MOTORSPORT: Ford Bathurst 1-2 triumph celebrated

Current Ford hero Mark Winterbottom will race in this Sunday’s Bathurst 1000 in a one-off livery paying tribute to the most famous blue oval win in the great race, the 1977 1-2 led by Allan Moffat.

The 40th anniversary paint job for The Bottle-O-backed Prodrive Racing Australia Ford Falcon FG X Winterbottom will share with Dean Canto, follows on from the limited edition ‘Bathurst ’77 Special’ Ford Mustang developed by PRA’s sister company Tickford to also mark the occasion.

Winterbottom and Moffat unveiled the livery in pitlane at Mount Panorama this morning. It will hit the track for the first time in opening practice for the 1000 on Thursday morning.

Back in 1977 Moffat and co-driver, Belgian great Jacky Ickx, led home Colin Bond and Alan Hamilton in another Ford Falcon XC Hardtop.

The victory is famous for Bond electing to not pass Moffat in the closing laps, despite the team owner nursing his car home due to a lack of rear brakes.

“Allan Moffat was one of my heroes growing up, and still is, so I feel very honoured to be racing in the livery he made so famous 40 years ago,” said Winterbottom, who won the race in 2013, becoming the first factory Ford river to do so since 1977.

“It will be great to have Allan and Colin trackside to watch the race this year and a big thanks to The Bottle-O team for making all of this happen. Dean and I would like nothing more than to take the famous livery to another win on the 40th anniversary.”

Both Moffat and Bond will be at Bathurst as part of Supercars’ ‘Heroes and Legends celebration, which will include 12 stars from the 1960s through to the 1990s being inducted into the circuits new Legends Lane.

“I have very fond memories of the 1977 race, it has become a big part of my life and still is even 40 years on,” said Moffat.

“To see Mark and Dean carry those colours this year at Bathurst will be a great sight. I wish them and all the team the best of luck for the weekend.”

The tribute will go beyond the car’s livery to the drivers’ race suits, retro-inspired crew uniforms and apparel.

Prior to Sunday’s race an exclusive feature interview with Moffat and Bond will air on Fox Sports and Network TEN.

In a tribute hosted by Winterbottom, the former team-mates will reflect on the race, the significance of the result, what it meant at the time and what it means 40 years later.