Australian motorsport has lost one of its true giants, with Allan Moffat OBE passing away peacefully at 11.05 am, surrounded by family after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 86.
In a statement provided by the Moffat family, they described Australia as having “lost one of its sporting legends” and paid tribute to a man who shaped the nation’s motorsport identity for more than five decades. The family also asked for privacy as they grieve their beloved father, grandfather and friend.
Born in Canada, embraced by Australia and immortalised by Ford fans, Moffat was one of the most successful and influential drivers the country has ever produced. His record is carved into the core of touring car history: four Bathurst 1000 wins, four Australian Touring Car Championships and that unforgettable 1977 1–2 formation finish that still ranks as one of the most famous moments in Australian sport.
He was a global competitor long before it was fashionable, racing in Trans-Am, IMSA and international touring car events while building landmark partnerships with Ford and Mazda. Whether he was wringing the neck of a Phase III Falcon, stalking rivals in a Brut 33 XC, or turning the RX-7 into a weapon, Moffat’s persona never changed. He was relentless, meticulous and utterly uncompromising.
His rivalry with Peter Brock defined an era and divided garages and grandstands into red and blue. Moffat never chased popularity, he chased perfection. And in doing so he became the standard by which others measured themselves.
Moffat’s influence extended well beyond results. He professionalised the way teams prepared, operated and carried themselves. He demanded the highest standards because he lived by them. Those who worked alongside him were pushed hard, but they were shaped by him too. The respect he commanded inside the sport was immense.
His contribution was recognised formally with his appointment as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, and later with induction into both the Supercars Hall of Fame and the Australian Sports Hall of Fame. In his later years he used his platform to advocate for dementia awareness as a Patron of Dementia Australia. The Allan Moffat Foundation continues that work, providing support, resources and hope for families living with Alzheimer’s.
Away from the public eye, Moffat’s health battles were handled with dignity and privacy by those closest to him. His appearances grew rarer, but the presence never faded. When Allan Moffat walked into a room, everyone knew.
He leaves behind a legacy that is bigger than statistics and deeper than rivalry. Moffat changed the sport’s expectations of itself. He made Ford fans roar, he made Holden fans bristle, and he made Australian touring car racing sharper than it had ever been.
His loss is profound. His impact is permanent. His legend is secure.
