Bathurst 1000 Winners: A Complete History

Oct 13, 2025 by SLV Team 42 views

The Bathurst 1000, affectionately known as "The Great Race," is an iconic Australian motorsport event steeped in history and tradition. Held annually at the Mount Panorama circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, it's a grueling endurance race that tests the skill, strategy, and stamina of both drivers and their machines. For fans and racers alike, winning Bathurst is the pinnacle of Australian motorsport, etching their names into the history books. So, let's dive into the amazing list of Bathurst 1000 winners!

Early Years: Conquering the Mountain in the 1960s

The race originated as the Armstrong 500 at Phillip Island in 1960, before moving to Bathurst in 1963. These early years saw a variety of manufacturers and drivers vying for supremacy as the race grew in popularity and prestige. The 1960s were all about establishing the legend of the mountain and the race itself. The challenging circuit, with its steep inclines, sharp corners, and unforgiving walls, quickly became a proving ground for both man and machine.

1963: Bob Jane and Harry Firth in a Ford Cortina GT inaugurated the Bathurst era, setting the stage for Ford's early dominance. Their victory was a testament to the reliability and performance of the Cortina, as they navigated the challenging circuit with skill and precision. The win marked a significant moment in Australian motorsport history, establishing the race as a premier event.
1964: Jane and Firth repeated their success, further cementing their place in Bathurst folklore. Their back-to-back victories showcased their mastery of the mountain and their ability to extract the most from their machinery. The duo's consistency and strategic prowess proved to be a winning formula, solidifying their reputation as formidable competitors.
1965: Barry Seton and Midge Bosworth piloted a Ford Cortina GT to victory, adding another chapter to Ford's winning streak. Seton and Bosworth's triumph demonstrated the enduring competitiveness of the Cortina, as they battled against a field of talented drivers and determined teams. Their victory was a hard-fought achievement, highlighting their skill and determination.
1966: Leo Geoghegan and Ian Geoghegan in a Ford Cortina GT continued the Ford dynasty, showcasing the marque's engineering prowess. The Geoghegan brothers' victory was a family affair, as they combined their talents to conquer the mountain. Their win was a testament to their teamwork and their shared passion for motorsport, further solidifying their place in Bathurst history.
1967: Harry Firth, this time with Fred Gibson, triumphed in a Ford XR Falcon GT, marking a shift towards larger, more powerful vehicles. Firth's third Bathurst victory, alongside Gibson, signaled a new era in Australian motorsport, as manufacturers began to prioritize performance and power. Their win demonstrated the capabilities of the Falcon GT, setting the stage for its future success at Bathurst.
1968: Bruce McPhee and Barry Mulholland in a Holden HK Monaro GTS 327 secured Holden's first Bathurst victory, breaking Ford's dominance and igniting the legendary Ford vs. Holden rivalry. McPhee and Mulholland's triumph was a watershed moment for Holden, as they proved their ability to compete with Ford on the biggest stage. Their victory ignited a fierce rivalry that would captivate Australian motorsport fans for decades to come.
1969: Colin Bond and Tony Roberts in a Holden HT Monaro GTS 350 continued Holden's winning ways, solidifying their position as a force to be reckoned with. Bond and Roberts' victory further cemented Holden's status as a contender, as they showcased the reliability and performance of the Monaro GTS 350. Their win was a testament to their skill and their ability to overcome the challenges of the mountain.

The Touring Car Era: Ford vs. Holden Intensifies (1970s & 1980s)

The 1970s and 1980s witnessed the rise of purpose-built touring cars, leading to some of the most iconic battles in Bathurst history. The Ford versus Holden rivalry reached fever pitch, with legendary drivers like Peter Brock, Allan Moffat, and Dick Johnson becoming household names.

1970: Allan Moffat, driving a Ford XW Falcon GTHO, clinched his first Bathurst victory, setting the stage for his legendary career. Moffat's triumph was a sign of things to come, as he established himself as a dominant force in Australian motorsport. His win demonstrated his exceptional driving skills and his ability to extract the most from his machine.
1971: Moffat repeated his success in the same Falcon GTHO, showcasing his mastery of the mountain. Moffat's back-to-back victories solidified his reputation as a Bathurst legend, as he continued to dominate the competition. His consistency and strategic prowess proved to be a winning combination.
1972: Peter Brock, in a Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1, achieved his first of nine Bathurst victories, marking the beginning of his reign as the "King of the Mountain". Brock's triumph was a defining moment in his career, as he announced himself as a future superstar. His win was a testament to his natural talent and his unwavering determination.
1973: Peter Brock and Brian Sampson in a Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1 secured another victory for Holden, further fueling the rivalry with Ford. Brock and Sampson's victory continued Holden's winning streak, as they showcased the reliability and performance of the Torana GTR XU-1. Their win was a testament to their teamwork and their ability to overcome the challenges of the mountain.
1974: John Goss and Kevin Bartlett in a Ford XA Falcon GT emerged victorious, breaking Holden's winning streak. Goss and Bartlett's triumph was a welcome return to form for Ford, as they proved their ability to compete with Holden on the biggest stage. Their win demonstrated their skill and their ability to extract the most from their machine.
1975: Peter Brock and Brian Sampson reunited to win in a Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000, continuing Brock's dominance. Brock and Sampson's victory further cemented their place in Bathurst history, as they continued to dominate the competition. Their win was a testament to their teamwork and their unwavering determination.
1976: John Fitzpatrick and Bob Morris in a Holden Torana L34 secured a hard-fought victory, showcasing the competitiveness of the Torana. Fitzpatrick and Morris' triumph was a testament to their skill and their ability to overcome the challenges of the mountain. Their win demonstrated the enduring competitiveness of the Torana, as they battled against a field of talented drivers and determined teams.
1977: Allan Moffat and Jacky Ickx, in a Ford XC Falcon Hardtop, achieved a legendary 1-2 finish, cementing Moffat's place in Bathurst folklore. Moffat and Ickx's victory was a defining moment in Bathurst history, as they dominated the competition in their Ford XC Falcon Hardtop. Their 1-2 finish showcased the engineering prowess of Ford and the exceptional driving skills of Moffat and Ickx.
1978: Peter Brock and Jim Richards in a Holden LX Torana SS A9X began a dominant era for Brock, showcasing the A9X's performance. Brock and Richards' victory marked the beginning of a dominant era for Brock, as he continued to conquer the mountain with his exceptional driving skills. Their win demonstrated the performance capabilities of the Holden LX Torana SS A9X.
1979: Brock and Richards repeated their success in the same Torana A9X, solidifying their partnership. Brock and Richards' back-to-back victories solidified their partnership, as they continued to dominate the competition. Their win was a testament to their teamwork and their ability to overcome the challenges of the mountain.
1980: Peter Brock and John Harvey in a Holden Commodore VB secured another victory for Holden, further cementing Brock's legacy. Brock and Harvey's triumph was a continuation of Brock's dominance, as he continued to conquer the mountain with his exceptional driving skills. Their win demonstrated the reliability and performance of the Holden Commodore VB.
1981: Dick Johnson and John French in a Ford XD Falcon achieved a popular victory, marking Johnson's first Bathurst win. Johnson and French's victory was a popular one, as fans celebrated Johnson's first Bathurst win. Their triumph was a testament to their skill and their ability to overcome the challenges of the mountain.
1982: Peter Brock, Larry Perkins, and Colin Bond in a Holden Commodore VH secured a dominant victory, showcasing the Commodore's performance. Brock, Perkins, and Bond's victory was a dominant one, as they showcased the performance capabilities of the Holden Commodore VH. Their win was a testament to their teamwork and their exceptional driving skills.
1983: Peter Brock, Larry Perkins, and John Harvey in a Holden Commodore VH repeated their success, further cementing Brock's legacy. Brock, Perkins, and Harvey's back-to-back victories solidified Brock's legacy, as he continued to conquer the mountain with his exceptional driving skills. Their win was a testament to their teamwork and their ability to overcome the challenges of the mountain.
1984: Peter Brock and Larry Perkins in a Holden Commodore VK achieved another victory, showcasing the VK's performance. Brock and Perkins' victory further cemented their place in Bathurst history, as they continued to dominate the competition. Their win demonstrated the performance capabilities of the Holden Commodore VK.
1985: John Goss and Armin Hahne in a Jaguar XJS secured a surprise victory, breaking the Holden-Ford dominance. Goss and Hahne's victory was a surprise one, as they broke the Holden-Ford dominance with their Jaguar XJS. Their triumph was a testament to their skill and their ability to overcome the challenges of the mountain.
1986: Allan Grice and Graeme Bailey in a Holden VK Commodore secured a victory, marking Grice's first Bathurst win. Grice and Bailey's victory was a significant one, as it marked Grice's first Bathurst win. Their triumph was a testament to their skill and their ability to overcome the challenges of the mountain.
1987: Peter Brock, Peter McLeod, and David Parsons in a Holden VL Commodore SS Group A secured a controversial victory after the leading BMW was disqualified. Brock, McLeod, and Parsons' victory was a controversial one, as it came after the leading BMW was disqualified. Their triumph was a testament to their skill and their ability to capitalize on the misfortunes of others.

The Modern Era: New Manufacturers and Global Competition (1990s – Present)

The 1990s brought new manufacturers into the mix, including Nissan and BMW, adding a new dimension to the competition. The race continued to evolve, with increased professionalism and global participation.

1990: Win Percy, Allan Grice, and Allan Moffat in a Holden VL Commodore SS Group A SV secured a victory, marking Moffat's final Bathurst win. Percy, Grice, and Moffat's victory was a significant one, as it marked Moffat's final Bathurst win. Their triumph was a testament to their skill and their ability to conquer the mountain one last time.
1991: Mark Skaife and Jim Richards in a Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R, famously dubbed "Godzilla," achieved a dominant victory, marking Nissan's first Bathurst win. Skaife and Richards' victory was a dominant one, as they showcased the performance capabilities of the Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R. Their win marked Nissan's first Bathurst win and signaled a new era in Australian motorsport.
1992: Skaife and Richards repeated their success in the same Skyline GT-R, cementing Nissan's dominance. Skaife and Richards' back-to-back victories cemented Nissan's dominance, as they continued to conquer the mountain with their exceptional driving skills. Their win was a testament to their teamwork and their ability to extract the most from their machine.
1993: Larry Perkins and Gregg Hansford in a Holden VP Commodore secured a victory, returning Holden to the top step of the podium. Perkins and Hansford's victory was a welcome return to form for Holden, as they proved their ability to compete with Nissan on the biggest stage. Their win demonstrated their skill and their ability to overcome the challenges of the mountain.
1994: John Bowe and Dick Johnson in a Ford EB Falcon secured a popular victory, marking Johnson's last Bathurst win. Bowe and Johnson's victory was a popular one, as fans celebrated Johnson's last Bathurst win. Their triumph was a testament to their skill and their ability to conquer the mountain one last time.
1995: Peter Brock and Craig Lowndes in a Holden VR Commodore secured a sentimental victory, marking Brock's ninth and final Bathurst win. Brock and Lowndes' victory was a sentimental one, as it marked Brock's ninth and final Bathurst win. Their triumph was a testament to Brock's legendary status and his ability to inspire a generation of motorsport fans.
1996: Craig Lowndes and Greg Murphy in a Holden VR Commodore secured a victory, marking Lowndes' first Bathurst win without Brock. Lowndes and Murphy's victory was a significant one, as it marked Lowndes' first Bathurst win without Brock. Their triumph was a testament to Lowndes' exceptional driving skills and his ability to lead a team to victory.
1997: Geoff Brabham and David Brabham in a BMW Motorsport F1 GTR secured a controversial victory in wet conditions. Geoff and David Brabham's victory was a controversial one, as it came in wet conditions that many believed favored the BMW. Their triumph was a testament to their skill and their ability to adapt to changing conditions.
1998: Jason Bright and Steven Richards in a Ford EL Falcon secured a victory, returning Ford to the top step of the podium. Bright and Richards' victory was a welcome return to form for Ford, as they proved their ability to compete with Holden on the biggest stage. Their win demonstrated their skill and their ability to overcome the challenges of the mountain.
1999: Steven Richards and Greg Murphy in a Holden VT Commodore secured a victory, continuing Holden's dominance in the late 1990s. Richards and Murphy's victory continued Holden's dominance, as they showcased the reliability and performance of the Holden VT Commodore. Their win was a testament to their teamwork and their exceptional driving skills.
2000: Garth Tander and Jason Bargwanna in a Garry Rogers Motorsport Holden VT Commodore secured a victory, marking a memorable win for the privateer team. Tander and Bargwanna's victory was a memorable one, as it marked a win for the privateer team of Garry Rogers Motorsport. Their triumph was a testament to their skill and their ability to compete with the factory-backed teams.
2001: Mark Skaife and Tony Longhurst in a Holden VX Commodore secured a dominant victory, showcasing the Commodore's performance. Skaife and Longhurst's victory was a dominant one, as they showcased the performance capabilities of the Holden VX Commodore. Their win was a testament to their teamwork and their exceptional driving skills.
2002: Skaife and Jim Richards reunited to win in a Holden VX Commodore, further cementing their place in Bathurst history. Skaife and Richards' victory further cemented their place in Bathurst history, as they continued to conquer the mountain with their exceptional driving skills. Their win was a testament to their enduring partnership and their ability to overcome the challenges of the mountain.
2003: Greg Murphy and Rick Kelly in a K-Mart Holden VY Commodore secured a victory, marking a dominant era for Murphy. Murphy and Kelly's victory marked the beginning of a dominant era for Murphy, as he continued to conquer the mountain with his exceptional driving skills. Their win demonstrated the performance capabilities of the Holden VY Commodore.
2004: Murphy and Kelly repeated their success in the same Commodore VY, solidifying their partnership. Murphy and Kelly's back-to-back victories solidified their partnership, as they continued to dominate the competition. Their win was a testament to their teamwork and their ability to extract the most from their machine.
2005: Mark Skaife and Todd Kelly in a Holden VZ Commodore secured a victory, marking Skaife's fifth Bathurst win. Skaife and Kelly's victory was a significant one, as it marked Skaife's fifth Bathurst win. Their triumph was a testament to their skill and their ability to conquer the mountain once again.
2006: Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup in a Ford BA Falcon secured a victory, ending Holden's dominance and marking the beginning of a new era for Ford. Lowndes and Whincup's victory ended Holden's dominance and marked the beginning of a new era for Ford. Their triumph was a testament to their skill and their ability to lead a team to victory.
2007: Lowndes and Whincup repeated their success in the same Falcon BA, solidifying their partnership. Lowndes and Whincup's back-to-back victories solidified their partnership, as they continued to dominate the competition. Their win was a testament to their teamwork and their ability to extract the most from their machine.
2008: Whincup and Lowndes, this time in a Ford BF Falcon, secured another victory, continuing Ford's dominance. Whincup and Lowndes' victory continued Ford's dominance, as they showcased the reliability and performance of the Ford BF Falcon. Their win was a testament to their exceptional driving skills and their ability to conquer the mountain.
2009: Garth Tander and Will Davison in a Holden VE Commodore secured a victory, returning Holden to the top step of the podium. Tander and Davison's victory was a welcome return to form for Holden, as they proved their ability to compete with Ford on the biggest stage. Their win demonstrated their skill and their ability to overcome the challenges of the mountain.
2010: Craig Lowndes and Mark Skaife in a Holden VE Commodore secured a sentimental victory, marking Skaife's sixth and final Bathurst win. Lowndes and Skaife's victory was a sentimental one, as it marked Skaife's sixth and final Bathurst win. Their triumph was a testament to Skaife's legendary status and his ability to inspire a generation of motorsport fans.
2011: Nick Percat and Garth Tander in a Holden VE Commodore secured a victory, marking Percat's first Bathurst win. Percat and Tander's victory was a significant one, as it marked Percat's first Bathurst win. Their triumph was a testament to their skill and their ability to conquer the mountain together.
2012: Jamie Whincup and Paul Dumbrell in a Holden VE Commodore secured a victory, continuing Holden's dominance in the early 2010s. Whincup and Dumbrell's victory continued Holden's dominance, as they showcased the reliability and performance of the Holden VE Commodore. Their win was a testament to their teamwork and their exceptional driving skills.
2013: Mark Winterbottom and Steven Richards in a Ford FG Falcon secured a victory, ending Holden's streak and returning Ford to the top step of the podium. Winterbottom and Richards' victory ended Holden's streak and returned Ford to the top step of the podium. Their triumph was a testament to their skill and their ability to lead a team to victory.
2014: Chaz Mostert and Paul Morris in a Ford FG Falcon secured a dramatic victory after a late-race charge. Mostert and Morris' victory was a dramatic one, as it came after a late-race charge. Their triumph was a testament to their skill and their ability to capitalize on opportunities.
2015: Craig Lowndes and Steven Richards in a Holden VF Commodore secured a victory, marking Lowndes' sixth Bathurst win. Lowndes and Richards' victory was a significant one, as it marked Lowndes' sixth Bathurst win. Their triumph was a testament to their skill and their ability to conquer the mountain once again.
2016: Will Davison and Jonathan Webb in a Tekno Autosports Holden VF Commodore secured a narrow victory after a thrilling finish. Davison and Webb's victory was a narrow one, as it came after a thrilling finish. Their triumph was a testament to their skill and their ability to hold off the competition under pressure.
2017: David Reynolds and Luke Youlden in an Erebus Motorsport Holden Commodore secured a dominant victory, marking a significant win for the privateer team. Reynolds and Youlden's victory was a dominant one, as it marked a significant win for the privateer team of Erebus Motorsport. Their triumph was a testament to their skill and their ability to compete with the factory-backed teams.
2018: Craig Lowndes and Steven Richards in a Triple Eight Race Engineering Holden ZB Commodore secured a sentimental victory, marking Lowndes' seventh and final Bathurst win. Lowndes and Richards' victory was a sentimental one, as it marked Lowndes' seventh and final Bathurst win. Their triumph was a testament to Lowndes' legendary status and his ability to inspire a generation of motorsport fans.
2019: Scott McLaughlin and Alexandre Prémat in a DJR Team Penske Ford Mustang GT secured a controversial victory, marking the Mustang's first Bathurst win in decades. Mclaughlin and Premat's victory was a controversial one, as it came after a penalty was given to a competitor. Their triumph was a testament to their skill and their ability to capitalize on the misfortunes of others.
2020: Shane van Gisbergen and Garth Tander in a Triple Eight Race Engineering Holden Commodore ZB secured a victory, marking van Gisbergen's first Bathurst win. Van Gisbergen and Tander's victory was a significant one, as it marked Van Gisbergen's first Bathurst win. Their triumph was a testament to their skill and their ability to conquer the mountain together.
2021: Chaz Mostert and Lee Holdsworth in a Walkinshaw Andretti United Holden Commodore ZB secured a dominant victory, breaking a long drought for the team. Mostert and Holdsworth's victory was a dominant one, as it broke a long drought for the team of Walkinshaw Andretti United. Their triumph was a testament to their skill and their ability to lead a team to victory.
2022: Shane van Gisbergen and Garth Tander in a Triple Eight Race Engineering Holden Commodore ZB secured a victory, marking their second Bathurst 1000 win as a pair.. Van Gisbergen and Tander's victory in 2022 marked their second Bathurst 1000 win as a pair, solidifying their status as a formidable duo on the mountain. Their consistent performance and strategic prowess throughout the race were key to their success, as they navigated the challenging conditions and intense competition with skill and precision.
2023: Broc Feeney and Jamie Whincup in a Triple Eight Race Engineering Red Bull Ampol Racing Holden Commodore ZB secured a victory, with Broc Feeney becoming the youngest ever winner of the Bathurst 1000. The 2023 Bathurst 1000 saw Broc Feeney and Jamie Whincup take the top spot, with Feeney becoming the youngest ever winner of the iconic race. This victory not only marked a significant milestone in Feeney's career but also added another chapter to the storied history of Triple Eight Race Engineering. The duo's exceptional teamwork and the reliability of their Holden Commodore ZB were crucial factors in their triumph, as they navigated the grueling 1000-kilometer race with unwavering focus and determination.

The Bathurst 1000 winners list is a who's who of Australian motorsport legends. From the early pioneers to the modern-day heroes, each victory represents a unique story of skill, determination, and the pursuit of greatness on the Mount Panorama circuit. The race continues to evolve, but the spirit of competition and the challenge of the mountain remain the same, ensuring that the Bathurst 1000 will continue to captivate fans for generations to come. Whether you're a seasoned motorsport enthusiast or a newcomer to the sport, the history of the Bathurst 1000 is sure to fascinate and inspire.