The comeback that almost was

As a kid in the 1970s, I remember the Bathurst 1000 as an annual motorsport highlight, and the 1976 Bathurst 1000 is officially remembered for Bobby Morris and John Fitzpatrick’s victory. But much of the attention centred on the remarkable comeback of Jack Brabham and Stirling Moss. Brabham, Australia’s first Formula One World Champion, retired in 1970, while Moss had not raced competitively since his career-ending Goodwood accident in 1962. Their return generated enormous international interest. Moss agreed to race only if Brabham was his co-driver. Despite scepticism that the appearance was merely a publicity stunt, the legendary pairing was soon regarded as a genuine attraction, if not potential race winners.

Driving a hastily prepared Holden Torana L34, Moss spent time relearning the demands of modern racing, particularly the grip of slick tyres. Brabham qualified the car a respectable 10th. The dream unravelled dramatically at the start. Brabham found the gearbox jammed and was stranded on the grid when a Triumph Dolomite Sprint struck the Torana from behind. It seemed their Bathurst adventure was over before it began. Remarkably, the team repaired the car, and Brabham rejoined the race three hours later. Moss eventually took over and completed 22 laps before the V8 dropped a valve. Despite the disappointment, Moss emerged exhilarated rather than defeated. “I had a ball,” he said, even admitting he might have retired too early. Although Moss never returned to Bathurst, the extraordinary comeback became one of the most memorable moments of the 1976 race.