TURMOIL ON THE MOUNTAIN

Larry Perkins/Russell Ingall Claim Victory After Huge Drive From Last Place

Brief Report: Tooheys 1000 Endurance Classic for 5.0 litre V8 Touring Cars
Mount Panorama, Bathurst NSW Australia. Sunday October 1 1995
Start: 1000 local time.

Nearly 45,000 people were on hand to witness one of the most enthralling
Bathurst events for many years.

One of the world's most gruelling Touring Car races, the Bathurst enduro has
seen the world's best humbled by the treacherous 6.213 km mountain road circuit
where average speeds often clock over 170kph.

Young lions, Lowndes and Murphy put the No.2 Holden factory car on pole
position with a scorching 2' 11.55, nudging out veteran mountain man, Larry
Perkins in his own Castrol Holden Commodore.

A disappointing grid of just over 30 cars raised many criticisms over the
exclusive V8 formula that allows only Holden (GM) and Ford vehicles. 1995 was
the first time in the race's 30+ year history that smaller capacity cars have
been omitted.

Motorcycle hero, Wayne Gardner, was quickest off the start, coming from behind
to lead at the first corner. Larry Perkins was forced to pit on lap one after a
puncture, placing him at the rear of the field, over a lap behind. Two cars
failed on the grid and had to be removed by winch.

The attrition rate was over 50% as the highly fancied and privateer alike fell
by the wayside in what has become a long-distance sprint race. Both factory
Holdens were out early with engine maladies. Jim Richards and Mark Skaife
(Winfield Holden Commodore), both previous winners, also were forced to retire.
Accidents claimed more, fortunately all without injury.

After several pace car laps under yellow bunched the field up, much to
Perkins's delight, the sprint to the flag had the country on the edge of their
seats. Glenn Seton (Peter Jackson Ford Falcon) inherited the lead after a
controversial clash with race-leader and newly crowned Touring Car champion,
John Bowe (Shell Ford Falcon). A frustrated Dick Johnson (Shell lead driver)
blamed Seton and took a rough hand to a hapless photographer when the car came
in for what turned out to be lengthy repairs.

Perkins and Ingall had driven up a storm to be back to third place just ten
laps from the end. Seton stormed off in the Ford and looked comfortable,
several seconds ahead of the following pack, led by NASCAR champion Brad Jones
in the No.2 Coca Cola Commodore. Perkins fought past Jones, who appeared to
have a minor problem, bringing the crowd to a frenzy. Seton was holding his
buffer just eight laps from the end when a serious misfire struck his Ford,
letting Perkins past. The car finally coming to a halt half way up the steep
climb to the top. Seton, always a top and much fancied runner, has never won
the Bathurst event. Just turned 30, driving car 30, 30 years after his father
won in a Ford, Seton had been offered a $30,000 bonus if he won. His in-car
camera turned to him and the quiet young man could barely talk through tears.
His pit crew, to a man, stood in disbelief, jaws agape, eyes glazed, numbed in
despair.

Perkins, now in the lead, had the crowd in a frenzy. Just Alan Jones  in
Seton's No.2 car was left to challenge Perkins, but the crowd favourite was six
seconds ahead at the final flag.

Third was Wayne Gardner and Neil Crompton in the No.1 Coca Cola Commodore.
Fourth; Anders Olofsson (SWE) and young Steven Richards ( No.2 Winfield
Commodore). Brad Jones, with UK veteran Win Percy soldiered on for fifth.  Top
five finishers on the same lap! British Touring Car Champion, John Cleland, was
first privateer home with co-driver Tony Scott's Pinnacle Commodore in sixth -
three laps behind.

______________

Stills available. Contact author.

*************************************
Rod Eime - Motorsport Photojournalist
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~rodeime
*************************************