Alan Hamilton

Interview with Alan Hamilton by By SPEEDCAFE.COM THURSDAY 11TH JULY, 2013 - 9:48AM

Alan Hamilton’s motorsport career is best remembered for two moments.

The first one that springs to mind his second place at Bathurst in 1977 as co-driver with Colin Bond, as part of Allan Moffat’s famous Falcon 1-2 victory.

Then a year later Hamilton survived a terrifying crash at Sandown Park during the 1978 Australian Grand Prix (see video below) under the Dunlop bridge when he was running in second place behind Kiwi Graham McRae, the eventual winner.

But Hamilton’s motorsport career, passion and achievements extend beyond those moments and beyond the driver’s seat.

As the Porsche importer for 40 years, Hamilton juggled his time between growing the family business and successfully pursuing his love of the sport.

As a driver he rose to the top in touring cars and the powerful Formula 5000 open wheelers that nearly cost him his life. Hamilton was also very successful in sports cars and hill climbs.

Several national titles attest to his ability and driving prowess.

As a team owner Hamilton was equally successful. His team won several titles including Australian GT Championships and Gold Star titles.

Along the way there were Le Mans attempts and smashing the magic one-minute lap at the old Sandown circuit with Alfie Costanzo driving Hamilton’s ex James Hunt McLaren M26, converted to F5000 spec.

Costanzo stopped the clock at 59.6s on the bumpy, narrow high speed circuit.

Speedcafe caught on with Hamilton to reflect on his impressive and interesting career.

SPEEDCAFE: In 1969 a young Allan Moffat made his debut at Bathurst debut in the GTHO Falcon. As his team-mate what was that like and what were the dynamics like between you two?

HAMILTON: That was great. We had big Al Turner running the team at that stage and Ford had decided to run with racing tyres whereas previously everyone ran Michelins or something that were long wearing. It was tyres that cost Ford the win at that meeting and of the factory cars, it was Allan’s and mine that didn’t roll over due to blown tyres. I think from memory we finished fourth outright (one lap down) and thoroughly enjoyed it. I again drove with the Moffat team at Bathurst in 1977, which was very successful with the two Ford’s finishing first and second. I was able to pay Allan (Moffat) back by giving him a GT Championship in 1980 in the Porsche 934. The dynamics between Allan and I were always good but I can’t say that for all the other members of the team who found Allan a bit abrasive.
Back in those days the CAMS offices were in St Kilda Road and I remember very well attending a meeting with Norm Beechey, and Bob Jane and CAMS were considering banning Allan from racing because of his, let’s say rather intense driving methods on the track. Without exception all the drivers said, ‘No, you can’t ban him for that’. That was possibly a part of Allan’s career that he didn’t know about.