The biggest line-up of internationals yet, a record-shattering race time, and the first controlled one-two victory marked the 1977 Hardie Ferodo.

It was a great day for Ford fans as they watched Allan Moffat and Colin Bond link up in the closing stages to cross the line one-two in a race record 6 hours 59 mins 8.7 secs, breaking the seven-hour barrier.

The ’77 Hardie drew a host of internationals. Americans Johnny Rutherford and Janet Guthrie, England’s John Fitzpatrick and Derek Bell, Jacky Ickx and Henri Pescarolo were just a few of the top names. In all 20 internationals made it to the line.

Practice brought surprises when ‘privateer’ Peter Brock, running for Bill Patterson, stole pole position with a record-shattering 2 mins 24.1 secs lap. This put him ahead of Bond (2.23.2) and Moffat (2.25.6), with Holden Dealer Team lead driver John Harvey way back in eighth spot on 2 mins 26.8 secs.

But there were eligibility problems concerning the Falcons which had air scoops and other fittings knocked back at scrutineering, and the 2-litre Dolomites, three of which were finally scratched.

The race started in perfect conditions with the Toranas of Brock and Allan Grice taking the early lead.

But it only took a handful of laps for Moffat and Bond to take over. Moffat hit the lead on lap three and took control. He and Bond set a blistering pace, and their rivals could not stay with them.

The attrition rate was high. Only nine of the original 27 big cars finished, while only 23 of the original starters were listed as official finishers.

Even Moffat had a ‘moment’ in the closing stages when his Falcon apparently suffered problems with the offside front brakes. But he and Bond were far enough ahead to execute their historic formation finish.

The others had their chances, but failed for a variety of reasons, and it was left to Melbourne’s playboy racer Peter Janson to uphold the Torana flag. Teaming with Larry Perkins, Janson drove the race of his life for a well-deserved third.

Brock was probably the unlucky driver of the race. He lost five laps when his car became jammed, gearless, on the mountain yet he still managed to finish fourth.

The Bob Jane/Ian Geohegan car crashed when a front tyre blew. Bob Morris had a series of pit stops before being sidelined. Rutherford/Guthrie never looked competitive, Rutherford being involved in an early crash before mechanical problems put him out.

Allan Grice went out a few laps before the end while the only competitive Falcon — apart from the winning duo — appeared to be the one driven by the father/son Brabham combination.

The under 3-litre class again went to Barry Seton (Capri) while Britian’s Derek Bell took the 2-litre class in an Alfa.