Story courtesy Supercars.com.au

Ford and Holden are the two dominant players in the history books of the Great Race at Mount Panorama, but occasionally other brands have been able to get on top of the traditional local rivals at Bathurst. Between them, the two local giants won every Bathurst 500/1000 from 1967 to 1984 via a range of Falcons, Toranas and Commodores. But that streak ended 40 years ago this year in 1985 as Jaguar’s roaring V12-powered XJ-S conquered the Mountain to claim the first win of the Group A era in the hands of local ace John Goss and German Armin Hahne.

Below Watch: 1985 Bathurst winning Jaguar XJS start up at the Jaguar Car Club of Victoria Concours

For Goss the victory was his second Bathurst 1000 success, however it came after five long years of developing his own XJ-S racer to Group C specifications that ultimately didn’t deliver at Mount Panorama. His locally produced ‘Big Cat’ failed to finish in 1980, 1981 and 1982 and skipped the big race in 1983 before re-appearing in 1984 in its ultimate Group C spec with Scot Tom Walkinshaw arriving in Australia to co-drive. Famously the car stalled on the grid when the lights went out and was hit from behind, triggering a track-blocking, race-stopping, multi-car wreck that prompted a complete restart.

Walkinshaw returned the following year with a vengeance, complete with his own, three-car line-up backed by JRA Australia.

Below Watch: Hardies Heroes pole lap by Tom Walkinshaw in the number 8 JRA TWR Jaguar XJS

The team boss stormed to pole position and dominated the race but the car he shared with Win Percy was delayed by oil system dramas in the latter stages, opening the door for the #10 Goss/Hahne car to take the lead and go on to victory.

Below Watch: Ride with Tom Walkinshaw through the opening laps of the 1985 James Hardie 1000

“We had to deal with all sorts of things, not the least of which was a broken seat, which my crew bolstered up with wooden blocks and tie-downs,” Goss told Motorsport News in 2005 upon the 20th anniversary of the Jaguar win. “The day dragged on, we came up hour by hour and we managed to hang on and win. “It is difficult to say where the win stands among some that I have had. “Winning the Australian Grand Prix was important and was an emotional victory. But after what I went through for five years (with racing Jaguars), I do not think that I can say what it means … I was driving for a works team, in a role of extreme responsibility. I will never forget the celebrations after the race.” Goss was able to carry the car home despite floating within the cockpit due to the broken seat, seeing off the challenge of the chasing BMWs and Commodores.

Below Watch: The first pitstop for the number 10 TWR JRA Jaguar XJS of winner John Goss

Peter Brock’s Mobil Holden held second place in the dying stages but the single row timing chain in his Commodore cried enough with a few laps to run, letting the BMW of Roberto Ravaglia and Johnny Cecotto through to take second place. The recovering Walkinshaw/Percy Jaguar took third, three laps down on the winning XJ-S.

Below Watch: Peter Brock's 1st Pit Stop in the 1985 James Hardie 1000 and soon after the JPS BMW team play in the sand

While Jaguar won the first Group A Bathurst 1000, Ford and Holden went back to their winning ways at the Mountain from 1986 until Nissan claimed its first victory with the GT-R in 1991. Other manufacturers have won the race since, including BMW and Volvo in the Super Touring races, and Chevrolet in the Gen3 era, but it’s safe to say that Gossy’s 1985 Jag will be the only V12 to win the Great Race for a long time to come.

Original story here

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Since its debut in 2017, the Range Rover Velar has carved out its place as one of Land Rover’s most distinctive and design-forward models. Positioned between the Evoque and the Range Rover Sport, it introduced a new era of reductive elegance, blending minimalist styling with cutting-edge technology and trademark Land Rover capability. Celebrated for its striking proportions, refined interior, and balanced performance, the Velar has earned global recognition for design and innovation. In this post, we’ll be sharing reviews and official Land Rover content that highlight why the Velar remains a standout in the luxury SUV segment.

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Since its debut, the Range Rover Evoque has become one of Land Rover’s most recognisable and commercially successful models. The current generation, L551, released in 2018, builds on the original’s breakthrough design with a refined, modern evolution that stays true to its urban-luxury DNA. It has won numerous global design and innovation awards and played a major role in the growth of Land Rover. In this post, we’ll be sharing reviews and official Land Rover content that showcase what makes the Evoque such a standout in the compact luxury SUV class.

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Club Registration Overview

Club or historic registration is a popular and cost-effective option for owners of older vehicles in Australia. Most states and territories offer reduced registration fees and limited-use schemes for eligible classic cars—typically those over 25 or 30 years old. In some cases, buyers can also save hundreds of dollars in stamp duty when registering the vehicle directly into their name under a club permit.

This guide is provided as a general reference only. Eligibility rules, costs and exemptions vary between states and may change. We recommend confirming the current requirements with your local road authority or car club before purchasing or registering a vehicle.

Club Registration Stamp Duty Guide (by State)

Victoria (VIC)

• Stamp Duty: Exempt
• Eligible Vehicles: 25+ years old
• Conditions: Must be registered under the Club Permit Scheme via a VicRoads-approved car club
• Estimated Club Rego Cost: $80–$180 per year (based on 45 or 90-day permit options)

South Australia (SA)

• Stamp Duty: Exempt
• Eligible Vehicles: 30+ years old (Historic, Street Rod or LHD)
• Conditions: Must go directly onto historic registration via a recognised club
• Estimated Club Rego Cost: $110–$130 per year (plus a one-off logbook fee)

Western Australia (WA)

• Stamp Duty: Exempt
• Eligible Vehicles: 25+ years old
• Conditions: Must be registered under the Code 404 scheme through an approved car club
• Estimated Club Rego Cost: $70–$120 per year

Tasmania (TAS)

• Stamp Duty: Exempt
• Eligible Vehicles: 30+ years old
• Conditions: Must be registered as a Special Interest Vehicle via a recognised club
• Estimated Club Rego Cost: Approx. $90–$120 per year

New South Wales (NSW)

• Stamp Duty: Payable
• Eligible Vehicles: 30+ years (Historic) or 25+ years (Classic Modified)
• Conditions: Stamp duty applies at transfer, even if the vehicle goes onto a club rego scheme
• Estimated Club Rego Cost: $50–$80 per year (Historic), higher for Classic Scheme (engineer certification may apply)

Queensland (QLD)

• Stamp Duty: Payable
• Eligible Vehicles: 30+ years old
• Conditions: Stamp duty applies when transferring ownership, even under the Special Interest Vehicle Scheme
• Estimated Club Rego Cost: Approx. $200–$250 per year (heavily discounted from standard rego)

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

• Stamp Duty: Payable
• Eligible Vehicles: 30+ years old
• Conditions: Stamp duty generally applies unless a rare exemption is granted
• Estimated Club Rego Cost: Around $120–$140 per year (plus inspection and logbook costs)

Northern Territory (NT)

• Stamp Duty: Payable
• Eligible Vehicles: 30+ years old
• Conditions: Stamp duty applies unless specific exemptions are available on a case-by-case basis
• Estimated Club Rego Cost: Around $100–$150 per year

Tip for Buyers

To maximise savings, consider registering the vehicle directly into your name on club registration where stamp duty is exempt. Ongoing registration costs under these schemes are usually a fraction of full rego fees—especially in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.

Note: All figures are estimates and may vary based on vehicle type, local fees, and additional levies. Club membership is required and typically costs $40–$100 per year depending on the organisation.

This information is provided as a guide only and may not reflect the most current policies in your state or territory. Always check with your local road authority or club registrar before proceeding.

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