1980 Australian Grand Prix
Encyclopedia
The 1980 Australian Grand Prix was an open wheel racing car race held at Calder Park Raceway
on November 16, 1980.
It was the forty fifth Australian Grand Prix and was open to cars complying with Australian Formula 1
regulations (which included international Formula One
, Formula 5000
and Formula Pacific
). It was the final round of the 1980 Australian Drivers' Championship
.
, but was essentially Formula 5000
, would be expanded to allow for a more diverse array of machinery. The previous year Formula Pacific, the regional name for the Formula Atlantic
category had already been allowed to enter, but the relative small cars were not a close match to the considerably more powerful Formula 5000 cars.
The addition was to allow Formula One
cars, like those competing in the World Drivers Championship, or more optimistically second-hand cars like those in the British AFX Aurora series. The move however only attracted Guy Edwards
driving a Fittipaldi
.
Public interest in motor sport was at a new high after one of the darkest periods for the sport domestically early in 1980 as recession bit into fields. In the second half of the year Alan Jones closed in on winning the 1980 World Drivers' Championship
, and was further increased by the hype after the 'rock incident' that befell touring car
driver Dick Johnson at the 1980 Bathurst 1000.
he used to win the world championship and would be the headline entry for the Australian Grand Prix extravaganza which was built up by Bob Jane
who circumvented the rotational system of moving the Australian Grand Prix from state to state by securing it for his own race track, the tight confines of Calder Park Raceway
.
The only other Formula One car to enter though sadly was an Alfa Romeo 179
entered by the factory Alfa Romeo team for Bruno Giacomelli
to drive. Ligier driver Didier Pironi
would also be present but he would race a Formula 5000, specifically the brand new Elfin MR9, the first and in the end only ground effect equipped Formula 5000 constructed. The factory Elfin Racing Cars team however ran behind and with the new MR9 untested prior to the race, designer Garrie Cooper
decided he would race the car himself. Pironi would join Elfins regular team leader John Bowe
in racing one of the teams older, more conventional Elfin MR8 cars.
Another Formula 1 car was entered, but the McLaren M26
driven by John McCormack
which had been converted to Formula 5000 regulations would not make the start with the driver injured after a race in North America.
The majority of the entry was made up of Lolas of varying ages, with number of locally constructed F5000s and older British cars, and a trio of Formula Pacific
s completing the entry.
Four laps down at the finish, Pironi raced his Elfin steadily ahead of the local Formula 5000 racers to finish in third position and allow the imported Formula 1 drivers to clean sweep the podium.
Reliability plagued the local cars with many of the fancied drivers striking problems. In the end Alfredo Costanzo
was three laps clear of the nearest domestic competitor, Chas Talbot's Lola, enough to clinch his first Australian Drivers' Championship
.
Calder Park Raceway
Calder Park Raceway is a motor racing circuit in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The complex includes a drag strip, a road circuit with several possible configurations, and the "Thunderdome", a high-speed banked oval equipped to race either clockwise or counter-clockwise .-History:Calder Park...
on November 16, 1980.
It was the forty fifth Australian Grand Prix and was open to cars complying with Australian Formula 1
Australian Formula 1
Australian Formula 1 was a motor sport category for open-wheeler racing cars which was current in Australia from 1970 to 1983.AF1 was introduced by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport in 1970, initially restricting cars to unsupercharged engines of no greater than 2.5-litre capacity,...
regulations (which included international Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
, Formula 5000
Formula 5000
Formula 5000 was an open wheel, single seater auto-racing formula that ran in different series in various regions around the world from 1968 to 1982. It was originally intended as a low-cost series aimed at open-wheel racing cars that no longer fit into any particular formula...
and Formula Pacific
Formula Pacific
Formula Pacific was a motor racing category which was utilised in the Pacific Basin area from 1977 to 1982. It specified a single-seat, open-wheeler chassis powered by a production-based four-cylinder engine of under 1600cc capacity. The formula was based on Formula Atlantic, with provision made...
). It was the final round of the 1980 Australian Drivers' Championship
Australian Drivers' Championship
The Australian Drivers' Championship is a motor racing championship which has been contested annually since 1957 by drivers of cars complying with Australia's premier open-wheeler racing category as determined by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport. Since 2005 this category has been Formula...
.
Background
Motorsport was in serious decline in Australia in 1980 with most domestic motor racing grids in sharp decline. Early in the season it was announced that the 1980 Australian Drivers' Championship technical regulations, then known as Australian Formula 1Australian Formula 1
Australian Formula 1 was a motor sport category for open-wheeler racing cars which was current in Australia from 1970 to 1983.AF1 was introduced by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport in 1970, initially restricting cars to unsupercharged engines of no greater than 2.5-litre capacity,...
, but was essentially Formula 5000
Formula 5000
Formula 5000 was an open wheel, single seater auto-racing formula that ran in different series in various regions around the world from 1968 to 1982. It was originally intended as a low-cost series aimed at open-wheel racing cars that no longer fit into any particular formula...
, would be expanded to allow for a more diverse array of machinery. The previous year Formula Pacific, the regional name for the Formula Atlantic
Formula Atlantic
Formula Atlantic is a specification of open wheel racing car developed in the 1970s. It was used in professional racing through the IMSA Atlantic Championship until 2009 and is currently primarily used in amateur racing through Sports Car Club of America Formula Atlantic.-History:The history of...
category had already been allowed to enter, but the relative small cars were not a close match to the considerably more powerful Formula 5000 cars.
The addition was to allow Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
cars, like those competing in the World Drivers Championship, or more optimistically second-hand cars like those in the British AFX Aurora series. The move however only attracted Guy Edwards
Guy Edwards
Guy Richard Goronwy Edwards QGM is a former racing driver from England. Although best known for his sportscar and UK Formula One career, as well as for brokering sponsorship deals, Edwards participated in 17 World Championship Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on January 13, 1974...
driving a Fittipaldi
Fittipaldi Automotive
Fittipaldi Automotive, sometimes called Copersucar after its first major sponsor, was the only Formula One motor racing team and constructor ever to be based in Brazil. It was formed during 1974 by racing driver Wilson Fittipaldi and his younger brother, double world champion Emerson, with money...
.
Public interest in motor sport was at a new high after one of the darkest periods for the sport domestically early in 1980 as recession bit into fields. In the second half of the year Alan Jones closed in on winning the 1980 World Drivers' Championship
1980 Formula One season
The 1980 Formula One season was the 31st season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 1980 World Championship of Drivers and the 1980 International Cup for F1 Constructors which were contested concurrently from January 13 to October 5 over a fourteen race series...
, and was further increased by the hype after the 'rock incident' that befell touring car
Touring car
A touring car, or tourer, is an open car seating five or more. Touring cars may have two or four doors. Often, the belt line is lowered in the front doors to give the car a more sportive character. They were often fitted with a folding roof and side curtains. Engines on early models were either in...
driver Dick Johnson at the 1980 Bathurst 1000.
Entries
It was announced that the newly crowned world champion, Alan Jones, would return to Australia in November, bringing with him the Williams FW07Williams FW07
The Williams FW07 was a ground effect Formula One racing car designed by Patrick Head for the 1979 F1 season. It was closely based on the Lotus 79, even being developed in the same wind tunnel at Imperial College London. Some observers, among them Lotus aerodynamicist Peter Wright felt the FW07 was...
he used to win the world championship and would be the headline entry for the Australian Grand Prix extravaganza which was built up by Bob Jane
Bob Jane
Robert "Bob" Jane is an Australian former race car driver and prominent businessman. A four-time winner of the Armstrong 500, the race that became the prestigious Bathurst 1000 and a four-time Australian Touring Car Champion, Jane is perhaps known best nowadays for his chain of tyre retailers,...
who circumvented the rotational system of moving the Australian Grand Prix from state to state by securing it for his own race track, the tight confines of Calder Park Raceway
Calder Park Raceway
Calder Park Raceway is a motor racing circuit in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The complex includes a drag strip, a road circuit with several possible configurations, and the "Thunderdome", a high-speed banked oval equipped to race either clockwise or counter-clockwise .-History:Calder Park...
.
The only other Formula One car to enter though sadly was an Alfa Romeo 179
Alfa Romeo 179
The Alfa Romeo 179 is a Formula One car which was used by the Alfa Romeo team from to . The 179 made its debut at the 1979 Italian Grand Prix, replacing the flat-12 engined Alfa Romeo 177...
entered by the factory Alfa Romeo team for Bruno Giacomelli
Bruno Giacomelli
Bruno Giacomelli is a former racing driver from Italy.He won one of the two 1976 British Formula Three Championships and the 1978 Formula Two championship. He participated in 82 Formula One grands prix, debuting on September 11, 1977...
to drive. Ligier driver Didier Pironi
Didier Pironi
Didier Joseph Louis Pironi was a racing driver from France. During his career he competed in 72 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, driving for Tyrrell , Ligier and Ferrari...
would also be present but he would race a Formula 5000, specifically the brand new Elfin MR9, the first and in the end only ground effect equipped Formula 5000 constructed. The factory Elfin Racing Cars team however ran behind and with the new MR9 untested prior to the race, designer Garrie Cooper
Garrie Cooper
Garrie Clifford Cooper was the founder of the highly successful Elfin Sports Cars and a competitive racing driver in his own right, winning the 1968 Australian 1½ Litre Championship and the 1975 Australian Sports Car Championship...
decided he would race the car himself. Pironi would join Elfins regular team leader John Bowe
John Bowe (racing driver)
John Bowe is an Australian racing driver, presently racing a 1969 Ford Mustang in the historic series, Touring Car Masters....
in racing one of the teams older, more conventional Elfin MR8 cars.
Another Formula 1 car was entered, but the McLaren M26
McLaren M26
The McLaren M26 was a Formula One racing car designed by Gordon Coppuck for the McLaren team, to replace the aging McLaren M23 model. The car was designed to be a lighter and lower car than its predecessor, with a smaller frontal area and narrower monocoque...
driven by John McCormack
John McCormack (racing driver)
John McCormack is a former Australian racing driver. Originally from Tasmania McCormack became one of the leading Formula 5000 racers in Australia during the 1970s....
which had been converted to Formula 5000 regulations would not make the start with the driver injured after a race in North America.
The majority of the entry was made up of Lolas of varying ages, with number of locally constructed F5000s and older British cars, and a trio of Formula Pacific
Formula Pacific
Formula Pacific was a motor racing category which was utilised in the Pacific Basin area from 1977 to 1982. It specified a single-seat, open-wheeler chassis powered by a production-based four-cylinder engine of under 1600cc capacity. The formula was based on Formula Atlantic, with provision made...
s completing the entry.
Race
The race was almost made infamous after Jones almost lost the race. Giacomelli was surprisingly fast and determined with the two F1s actually clashing and spearing off track together, but after the scare, Jones knuckled down to race and pulled steadily clear to win by over a lap from Giacomelli.Four laps down at the finish, Pironi raced his Elfin steadily ahead of the local Formula 5000 racers to finish in third position and allow the imported Formula 1 drivers to clean sweep the podium.
Reliability plagued the local cars with many of the fancied drivers striking problems. In the end Alfredo Costanzo
Alfredo Costanzo
Alfredo Costanzo is a retired Australian racing driver.The Italian-Australian was Australia's foremost domestic open wheeler driver in the late 70s and early 80s, proving equally adapt at winning races in the powerful Formula 5000 class as much as the nimble Formula Pacific cars that replaced them...
was three laps clear of the nearest domestic competitor, Chas Talbot's Lola, enough to clinch his first Australian Drivers' Championship
Australian Drivers' Championship
The Australian Drivers' Championship is a motor racing championship which has been contested annually since 1957 by drivers of cars complying with Australia's premier open-wheeler racing category as determined by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport. Since 2005 this category has been Formula...
.
Classification
Results as follows:| Pos | No | Driver | Car | Laps | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 27 |  Alan Jones |
Williams FW07B Williams FW07 The Williams FW07 was a ground effect Formula One racing car designed by Patrick Head for the 1979 F1 season. It was closely based on the Lotus 79, even being developed in the same wind tunnel at Imperial College London. Some observers, among them Lotus aerodynamicist Peter Wright felt the FW07 was... Ford Cosworth DFV The DFV is an internal combustion engine that was originally produced by Cosworth for Formula One motor racing. Named Four Valve because of the four valves per cylinder, and Double as it was a V8 development of the earlier, four-cylinder FVA , making it a Double Four Valve engine... |
95 | 1:00:16.4 |
| 2 | 23 |  Bruno GiacomelliBruno Giacomelli Bruno Giacomelli is a former racing driver from Italy.He won one of the two 1976 British Formula Three Championships and the 1978 Formula Two championship. He participated in 82 Formula One grands prix, debuting on September 11, 1977... |
Alfa Romeo 179 Alfa Romeo 179 The Alfa Romeo 179 is a Formula One car which was used by the Alfa Romeo team from to . The 179 made its debut at the 1979 Italian Grand Prix, replacing the flat-12 engined Alfa Romeo 177... |
94 | + 1 Lap |
| 3 | 25 |  Didier PironiDidier Pironi Didier Joseph Louis Pironi was a racing driver from France. During his career he competed in 72 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, driving for Tyrrell , Ligier and Ferrari... |
Elfin MR8 Chevrolet | 91 | + 4 Laps |
| 4 | 84 | Alfredo Costanzo Alfredo Costanzo Alfredo Costanzo is a retired Australian racing driver.The Italian-Australian was Australia's foremost domestic open wheeler driver in the late 70s and early 80s, proving equally adapt at winning races in the powerful Formula 5000 class as much as the nimble Formula Pacific cars that replaced them... |
Lola T430 Chevrolet | 90 | + 5 Laps |
| 5 | Chas Talbot |
Lola T332 Lola T332 The Lola T332 was a race car designed and built by Lola Cars for use in Formula 5000 racing and made its racing debut in 1973. Commonly using the 5.0L Chevrolet V8 engine, the T332 was successful around the globe with race victories in places such as Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and... Chevrolet |
87 | + 8 Laps | |
| 6 | 10 | Rob Butcher |
Lola T332 Lola T332 The Lola T332 was a race car designed and built by Lola Cars for use in Formula 5000 racing and made its racing debut in 1973. Commonly using the 5.0L Chevrolet V8 engine, the T332 was successful around the globe with race victories in places such as Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and... Chevrolet |
85 | + 10 Laps |
| 7 | 12 | Garrie Cooper Garrie Cooper Garrie Clifford Cooper was the founder of the highly successful Elfin Sports Cars and a competitive racing driver in his own right, winning the 1968 Australian 1½ Litre Championship and the 1975 Australian Sports Car Championship... |
Elfin MR9 Chevrolet | 85 | + 10 Laps |
| 8 | Colin Trengove |
Lola T332 Lola T332 The Lola T332 was a race car designed and built by Lola Cars for use in Formula 5000 racing and made its racing debut in 1973. Commonly using the 5.0L Chevrolet V8 engine, the T332 was successful around the globe with race victories in places such as Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and... Chevrolet |
84 | + 11 Laps | |
| 9 | Peter Edwards |
Lola T332 Lola T332 The Lola T332 was a race car designed and built by Lola Cars for use in Formula 5000 racing and made its racing debut in 1973. Commonly using the 5.0L Chevrolet V8 engine, the T332 was successful around the globe with race victories in places such as Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and... Chevrolet |
84 | + 11 Laps | |
| 10 | Ivan Tighe |
Chevron Chevron Cars Ltd Chevron Cars Ltd. is a manufacturer of racing cars, founded by Derek Bennett in 1965. Following Bennett's death in 1978, the firm has remained active in various guises. The original company's designs and name continue to be utilized by Roger Andreason to build replacement parts and continuation... B37 Chevrolet |
83 | + 12 Laps | |
| 11 | 11 | John Bowe John Bowe (racing driver) John Bowe is an Australian racing driver, presently racing a 1969 Ford Mustang in the historic series, Touring Car Masters.... |
Elfin MR8 Chevrolet | 79 | + 16 Laps |
| Ret | 76 | John Wright |
Lola T400 Chevrolet | 70 | |
| Ret | 4 | Jon Davison |
Lola T332 Lola T332 The Lola T332 was a race car designed and built by Lola Cars for use in Formula 5000 racing and made its racing debut in 1973. Commonly using the 5.0L Chevrolet V8 engine, the T332 was successful around the globe with race victories in places such as Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and... Chevrolet |
68 | |
| Ret | Ian Adams |
Lola T330 Chevrolet | 60 | ||
| Ret | 17 | Mel McEwin |
Matich A53 Holden Holden V8 engine The Holden V8 is an overhead valve V8 engine which was produced by the Australian General Motors subsidiary Holden between 1969 and 2000. The engine was used initially in the Kingswood and Monaro model ranges; it was later utilised in the Torana and Commodore ranges... |
33 | |
| Ret | 77 | Peter Williamson |
Galloway HG1 Ford | 27 | |
| Ret | 17 | Tim Slako |
Elfin MR6 Chevrolet | 17 | |
| Ret | Barry Singleton |
Gardos GL1 Chevrolet | 6 | ||
| Ret | John Smith |
Ralt Ralt RALT was a manufacturer of single-seater racing cars, founded by ex-Jack Brabham associate Ron Tauranac after he sold out his interest in Brabham to Bernie Ecclestone. Ron and his brother had built some specials in Australia in the 1950s under the RALT name... RT1 Ford |
1 | ||
| DNS | Ray Hangar |
March March Engineering March Engineering was a Formula One constructor and manufacturer of customer racing cars from the United Kingdom. Although only moderately successful in Grand Prix competition, March racing cars enjoyed much better achievement in other categories of competition including Formula Two, Formula Three,... 77B Ford |
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