Tribute to a legend: Allan Moffat

Allan Moffat OBE, the legendary Canadian-born Australian Motorsport driver, has passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer's. The late Ford poster-boy represented all aspects of Australian Motorsport, from innovation to Aussie rivalry.

(Image credits to news.com.au)

“It's with heavy hearts that everyone at Ford Australia shares our deepest condolences on the passing of the legendary Allan Moffat OBE.

All was a true superstar of Australian motor racing and a hero to all Blue Oval fans, both here and abroad…

Vale Allen Moffat.” - Ford Australia (via Instagram)

Allan George Moffat OBE, a Canadian-born Australian racing driver, is being remembered across the world as one of the most influential figures in Australian Motorsport. Originally born in Saskatoon, Canada, on 10th of November in 1939, Moffat and his family moved to Australia to pursue his racing career when he was only 17 years old. Starting out in Australia in the early 1960s, Moffat raced in the inaugural 1964 Sandown six-hour enduro, a famously located Australian track. Following this, Moffat ventured to America for roughly 5 years in order to gain further racing experience. Returning to Australia in 1969, Moffat began to build his long-lasting legacy within Australian Motorsport.

Arguably one of the greats during the prime Australian Touring Car Racing eras, Moffat’s achievements range across Australia’s highest revered tracks, including Bathurst and Sandown. Of these two legendary races, Moffat won Bathurst four times, and Sandown six times, solidifying his name as a Motorsport great. Between 1965 and 1989, in Australia and internationally, Moffat won 32 of his 100 race starts. In addition to this, out of his 151 starts between 1969 and 1972, Moffat dominated and won 101 races. Consequently, the Touring Car Championship was secured by Moffat four times, in 1973, 1976, 1977, and 1983. Three of these championship wins were while Moffat was racing for Ford, painting him as the poster boy for Ford Racing Australia.

Moffat, following his outstanding career in Australian motorsports, was given an OBE; Order of the British Empire. An official recognition by the British Monarchy, Moffat’s OBE was due to his enduring contributions to the motorsport field, introducing various new implications that still stand today in the Australian Motorsport industry. Of these introductory suggestions by Moffat, the TEGA and the use of sponsorship were the most successful and relevant ones. The Touring Car Entrants Group of Australia (TEGA) was an established association within Motorsport Australia that dealt with technical and engineering rules, establishing a safe and equal grid of Touring Car racers. In addition to this, the TEGA was essentially responsible for the supply of chassis and spare parts, which greatly enhanced the use of Australian-made products. Furthermore, this pioneering association assisted in gaining new sponsorships for Australia’s racing industry, with such sponsors such as Penrite Oil and Shell-V Power still grossly involved in the sport today. Following Moffat’s huge success in the motorsport industry, he was inducted into the V8 Supercars Hall of Fame in 1999. In 2016, he was also inducted into the Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame, and later the Supercars Hall of Fame in 2018.

An additional outcome of Moffat’s participation in Australian Motorsport was the development of the largest rivalry in Australian history, Ford vs Holden. Given that Moffat was already considered Ford’s poster boy due to his three championships and various records, his battles with Holden's poster boy, Peter Brock became something of a legend among Australians. Moffat and Brock are still the only drivers to this day who have won both the Bathurst 500 and the Bathurst 1000, depicting them both as icons for the Bathurst region. Moffat and Brock also fought each other for varying records, including the most touring car round wins. Originally, Moffat held the record with 25 and 32 wins respectively, but was later overtaken by Brock, further showcasing the keen rivalry between the two. Championship battles and iconic race wins fueled the Australian rivalry of Ford vs Holden, which, even though Holden is no longer an official racing team, still stands today.

In final recognition of Moffat as the legend he is, one iconic moment solidified his right as a Motorsport superstar. The 1-2 finish of both Ford cars in the 1977 Bathurst 1000. In this race, Moffat and Colin Bond, the other Ford driver at the time, orchestrated a picture-perfect finish, with both cars pulling up to the finish line in perfect harmony, resulting in the 1-2 finish of Ford Racing. Moffat was the one who asked on the team radio whether this could be done, as he understood the significance it would have on Australian Ford fans, but equally because it was reported that he was having brake issues and saw this as a reasonable way to salvage the win for both Ford cars.

(1-2 Ford finish, Image credit to supercars.com)

It was reported by Moffat’s family that the Motorsport legend died peacefully, surrounded by family, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Tributes from family, friends, and other Motorsport icons such as Tim Slade, Declan Fraser, and Jake Perkins soon flowed in, displaying their respect for the late Allan Moffat OBE.

“Rest Easy Dad 💙

Allan George Moffat

1939-2025”

 - James Moffat, Allan’s son and fellow racing driver, via Instagram

“VALE ALLAN MOFFAT

Team 18 would like to pay tribute to Allan Moffat, a true icon who helped shape the modern, professional era of Australian Motorsport. His contribution will never be forgotten.

Condolences are with the Moffat family and his friends during this time.”

 - Team 18 racing via Instagram 

“A tremendously sad day for motorsport with the passing of the great Allan Moffat OBE.

On behalf of the Johnson family and the entire Shell V-Power Racing Team, we send our condolences to Allan’s family, friends and the broader motorsport community.”

 - Shell V-Power Racing via Instagram

Article written by Gabriella Pugh Ⓒ Gabriella Pugh 2025