Just one of the many "Requirements of the time"
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Here is how the Volvo looked prior to the race start. You can see even the windscreen banner is a rush job, as the names are off-centre. But overall a pretty impressive effort to be there at all. When was Francevic drafted in to replace Petch?
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Steve Twist photo
This is the Volvo during the race, and after 'prodding' several other cars out of the way. The lifting bonnet caused most of the problems, and Francevic actually slowed down with a few laps to run after having gotten by Morton, just to reduce the lift.
Not sure how true it was, but I heard a story that while Delcourt was at the wheel, officials noted the lifting bonnet and were planning on black flagging him, but Francevic then stepped in and persuaded them to do otherwise?
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Martin Smith photo
Did the Volvo have an alloy rollcage, or was it just painted silver?
Neat shot here of Johnson in the Falcon. Although he was comfortably pulling away from the field in the early laps, Johnson said he was nursing the car, due to its fragile rear and and weak brakes. Yet this cool shot shows the inside rear wheel clearly off the ground as he swings into the hairpin.
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Martin Smith photo
Petch renewed his licence at Baypark 1986 IIRC driving a Fiat road car with 3 stripes on the back. He then piloted the Volvo at Baypark only to come 2nd to I think Graeme Cameron in a BMW or a Commodore, but don't quote me on the last part. He was knackered with a very sore arm/shoulder. Fitness paid a big part in sending this car around any circuit. IIRC the cage was alloy as per specs at the time.
Thanks Dave, great description.
This is the Volvo doing some cooking in the pits. I assume this is quite early in the race, there aren't any dents in the front yet.
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Martin Smith photo
This is a great shot!
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Martin Smith photo
Brilliant Steve Twist shot here of the Crichton/Wilkinson BMW hurtling through turn 1. This shot really shows well the potential hazards this track possessed.
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This is cool. Just moments after the start, and the field streams through turn 1, chasing Dick Johnson in the Falcon. Boy, those flaggies standing on the concrete wall sure look exposed!
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I assume this photo of Dick Johnson chatting with Bruce Anderson was shot during practice. That said, after the big Ford was struck down with a rear end failure while leading, I think the team might have patched it up so Bruce could run some laps.
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