A Rich Racing History
V8X Supercar Magazine|June - July 2019 Issue 111

The Australian Touring Car Championship/Supercars notches up its 60th season in 2019. To celebrate we look back at the six-decade history of the category, starting with how we got here through various guises.

Adrian Musolino
A Rich Racing History

On February 1 in 1960, at the​ Gnoo Blas Motor Racing Circuit in Orange in New South Wales, the Australian Touring Car Championship was born. Forty-eight cars took to the grid across five classes that day, from the Jaguar Mark 1 3.4 that triumphed in the hands of David McKay to the Austin A40 Farina of Brian Foley that won the under 1000cc class.

It marked the start of something big with the championship growing massively over the coming decades, from the single-race deciders of those early years to multiple rounds and then the inclusion of the great endurance races such as the Bathurst 1000 and regular ventures outside of Australia.

The history of the Australian Touring Car Championship/Supercars rules since 1960 showcases in its own way the evolution of the automotive industry in Australia and the guiding principles of parity that have been part of the championship throughout its six decades.

This is the evolution of the Australian Touring Car Championship/Supercars through its various guises:

APPENDIX J

1960-1964

Australia’s first organised touring car rulebook paved the way for single-event Australian Touring Car Championship deciders, starting in 1960.

The rules insisted on four-door production cars sold in the marketplace with some engine and suspension modifications allowed. Cars competed in various classes based on engine capacity.

Jaguars won the first four titles before victory for the Ford Cortina Mark I GT of Ian​ Geoghegan in 1964. The grid relied heavily on imported British cars, until an influx of locally-made cars in the latter years.

The single-race championship deciders were held in various locations across Australia, in addition to various state-level meetings. The professionalism around the sport had not yet grown to form the multi-round national championship.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June - July 2019 Issue 111 -Ausgabe von V8X Supercar Magazine.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June - July 2019 Issue 111 -Ausgabe von V8X Supercar Magazine.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS V8X SUPERCAR MAGAZINEAlle anzeigen
The F1 Legends At The Mountain
V8X Supercar Magazine

The F1 Legends At The Mountain

The recently departed Sir Stirling Moss is recognised as the best Formula 1 driver never to win the drivers’ world championship, but his illustrious career extended to many other categories, including an often forgotten appearance in the Bathurst 1000 alongside another legend of the sport.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
Winter 2020 Issue 117
Right On Track: Sprinting Back Into Action
V8X Supercar Magazine

Right On Track: Sprinting Back Into Action

The Virgin Australia Supercars Championship returns with shorter sprint races on the reworked calendar in 2020.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
Winter 2020 Issue 117
Beyond The Wheel: Racing Virtually
V8X Supercar Magazine

Beyond The Wheel: Racing Virtually

Racing online in the BP Supercars All Stars Eseries was a new experience for me. While there were some carryover traits from racing in real life, there were also some significant differences.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
Winter 2020 Issue 117
Top 10 Seasons
V8X Supercar Magazine

Top 10 Seasons

Top 10 Seasons

time-read
2 Minuten  |
Winter 2020 Issue 117
The Inside Story: The New Normal
V8X Supercar Magazine

The Inside Story: The New Normal

As we prepare for the return of racing, the whole Supercars pitlane is wondering how things will look. And work.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
Winter 2020 Issue 117
Top 10 (Multi-Car) Crashes
V8X Supercar Magazine

Top 10 (Multi-Car) Crashes

10 mount panorama circuit 2014

time-read
3 Minuten  |
Winter 2020 Issue 117
TOP 10 MAKES
V8X Supercar Magazine

TOP 10 MAKES

TOP 10 MAKES

time-read
2 Minuten  |
Winter 2020 Issue 117
VIRTUAL MOVES
V8X Supercar Magazine

VIRTUAL MOVES

The BP Supercars All Stars Eseries provided some racing during the suspension of the season, paving the way for more regular virtual contests.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
Winter 2020 Issue 117
V8X Supercar Magazine

VIRTUAL REALITY

The BP Supercars All Stars Eseries has paved the way for Supercars to further embrace virtual racing, opening up an important avenue to attract and engage with new audiences for the category

time-read
5 Minuten  |
Winter 2020 Issue 117
1960 – 2020 TOP 60 DRIVERS
V8X Supercar Magazine

1960 – 2020 TOP 60 DRIVERS

Who are the greatest drivers in the 60-year history of the Australian Touring Car Championship/Supercars? We rank the top 60 with an emphasis on best championship finishes, race-winning percentage and competitive longevity. Only drivers with top 10 championship finishes were considered, to emphasise championship performances over part-time or endurance campaigns. Also, results from the Bathurst 1000 and other endurance events were only factored in when they were part of the championship.

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
Winter 2020 Issue 117