Before the start of the race the main tactical speculation revolved around the need for four or five fuel stops for the thirsty V8s. The 2.5-litre BMW M3s, who were allowed into the V8 formula for one last year to make up the numbers, planned to stop only three times.

At the start Larry Perkins launched the Commodore from pole position in a flurry of wheelspin and tyre smoke. Mark Skaife made a terrible start from position two, but recovered to take the lead from Perkins at Murray's Corner on lap three.

Glenn Seton spun on lap six at Hell Corner when his rear brakes locked, and Dick Johnson spun on lap 12 while trying to dive under the Wayne Gardner Commodore at Forrest's Elbow. Johnson rejoined in 19th place after stopping for tyres.

It was not a good start for the Ford Falcons. The Radisich/McConville car was doing the best, running in third place until lap 52 when McConville spun going over Skyline. He thumped the wall hard with the driver's-side rear guard and hobbled back to the pits to have the damage taped up.

The BMWs started misfiring around this time, the team blaming the CAMS rev-limiters for their electrical troubles. The Longhurst/Soper car did best of them, running in sixth place until lap 78 when it pitted in a huge cloud of smoke. The rev-limiter was blamed again.

The Brock/Cleland Commodore broke a tail shaft at full speed on Conrod Straight. The cabin was full of flying shrapnel but fortunately, John Cleland was not injured. The Crompton/Gibbs GIO car also lost a tail shaft bearing but both cars were repaired and rejoined some laps down.

On lap 96 Johnson's Falcon came up behind the Commodore driven by Bill O'Brien who went so far off the racing line to get out of the way that he lost control in the marbles.

Johnson chose the wrong side to pass him and both cars hit the wall hard, the Falcon being totally destroyed. The incident sparked a debate about 'once a year drivers having international licences which kept the media busy for weeks.

Rain began falling on lap 124 but Perkins still chose slicks at his final pit stop. Fred Gibson experimented with wets on the second Winfield car driven by Olofsson. They proved to be the wrong choice however, blistering after a few laps.

Richards pitted on lap 146 with a 10 second lead. The tyres on the car were considered okay so it was only refuelling which delayed him for about 20 seconds. When he rejoined the fight he was 16 seconds behind with 13 laps to go. It looked like being a photo finish.

As Richards came up behind John Lusty in Hell Corner, Lusty spun and Richards was forced up the escape road. By the time he recovered Perkins was 26 seconds ahead, which was whittled down to 11 seconds before the chequered flag came out.

Wayne Gardner and Brad Jones brought their HRT Commodore home in third place, while Peter Doulman and John Cotter cruised home to win the 2-litre class.