Harry Firth
Harry Firth, known as the "Old Fox" for his wily tactics,
was a Ford works driver in the mid 60's. He was responsible
for developing the XR Falcon GT in 1967 and won Bathurst
that year with Fred Gibson. Soon after he left to take
up managing the Holden Dealer Team.
In 1969 he introduced
two youngsters into the team, Colin Bond and Peter Brock,
and set about developing a new mid sized race car, the
Torana XU-1. Firth's long distance driving adage was
to nurse the car along by being sympathetic with the
machinery.
Considering his outstanding record in enduro
racing it paid dividends on many occasions. He retired
from the HDT and Motor Sport after the 1977 Great Race.
Year |
Car |
Co
Driver |
Finished |
|
Singer Gazelle |
John Reaburn |
12th |
|
Mercedes 220SE |
Bob Jane |
1st |
|
Ford Falcon XL |
Bob Jane |
1st |
|
Ford Cortina GT |
Bob Jane |
1st |
|
Ford Cortina GT |
John Reaburn |
3rd |
|
Ford Cortina 220 |
John Reaburn |
14th |
|
Mini Cooper S |
Ern Abbott |
6th |
|
Ford Falcon XR GT |
Fred Gibson |
1st |