The Moffat Mountain straight?

The push to rename Mount Panorama’s Mountain straight after Australian racing and Bathurst great Allan Moffat is growing support amongst race fans.

A social media group called ‘Moffat Mountain Straight Mount Panorama‘ started the push for the renaming, and has started to gather some interest.

With the circuit’s skyline named after Aussie racing great Peter Brock, naming the Mountain straight after the four time Bathurst 500/1000 winner – and five time class victor – would be a great recognition of the huge contribution Moffat made to Australian racing.

When reflecting on the history of the ‘Great Race’, the rivalry between Brock and Moffat helped propel the profile of the race in the eyes and interests of the wider public, helping to contribute to the now enormous status of the Bathurst 1000.

Allan Moffat’s Bud Moore built Ford Boss 302 Mustang – Photo: LAT

AUTO ACTION contacted Robert Taylor, the Mayor of Bathurst, who does support Moffat being honoured in some form at the iconic mountain circuit.

“We certainly recognise Moffat’s contribution to motorsport in this country, and to Mount Panorama, and that he loved the mountain…and we’d certainly like to honour him in some means,” said Mayor Taylor.

“We can’t comment specifically at the moment in regards to the renaming of Mountain Straight, as there has been a lot going on with the gas situation and the Bathurst International happening all at the same time…but what that tribute will be, we haven’t decided as of yet. 

“But we’ll be watching the support that the social media group gets, and it’s obviously important what the fans think. I certainly recognise that he needs to be honoured in some form. We’ll have to wait and see before we consider anything.”

The proposal has even drawn a comment from Motorsport Australia with a spokesperson commenting that: “We believe that the proposal has merit…we would be more than happy to support any request for the recognition.”

Sports-radio Network station, “Inside Racing”, also discussed the proposal on its program, which can be heard by clicking on this link.

And Just days after Steve ‘Junior’ Johnson took a Moffat inspired Brut #33 to outright victory in a Mustang Trans Am in the Touring Car Masters, the push continued to grow interest.

The Moffat inspired Brut #33 Mustang Trans Am driven by Steve Johnson in the Touring Car Masters. Image: Daniel Kalisz

Spokesperson for the social media group, Jem Cullen says that “Social media is alive with people behind this”, stating on the page:

When we reflect on the history of the Bathurst 500 and 1000, there are two names that tower above all: Moffat and Brock.

Peter has the trophy and skyline named after him, Now it’s time we recognised Moffat for the way he revolutionised racing in this country. Allans intensity and professionalism changed Australian motor sport forever. His rivalry with Peter Brock and sheer intensity captured The nation and propelled the 500/1000 from a race of interest to petrol heads to a national event rivalling football finals and the Melbourne cup.

If Mt Panorama skyline is now Brocks Skyline, I think we should have Mountain straight renamed Moffat Straight, in honour of his bellowing Fords muscling up that hill. 

Moffat ate, slept and breathed Bathurst. He often said there was only one race that mattered, Bathurst. Everything else was preparation. Mt Panorama was everything to him and we made him part of it forever.

This would involve very little expenditure and generate great PR, goodwill and news coverage for the track and Bathurst itself. And if there was a ceremony, it would attract tourism to the town.

Most importantly we need to convince Bathurst council to Gazette the change.

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