CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN PART 2 OF 2

In the February 2021 issue (which you can order at http:shop.kelsey.co.uk) we looked at the achievements of Australian-built Minis at Bathurst in 1963, 1964 and 1965. Every year the Mini was improving its attack against other Australian-built cars on Australia’s Bathurst circuit but, in 1966, the 1275cc Cooper S became eligible for entry…

1966

Rather than ban the Ford GT500 outright after its controversial win in 1965, the Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC) changed one important aspect of the rules for 1966. The minimum number of cars assembled locally was increased from 100 to 250, the same as for imported cars. Harry Firth wanted to do a MkII version of the GT500 but Ford refused to back the plan, having lost an estimated £60,000 on the first version and with the higher number of cars required. As work was