Crowd favourites Ford Falcon XD drivers Dick Johnson and John French were declared winners of the James Hardie 1000 race at Bathurst on Sunday, October 4, following a high speed pile-up involving many of the leading contenders.
The race was stopped on the 121st lap, well short of the usual 163 laps that make up the 1000km. The track was completely blocked by a six-car pile-up and the organisers had no choice but to declare the race over, following the completion of more than two thirds distance. It was the first time the race has been cut short in its long history. Second placed Falcon XD of Sydney driver Bob Morris/John Fitzpatrick. Allan Moffat/Derek Bell were lying third in the works Mazda RX7 at that stage, but were one lap down.