Video: Onboard With Tom Walkinshaw, Bathurst 1985

After writing the last couple of posts about Jaguar and then Bathurst it reminded me of Jaguar’s famous win in the 1985 “Great Race”.

Back in the days of the International  Group A Touring Car formula, Australian fans could watch their local V8 Holden Commodore’s compete against V12 XJS Jaguars, Ford Mustangs, BMW 635CSis and Rover Vitesses for Mountain glory.

Driver and team owner Tom Walkinshaw, with the support of Jaguar Rover Australia, brought two V12 Jags to Mount Panorama for a serious crack at victory. In the end it was the less fancied number 10 sister car of Armin Hahne and 1975 winner John Goss that took victory. The two Jags were quick in qualifying but were considered fragile and unlikely to finish, but the fantastic looking British racing green machine was not to be denied.

The video shows team boss and number one driver Tom Walkinshaw setting the pole lap.

The two Jags filled the front row with local hero Dick Johnson in 3rd. The international teams dominated the major placings with Roberto Ravaglia and Johnny Cecotto in the BMW 635CSi finishing second with Walkinshaw and team mate Win Percy 3rd.