1961 Armstrong 500
Encyclopedia
The 1961 Armstrong 500 was an endurance motor race for standard production sedans. The event was held at the Phillip Island circuit
in Victoria
, Australia
on 19 November 1961 over 167 laps of the 3.0 mile circuit, a total of 501 miles (807 km).
It was the second event held in the combined history of the Bathurst 1000
, which had begun the previous year with the first Armstrong 500. Interest had waned since the previous year with the entry for this year the lowest in the races history until the fields were restricted to V8 Supercars only in 1995
.
Geoff Russell and David Anderson backed up their 1960 class victory in their Peugeot 403
by winning class again, although the changes in class capacity limits put them against slower opposition. Bob Jane
and Harry Firth
were the only combination to complete the full race distance, earning the pair the first of their four outright race wins, although the concept of outright race win would not be officially recognised until 1965. Mercedes-Benz
, Studebaker
and Renault
all took their first class wins.
, Studebaker Lark
and Vauxhall Velox
.
, Holden EK and Mercedes-Benz 220SE
.
, Peugeot 403
, Simca Montlhery
and Volkswagen Beetle
.
, Morris 850
, Renault Gordini and Triumph Herald
.
generated with :de:Wikipedia:Helferlein/VBA-Macro for EXCEL tableconversion V1.5<\hiddentext>>
Note : Officially, only class results were recognised, however, as the Mercedes-Benz driven by Bob Jane and Harry Firth was the only car to complete the full 500 mile distance, it is generally considered to be the "winner" of the race.
Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit
The Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit is a motor racing racing circuit on Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia. The circuit was opened in 1956.-Road circuit:...
in Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
on 19 November 1961 over 167 laps of the 3.0 mile circuit, a total of 501 miles (807 km).
It was the second event held in the combined history of the Bathurst 1000
Bathurst 1000
The Bathurst 1000 is a touring car race held annually at Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia...
, which had begun the previous year with the first Armstrong 500. Interest had waned since the previous year with the entry for this year the lowest in the races history until the fields were restricted to V8 Supercars only in 1995
1995 Tooheys 1000
The 1995 Tooheys 1000 was the 36th running of the Bathurst 1000 touring car race. It was held on October 1, 1995 at the Mount Panorama Circuit just outside Bathurst. The race was held for cars eligible under CAMS Group 3A 5.0 Litre Touring Car regulations, that later became known as V8Supercars...
.
Geoff Russell and David Anderson backed up their 1960 class victory in their Peugeot 403
Peugeot 403
The Peugeot 403 is a car produced by French automobile manufacturer Peugeot from 1955 to 1966.-History:The 403 made its debut in saloon body style on 20 April 1955 at the Trocadéro Palace in Paris...
by winning class again, although the changes in class capacity limits put them against slower opposition. 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,...
and Harry Firth
Harry Firth
Harry L. Firth is an Australian former racing driver and team manager. Firth was a leading race and rally driver during the 1950s and 1960s and continued as an influential team manager well into the 1970s...
were the only combination to complete the full race distance, earning the pair the first of their four outright race wins, although the concept of outright race win would not be officially recognised until 1965. Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
, Studebaker
Studebaker
Studebaker Corporation was a United States wagon and automobile manufacturer based in South Bend, Indiana. Founded in 1852 and incorporated in 1868 under the name of the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company, the company was originally a producer of wagons for farmers, miners, and the...
and Renault
Renault
Renault S.A. is a French automaker producing cars, vans, and in the past, autorail vehicles, trucks, tractors, vans and also buses/coaches. Its alliance with Nissan makes it the world's third largest automaker...
all took their first class wins.
Class A
Class A was for cars with an engine capacity over 2600cc. The class featured Ford Customline1955 Ford
The Ford line of cars gained a new body for 1955 to keep up with surging Chevrolet, although it remained similar to the 1952 Ford underneath...
, Studebaker Lark
Studebaker Lark
The Studebaker Lark is a "compact car" which was produced by Studebaker from 1959 to 1966.From its introduction in early 1959 until 1962, the Lark was a product of the Studebaker-Packard Corporation. In mid-1962, the company dropped "Packard" from its name and reverted to its pre-1954 name, the...
and Vauxhall Velox
Vauxhall Cresta
The Vauxhall Cresta is a British car first introduced in 1954 by Vauxhall Motors as an upmarket version of the Vauxhall Velox . When the Wyvern was replaced in 1957 the new larger car took the Cresta name...
.
Class B
Class B was for cars with an engine capacity between 1601cc and 2600cc. The class featured Ford FalconFord Falcon (Australia)
The Ford Falcon is a full-size car which has been manufactured by Ford Australia since 1960. Each model from the XA series of 1972 onward has been designed, developed and built in Australia and/or New Zealand, following the phasing out of the American Falcon of 1960–71 which had been re-engineered...
, Holden EK and Mercedes-Benz 220SE
Mercedes-Benz W111
The Mercedes-Benz W111 was a chassis code given to its top-range vehicles, including 4-door sedans, produced from 1959 to 1968, and 2-door coupes and cabriolets from 1961 to 1971. The W111, was initially attributed only to 6-cylinder cars with 2.2 litre engines. The luxury version with big-block 3...
.
Class C
Class C was for cars with an engine capacity of between 1001cc and 1600cc. The class featured Morris MajorMorris Major
The Morris Major and Austin Lancer are passenger car models produced by the British Motor Corporation of Australia between 1958 and 1964...
, Peugeot 403
Peugeot 403
The Peugeot 403 is a car produced by French automobile manufacturer Peugeot from 1955 to 1966.-History:The 403 made its debut in saloon body style on 20 April 1955 at the Trocadéro Palace in Paris...
, Simca Montlhery
Simca Aronde
The Simca Aronde was a family car manufactured by the French automaker Simca from 1951 to 1963. It was Simca's first original design , as well as the company's first unibody car...
and Volkswagen Beetle
Volkswagen Beetle
The Volkswagen Type 1, widely known as the Volkswagen Beetle or Volkswagen Bug, is an economy car produced by the German auto maker Volkswagen from 1938 until 2003...
.
Class D
Class D was for cars with an engine capacity of 1000cc or less. The class featured Ford AngliaFord Anglia
The 1949 model, code E494A, was a makeover of the previous model with a rather more 1940s style front-end, including the sloped, twin-lobed radiator grille. Again it was a very spartan vehicle and in 1948 was Britain's lowest priced four wheel car....
, Morris 850
Mini
The Mini is a small car that was made by the British Motor Corporation and its successors from 1959 until 2000. The original is considered a British icon of the 1960s, and its space-saving front-wheel-drive layout influenced a generation of car-makers...
, Renault Gordini and Triumph Herald
Triumph Herald
The Triumph Herald was a small two-door car introduced in 1959 by the Standard-Triumph Company of Coventry. Body design was by the Italian stylist Michelotti and the car was offered in saloon, convertible, coupé, van, and estate models....
.
Results
| Pos. | No. | Entrant | Drivers | Car | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class A | |||||
| 1 | 43 | York Motors | David McKay David McKay (journalist) David McKay was an Australian journalist and prominent motoring identity.While most well known as a journalist, specifically as a motoring writer, McKay was also a prominent figure in motor racing as both a driver and a race team owner... Brian Foley |
Studebaker Lark Studebaker Lark The Studebaker Lark is a "compact car" which was produced by Studebaker from 1959 to 1966.From its introduction in early 1959 until 1962, the Lark was a product of the Studebaker-Packard Corporation. In mid-1962, the company dropped "Packard" from its name and reverted to its pre-1954 name, the... |
166 |
| 2 | 41 | WF Coad | Frank Coad Frank Coad Frank Coad, who was born on 3 September 1930, is a former Australian racing driver.Coad's career was highlighted by taking victory in the original 1960 Armstrong 500 Frank Coad, who was born on 3 September 1930, is a former Australian racing driver.Coad's career was highlighted by taking victory in... John Roxburgh John Roxburgh (racing driver) John Roxburgh, was an Australian racing driver, and motor sports administrator.Roxburgh's career was highlighted by taking victory in the original 1960 Armstrong 500 , co-driving a Vauxhall Cresta with Frank Coad... |
Vauxhall Velox Vauxhall Cresta The Vauxhall Cresta is a British car first introduced in 1954 by Vauxhall Motors as an upmarket version of the Vauxhall Velox . When the Wyvern was replaced in 1957 the new larger car took the Cresta name... |
165 |
| 3 | 44 | Canada Cycle & Motor Co | Fred Sutherland Bill Graetz |
Studebaker Lark Studebaker Lark The Studebaker Lark is a "compact car" which was produced by Studebaker from 1959 to 1966.From its introduction in early 1959 until 1962, the Lark was a product of the Studebaker-Packard Corporation. In mid-1962, the company dropped "Packard" from its name and reverted to its pre-1954 name, the... |
165 |
| DNF | 42 | Peter Boyd-Squires Peter Will |
Ford Customline 1955 Ford The Ford line of cars gained a new body for 1955 to keep up with surging Chevrolet, although it remained similar to the 1952 Ford underneath... |
||
| Class B | |||||
| 1 | 32 | Autoland Pty Ltd | 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,... Harry Firth Harry Firth Harry L. Firth is an Australian former racing driver and team manager. Firth was a leading race and rally driver during the 1950s and 1960s and continued as an influential team manager well into the 1970s... |
Mercedes-Benz 220SE Mercedes-Benz W111 The Mercedes-Benz W111 was a chassis code given to its top-range vehicles, including 4-door sedans, produced from 1959 to 1968, and 2-door coupes and cabriolets from 1961 to 1971. The W111, was initially attributed only to 6-cylinder cars with 2.2 litre engines. The luxury version with big-block 3... |
167 |
| 2 | 35 | KJ Harper | Ken Harper Syd Fisher John Raeburn |
Ford Falcon XK | 161 |
| Disq | 33 | IM Strachan | Ian Strachan John Lanyon |
Holden EK Holden EK The Holden EK series is a motor vehicle that was produced by General Motors-Holden's in Australia from 1961 to 1962. Introduced on 2 May 1961, the EK series was a facelifted version of the Holden FB, which it replaced.- Model range :... |
134 |
| Class C | |||||
| 1 | 24 | GLA Russell | Geoff Russell Dave Anderson |
Peugeot 403 Peugeot 403 The Peugeot 403 is a car produced by French automobile manufacturer Peugeot from 1955 to 1966.-History:The 403 made its debut in saloon body style on 20 April 1955 at the Trocadéro Palace in Paris... |
163 |
| 2 | 26 | W Cox | Bill Coe Ron Lilley |
Peugeot 403 Peugeot 403 The Peugeot 403 is a car produced by French automobile manufacturer Peugeot from 1955 to 1966.-History:The 403 made its debut in saloon body style on 20 April 1955 at the Trocadéro Palace in Paris... |
161 |
| 3 | 22 | BJ Auto Service | Bob Brown Lionel Marsh Michael Lempriere |
Simca Montlhery Simca Aronde The Simca Aronde was a family car manufactured by the French automaker Simca from 1951 to 1963. It was Simca's first original design , as well as the company's first unibody car... |
160 |
| 4 | 25 | Bob Holden Bob Holden (racing driver) Robin John Holden born December 1, 1932, is an Australian racing driver. Holden raced small-engined touring cars throughout his career, racing Peugeots in the early 1960s, establishing a reputation for himself which saw him become a regular part of BMC Australias racing program for Minis which... Ken Brigden Albert Bridge |
Peugeot 403 Peugeot 403 The Peugeot 403 is a car produced by French automobile manufacturer Peugeot from 1955 to 1966.-History:The 403 made its debut in saloon body style on 20 April 1955 at the Trocadéro Palace in Paris... |
153 | |
| 5 | 21 | George Reynolds George Reynolds (racing driver) George Reynolds is a retired Australian racing driver.The career of Reynolds, who was born on 8 May 1928, extended from the late 1950s into the late 1960s... Greg Cusack |
Volkswagen Volkswagen Beetle The Volkswagen Type 1, widely known as the Volkswagen Beetle or Volkswagen Bug, is an economy car produced by the German auto maker Volkswagen from 1938 until 2003... |
152 | |
| DNF | 27 | Charlie Smith Bruce Maher Tony Osborne |
Morris Major Morris Major The Morris Major and Austin Lancer are passenger car models produced by the British Motor Corporation of Australia between 1958 and 1964... |
141 | |
| DNF | 28 | Eddie Clay Jack French Jim Gray |
Morris Major Morris Major The Morris Major and Austin Lancer are passenger car models produced by the British Motor Corporation of Australia between 1958 and 1964... |
135 | |
| Class D | |||||
| 1 | 3 | Monash Service Station | Jim Gullan Brian Sampson Brian Sampson (racing driver) Brian Sampson is a retired Australian racing driver.Sampson had a long career throughout the 60s and 70s, which he still continues as a hobby... John Connolly |
Renault Gordini | 157 |
| 2 | 4 | WM March | Bill March Norm Beechey Norm Beechey Norm Beechey was an Australian race car driver, given the nickname "Stormin Norman". To some, he was the closest thing Holden had to a star racing driver, before Peter Brock. Beechey competed in the Australian Touring Car Championship from 1963 to 1972 winning the title in 1965 driving a Ford... |
Renault Gordini | 156 |
| 3 | 9 | JGR Poulton | George Poulton Joe Vanaria |
Triumph Herald Triumph Herald The Triumph Herald was a small two-door car introduced in 1959 by the Standard-Triumph Company of Coventry. Body design was by the Italian stylist Michelotti and the car was offered in saloon, convertible, coupé, van, and estate models.... |
155 |
| 4 | 10 | Bill Jane Norm Henthorn Jim White |
Triumph Herald Triumph Herald The Triumph Herald was a small two-door car introduced in 1959 by the Standard-Triumph Company of Coventry. Body design was by the Italian stylist Michelotti and the car was offered in saloon, convertible, coupé, van, and estate models.... |
155 | |
| 5 | 15 | Alan Coffey Motors | Lou Molina Doug Whiteford Doug Whiteford Doug Whiteford was an Australian racing driver.Whiteford was best known as a competitor in the Australian Grand Prix which he won three times in four years. He was fondly remember for his Talbot-Lago T26 Formula One car which he used to win his second and third Grands Prix. His third win was at the... |
Ford Anglia Ford Anglia The 1949 model, code E494A, was a makeover of the previous model with a rather more 1940s style front-end, including the sloped, twin-lobed radiator grille. Again it was a very spartan vehicle and in 1948 was Britain's lowest priced four wheel car.... |
152 |
| 6 | 2 | Les Park Stan Martin |
Renault Gordini | 150 | |
| 7 | 11 | Alan Caelli J Edwards M Watson |
Ford Anglia Ford Anglia The 1949 model, code E494A, was a makeover of the previous model with a rather more 1940s style front-end, including the sloped, twin-lobed radiator grille. Again it was a very spartan vehicle and in 1948 was Britain's lowest priced four wheel car.... |
149 | |
| 8 | 14 | Kevin Lott Brian Devlin Peter Candy |
Ford Anglia Ford Anglia The 1949 model, code E494A, was a makeover of the previous model with a rather more 1940s style front-end, including the sloped, twin-lobed radiator grille. Again it was a very spartan vehicle and in 1948 was Britain's lowest priced four wheel car.... |
148 | |
| 9 | 12 | John Brindley Lou Burke |
Ford Anglia Ford Anglia The 1949 model, code E494A, was a makeover of the previous model with a rather more 1940s style front-end, including the sloped, twin-lobed radiator grille. Again it was a very spartan vehicle and in 1948 was Britain's lowest priced four wheel car.... |
148 | |
| 10 | 16 | Peter Coffey Ian Trudinger |
Ford Anglia Ford Anglia The 1949 model, code E494A, was a makeover of the previous model with a rather more 1940s style front-end, including the sloped, twin-lobed radiator grille. Again it was a very spartan vehicle and in 1948 was Britain's lowest priced four wheel car.... |
146 | |
| 11 | 7 | Neil Johannesen Graham Mills Jacques Sapir |
Morris 850 Mini The Mini is a small car that was made by the British Motor Corporation and its successors from 1959 until 2000. The original is considered a British icon of the 1960s, and its space-saving front-wheel-drive layout influenced a generation of car-makers... |
136 | |
| Disq | 8 | Hoot Gibson Paul England Paul England Paul England is an Australian former racing driver. He worked for the Repco company and raced his own Holden-powered Ausca sports racing car that used a fibreglass body based on the A6GCS Maserati. He contested a single Grand Prix race, the 1957 German Grand Prix, in a Formula 2 Cooper-Climax... |
Triumph Herald Triumph Herald The Triumph Herald was a small two-door car introduced in 1959 by the Standard-Triumph Company of Coventry. Body design was by the Italian stylist Michelotti and the car was offered in saloon, convertible, coupé, van, and estate models.... |
12 | |
Note : Officially, only class results were recognised, however, as the Mercedes-Benz driven by Bob Jane and Harry Firth was the only car to complete the full 500 mile distance, it is generally considered to be the "winner" of the race.