Vale Peter Fitzgerald

By Paul Gover

Date posted: 29 September 2024

Peter Fitzgerald never got the respect and recognition he deserved for his motor racing career.

He had considerable success across cars and classes, but because ‘Fitzy’ never cracked the touring car combination he was relegated to a supporting role in motorsport.

He died at the age of 74 in Melbourne on Saturday, September 29, after a long battle with cancer and now, rolling back the years, come the records of his success.

He was a champion in both Production Car and Porsche categories, raced the Bathurst 1000, and even competed in AUSCAR on the Thunderdome at Calder Park.

He also had a few runs in the Bathurst 1000, peaking with a class win and fourth outright in the Bathurst when sharing a factory-backed BMW M3 with Denny Hulme in 1991 after finishing second with Alan Jones at the Sandown 500 in the lead-up.

Fitzgerald was never a cashed-up contender and once, while fronting for Porsche against the mighty Mazda factory team in the Bathurst 12-Hour, his crew were eating ham sandwiches while the RX-7 runners had an on-site chef.

Even so, he won the inaugural 12-Hour in a Toyota Supra.

The Toyota was one of a string of winning cars for ’Fitzy’ in production cars, including a Holden Commodore.

He was a versatile driver and found his strength with Porsches, first as a front-running driver and then with his Fitzgerald Racing Services cars that claimed the 2008 Carrera Cup with Craig Baird after he wound back on his driving.

“Vale Peter Fitzgerald. Pete passed away this afternoon after an incredible battle against cancer,” Jim Richards’ wife, Fay, said in a Facebook tribute from her family.

“So much admiration of him for what he has been through to try to beat it. Sincere condolences to his lovely family. Hope the Melbourne Storm win the NRL Grand Final for you next week Fitzy.”

Image: Auto Action archives

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Vale Peter Fitzgerald

He was a champion in both Production Car and Porsche categories, raced the Bathurst 1000, and even competed in AUSCAR on the Thunderdome at Calder Park.

The Toyota was one of a string of winning cars for ’Fitzy’ in production cars, including a Holden Commodore.

“Vale Peter Fitzgerald. Pete passed away this afternoon after an incredible battle against cancer,” Jim Richards’ wife, Fay, said in a Facebook tribute from her family.

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