AUSTRALIA lost a true motorsport icon and an absolute gentleman in the passing of Allan Moffat OBE last weekend.

Mr Moffat passed on Saturday morning following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

The Canadian-born racer was a four-time Bathurst winner and has four Australian Touring Car Championship titles to his name, also serving as a commentator with Network Seven and as a brand ambassador for brands including Ford Australia.

In a post on his Facebook page, Mr Moffat’s family said: “It is with deep sadness that the Moffat family announces the passing of Allan Moffat OBE, who died peacefully at 11:05 this morning, surrounded by his loved ones, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

“Allan Moffat leaves behind an extraordinary legacy, not only as a champion driver, but as a respected mentor, advocate, and friend to many. He will be remembered for his unwavering passion, competitive spirit, and the profound impact he had on motorsport in Australia and around the world.

“The Moffat family asks for privacy during this time as they grieve the loss of their beloved father, grandfather, and friend.”

Allan Moffat OBE

Mr Moffat moved to Australia with his family in the late 1950s before making his motorsport debut just a few years later in a Triumph TR3.

Campaigning in a Ford Cortina Lotus in 1964, he went on to make his Bathurst debut with the factory Ford team in 1969. He raced the legendary Falcon GT-HO to Bathurst victory in 1970 and 1971, finishing first again in 1973 and 1977 in Falcon hardtops.

During the same era, Mr Moffat took the title in the Australian Touring Car Championship (in 1973, 1976, and 1977) and was awarded an Order of the British Empire for his exceptional services to motorsport in 1978.

He took a factory-backed Mazda RX-7 to his fourth ATCC crown in 1983 following Ford’s withdrawal from the series.

Mr Moffat raced in several other motorsport series – including the Australian Sports Sedan Championship and the Australian Endurance Championship – competing in machines from various marques including Chevrolet, Holden, Jaguar, Mazda and Porsche, before returning to Ford in 1988.

Ford Australia president and CEO Andrew Birkic paid the following tribute to Mr Moffat’s contribution to motorsport with a heartfelt message on LinkedIn: “On behalf of everyone at Ford Australia, we want to express our deepest condolences following the passing of Allan Moffat OBE.

“Allan was a superstar of Australian motor racing, and a hero for all fans of the Blue Oval, both here in Australia and overseas.

“He won the legendary Bathurst endurance race four times, all in Falcons, in 1970, 1971, 1973 and the most famous of all, the iconic 1-2 formation finish with Colin Bond in 1977.

“He will be remembered for incredible feats behind the wheel in his fabulous Fords, like the Coca-Cola Mustang Trans-Am, GT-HO Falcons and those thundering hardtops. His driving skills inspired and thrilled generations of racing fans.

“His influence on Australia’s racing scene was immense. He was an icon of Ford Motor Company motor sports and represented the Blue Oval with enduring class.

“Vale, Allan Moffat.”

Mr Moffat retired from the sport in 1990, aged 50, but continued fielding entries in the Bathurst 1000 until 1996.

He became an Australian citizen in 2004, the citation presented by his former rival Peter Brock in a ceremony at the Australian Grand Prix Corporation offices in Melbourne.

In 2019, it was reported that Moffat was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and had been moved into specialist care at a facility in Melbourne.

He became a patron of Dementia Australia, lending his considerable profile to raise awareness of the disease and to support affected families.

The Allan Moffat Foundation continues this important work.

Mr Moffat leaves behind two sons, Andrew and James, the latter having followed in his father’s footsteps to also become a professional racing driver.

Vale Allan Moffat (1939-2025).