1989 ATCC R5 Mallala

/ super100mph
This was an interesting race as Mallala was included in the ATCC as round 5 after a break of 18 years for touring cars (Bob Jane was the last winner back then.) Not all the drivers were happy about the Mallala track as a venue, you will find out who in this video. Some great racecam footage from the Jim Richards HR 31 Nissan GTR, a must see. Mallala produced some great racing and is an interesting track in our view, enjoy! All Credit Channel 7 Sport, commentators Mike Raymond, Garry Wilkinson, Neil Crompton.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989_Aus...
1989 also saw the last ATCC round win for long time Nissan driver George Fury when he took victory in Round 7 at the tight Winton circuit in rural Victoria in what proved to be the most competitive race of the championship. Fury was joined in the Nissan team by 1985 and 1987 champion Jim Richards, and the teams 1987 recruit Mark Skaife, each driving a turbocharged Skyline HR31 GTS-R. Skaife made his first appearance of the series at the Mallala circuit in South Australia for Round 5, and avoided the first corner carnage (caused by an out of control Brock) to finish a fine fifth.

[@markhobson5769]

This was the fifth year of Channel 7's coverage of the ATCC in 1989.

[@dj17q]

One thing I always liked about those early channel 7 coverage of ATCC series were the cheesey 80s music theme during introduction or the qualifying highlights.. At times they are so addictive......strangely we didn't get any of those lately.

[@crayman31]

Great viewing - cheers for the upload!

[@Athertoons]

Yep, there were several dozen track marshalls which were not enamoured with Dick's comments for this meeting. You drive the circuit just like everybody else has to. Mallala was a great little place, historic to boot. Watching the Sierras squirm putting the power down- along the straight (!) was memorable. Thanks for posting.

[@Holden308]

In all seriousness, back in 1989 Mallala's facilities were no worse than at say Winton or Symmons Plains. Other than it not being in Qld or his opinion on the facilities, Johnson really only didn't like the place because unlike AIR with its 900+ metre long straight, his all-powerful Sierra's couldn't fully exploit their power advantage at Mallala. Sure he won this race rather easily but was greatly helped by Brock at the first corner thinking he was back doing rallycross in the HDT "Beast".

[@christineayres7199]

Tjose old Nissans pulling on the Sierra Cosworths so unexpected as the Cossie used to be the boss on track

[@Holden308]

No offence to Dick Johnson but he never liked any venue that wasn't Lakeside, the old Surfers circuit or Bathurst. Hell, he even hated Sandown simply because it wasn't in Qld no matter how many races he won there (he simply hates Melbourne's weather, but then who doesn't?). Clem Smith put most of the money earned from hosting things like ATCC rounds back into improving the Mallala circuit and its a pity that the V8's or GT Championship doesn't go there these days.

[@TheFokker03]

didn't realise the Sierra was available in Australia!

[@ldnwholesale8552]

It was not, nor was the Nissan etc. The only car available was the Commondore

[@peterhunter2298]

I think there were only two road going RS500 Sierra's in Australia. Dick Johnson owned one of them. That was the difference with Group A to the old Group C rules we had here from 1973-84. In Group C the cars that raced had to be available for public sale. Group A being an international category was not bound to that, thus we got the Sierra and the DR30 and R31 Skylines (you could buy similar Skylines, but not the same). A lot of fans, especially Holden fans, always claimed the Sierra's shouldn't have been allowed to race here because they weren't sold here, but the rules allowed it. And besides, most of their gripe was because the Ford Sierra's were kicking the V8 Commodore's butt.

[@whatsupshittafabraans1926]

Then there’s the race around the hills hoist