. Oil from Geoghegan's car had smeared his windscreen.

The Mustang was not allowed in the Bathurst 500 race before 1973. So, Moffat raced a Ford Falcon XW GTHO in 1969. He and his co-driver finished fourth. Moffat believed he could have won if he hadn't been forced to pit early for tyre changes. He was known for being gentle on his car's tyres.

In 1970 and 1971, Moffat became a top driver. The Falcon GTHO became almost unbeatable. Ford Australia improved the Falcon XW GTHO Phase II in 1970. Moffat won the 1970 and 1971 Bathurst races without a co-driver. In 1971, 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" of 1972

Allan Moffat in his Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III at Surfers Paradise International Raceway in February 1972.

Moffat hoped to win his third straight Bathurst race in 1972. Ford planned to release a faster "Phase IV" Falcon GTHO. But a journalist wrote an article with headlines like "160mph Supercars on Our Roads!" This caused a big public outcry called the Supercar scare. Ford had to stop making the Phase IV. This meant Moffat and other Ford drivers had to use older Phase III cars for Bathurst.

Peter Brock won the race that year for rival manufacturer Holden. Wet weather and brake problems affected the Fords. This race marked the beginning of the famous Moffat-Brock rivalry. This rivalry would define Australian touring car racing for years.

New Rules and New Cars: 1973 to 1980

A replica of the Ford XA Falcon GT Hardtop. Allan Moffat and Ian Geoghegan won the 1973 Hardie-Ferodo 1000 in this type of car.

In 1973, new rules came in for the ATCC and Bathurst. Only Group C Touring Cars were allowed. These cars were slightly modified. Ford stopped supporting factory teams at the end of 1973. This meant Moffat and other Ford drivers had to create their own teams.

Despite this, Moffat and Ford won the 1973 ATCC. This was Moffat's first championship win. He also won the 1973 Hardie-Ferodo 1000 with co-driver Ian Geoghegan. They were the first winners of the Bathurst race after it changed from 500 miles to 1000 km.

Moffat's GTHO Falcon Phase III was stolen before a race in Adelaide. Murray Carter loaned Moffat his car so he could still race. Moffat finished second and kept his points lead. His stolen Falcon was later found abandoned.

After 1973, Moffat's Boss 302 Mustang was no longer allowed in the ATCC. He raced it in Sports Sedans in 1973 and 1974. He refused to change the car's engine position, saying it was "a jewel." The Mustang was later voted the most popular 'Muscle Car' in Australia.

Ford Australia left motor racing after 1973. Moffat raced as a private driver in 1974 and 1975. He won two races in the 1974 ATCC, finishing third overall. He also won the 1974 Sandown 250. In 1975, he won the 12 Hours of Sebring in a BMW 3.0CSL. This showed his skill as an international driver.

Moffat returned to full-time racing in 1976. He drove his XB Falcon GT Hardtop and won his second ATCC title. His race car was destroyed in a transporter fire, but he borrowed a car from John Goss to finish the season. He also won the first Australian Sports Sedan Championship that year. He drove a Chevrolet Monza and later a Ford Capri RS3100.

In 1977, Moffat created the Moffat Ford Dealers Team. He won his second ATCC title in a row. His new teammate, Colin Bond, helped the team greatly. This was Moffat's third ATCC win. But the biggest moment was his victory at the 1977 Hardie-Ferodo 1000 at Bathurst. He won with his new co-driver, Jacky Ickx, a Formula One driver from Belgium.

Moffat's car had brake problems late in the race. Bond caught up, and they crossed the finish line side by side. Moffat stayed just ahead for a famous 1-2 victory for Ford. This is one of the most famous moments in Australian motor sport. In 1978, Moffat received an Order of the British Empire for his services to motor sport.

Ford XC Falcon Hardtop Group C race car - Moffat/Ickx 1977 Hardie Ferodo 1000 race winning car (second-placed team car of Bond/Hamilton in the background)

Moffat didn't have as much success in the next three years. He and Bond separated at the end of 1978. Moffat continued racing Falcons until the 1980 Bathurst race. That was his last time competing in a Ford Falcon XD.

In 1980, he raced different cars in different countries. He won the Australian Sports Car Championship in a Porsche 934 turbo. He also raced at the 1980 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Porsche 935 turbo. He even drove for the Holden Dealer Team at Sandown, finishing third. This was only the second time he raced a Holden. It was also the first time he was on the same team as his rival, Peter Brock.

The Mazda Years: 1981 to 1984

In 1981, Allan Moffat left Ford to drive a Mazda RX-7. This was a big surprise for Ford fans. The ATCC and Bathurst races were starting to favor lighter cars. Moffat drove the RX-7 to four top-six finishes at Bathurst. This included a second place in 1983 and third in 1984. He also won his fourth and final ATCC title in 1983. During this time, he won the 1982 and 1984 Australian Endurance Championships in his RX-7.

Replica of the 1982 Mazda RX7 Group C race car driven by Moffat and Yoshimi Katayama in the 1982 James Hardie 1000.

1982 Mazda RX7 Group C race car replica.

Moffat also raced his RX-7 at the 24 Hours of Daytona. He won his class in 1982. In 1982, he raced at Le Mans again in a factory RX-7. He finished sixth in class. In 1983, he had to skip the Le Mans race to focus on winning the ATCC. He won the ATCC by just six points.

1984 was a tough year for Moffat. He crashed his Mazda RX-7 at Surfers Paradise. He hit a tree stump hidden by a bush. This was his biggest crash since 1973. He broke his sternum and a finger. The RX-7 was completely destroyed.

After his crash, many thought Moffat, then 45, would retire. But he came back strong. He and Gregg Hansford won the Valvoline 250 at Oran Park. They also finished second at the Castrol 500 at Sandown. Then, they took third place at the James Hardie 1000 at Bathurst. Moffat's team entered two cars. His own car retired early, so he moved to Hansford's car. He helped Hansford finish third. Moffat then won the final Australian Endurance Championship.

In 1985, Moffat took his RX-7 to Daytona for the 24 Hour race. He shared the car with other Australian drivers. He qualified 12th in class and finished 7th in class. Moffat felt the extra weight rules in Australia made it hard for his Mazda to beat the V8 cars at Bathurst.

Mazda wasn't interested in Group A racing. So, Moffat had to sit out the 1985 Australian season. He became a TV commentator for Channel 7. He also tested several cars for the coverage, including a Holden Commodore and a BMW.

Joining Holden: 1986 to 1987

Moffat returned to racing in 1986. He joined his longtime rival and friend, Peter Brock, at the Holden Dealer Team. This was a big deal for Australian racing fans. The two most successful drivers teamed up. They immediately won the 1986 Wellington 500 in New Zealand. They drove the new Holden VK Commodore SS Group A.

Moffat and Brock then raced in Europe. They finished fifth twice in the FIA Touring Car Championship. They also competed in the 1986 Spa 24 Hours. They won the "Kings Cup" team prize there.

Before Spa, they finished fifth at Surfers Paradise. Then came the 1986 Castrol 500 at Sandown. Moffat and Brock had won 14 of the previous 17 Sandown endurance races. They finished fourth. At the 1986 James Hardie 1000 at Bathurst, they were favorites to win. But Moffat crashed the car during qualifying. This meant they started 11th. They finished fifth after losing time in the pits. Moffat was also hampered by an injured wrist from the crash.

1987 started well with another win at the Wellington 500. But then, Holden cut ties with Brock. Moffat left the team and bought the new Holden VL Commodore SS Group A that Brock planned to use for the World Touring Car Championship. Moffat bought the car secretly to avoid problems with Brock. The car was sent to England for preparation.

The Holden VL Commodore SS Group A of Allan Moffat & John Harvey, winner of the 1987 Monza 500.

At the first race in Monza, Italy, Moffat and co-driver John Harvey finished seventh. They were later declared the winners after other cars were disqualified. However, they didn't get championship points because the team hadn't paid the entry fee.

The Commodore then had problems in the next two races. But Moffat and Harvey finished a great fourth place at the Spa 24-hour race. They also won their class.

Back to Ford: 1987 to 1989

After Spa, Moffat realized he needed a new Ford Sierra RS500 to be competitive at Bathurst. He made a deal to lease a Sierra from British driver Andy Rouse. This car was sponsored by ANZ Bank. But the deal didn't go well. The car retired early at both the James Hardie 1000 and the Calder 500.

Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth Group A race car - Moffat/Rouse/Tassin 1987 James Hardie 1000.

In 1988, Moffat wanted to keep driving the Sierra. He got Swiss tuning expert Ruedi Eggenberger to build him a Sierra RS500. It was identical to the factory Fords. Moffat and Gregg Hansford raced the car in the 1988 ATCC. They were learning about the powerful 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 became one of the fastest on the track. It led for 100 laps but had to retire due to engine problems. Moffat later said this was "the one that got away."

This was Moffat's last time racing at Bathurst. He entered the 1989 Tooheys 1000 but didn't race. He felt his teammates, Niedzwiedz and Frank Biela, were faster and had a better chance to win. They finished second.

Besides his four Bathurst wins, Moffat won the Sandown Endurance race six times. He is the only driver to win it under three different national rules.

Allan Moffat quietly retired from racing after winning the InterTEC 500 km race in Japan in 1989. He had promised his wife he wouldn't race past his 50th birthday. He has since worked as a TV commentator and spokesman for BMW. He also promotes GT Radial Tyres and appears at Ford events.

Life After Racing

Moffat continued to own and manage Allan Moffat Enterprises. His team raced the RS500 Sierras until 1992. Eggenberger and Niedzwiedz joined Moffat at Bathurst every year from 1988 to 1992. Their best result was second place in 1989.

In 1990, the team lost its main sponsor, ANZ. This cut their money significantly. They couldn't race in the 1991 ATCC. But with new sponsorship from Cenovis Vitamins, they continued racing the Sierras. These cars were later banned by CAMS at the end of 1992.

After the Sierras were banned, Moffat continued with Ford. He built a black and yellow Ford EB Falcon for the 1993 Tooheys 1000. The car retired early with gearbox problems. For the 1994 Tooheys 1000, his engines came from Dick Johnson Racing. The team finished a good eighth place.

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

From 1991 to 1996, Moffat's cars only raced at Sandown or Bathurst. The team didn't have enough money to race in all ATCC rounds. Moffat also worked as a TV commentator for Channel 7. He was a commentator and team manager at Bathurst. He also joined the Channel 9 commentary team for touring car races at the Australian Grand Prix from 1985 to 1995.

Beyond Motor Racing

On 2 February 2004, Allan Moffat became an Australian citizen. The ceremony was in Melbourne. His old friend, Peter Brock, gave the citation. Moffat had lived in Australia for over 50 years but hadn't completed the citizenship process earlier.

Even though he has lived in Australia for so long, Moffat still has his Canadian accent. He is a Director of the Australian Institute for Motor Sport Safety (AIMSS).

Moffat's two sons, Andrew and James, have also become racing drivers. James Moffat finished second at the 2014 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000. This was the first time the Moffat name was on the Bathurst 1000 podium since Allan finished third in 1984.

In 2019, it was reported that Moffat was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. He moved to a special healthcare facility. His friends, Fred Gibson and Larry Perkins, are helping with his care.

Since late 2022, there has been a campaign to rename Mountain Straight at Mount Panorama. People want to call it Moffat Mountain Straight or Moffat Straight. This would honor him and his rivalry with Peter Brock. Their rivalry made the Bathurst race a national event.

Images for kids

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  Allan Moffat in the Ford Boss 302 Mustang at Lakeside International Raceway.

See also

In Spanish: Allan Moffat para niños