The 1997 Bathurst 1000 (Primus 1000 Classic) was staged at the world renowned Mount Panorama Circuit just outside of Bathurst in New South Wales on Sunday October 19, 1997.
It was the inaugural “1000 Classic” race, created in response to the desire of V8 Supercar organisers AVESCO (Australian Vee Eight Supercar Company) to compete at the popular Mount Panorama Circuit outside of the traditional Bathurst 1000 event, as AVESCO were in conflict with the Bathurst 1000 organisers, the ARDC (Australian Racing Drivers’ Club). While many attempts were made to broker peace between the two bodies, there was a fundamental chasm over the issue of television coverage with AVESCO holding a series contract with Network Ten and the ARDC holding a contract with the Seven Network. The impasse was solved when Bathurst City Council negotiated a deal with AVESCO for a separate race, to be held two weeks after the 1997 AMP Bathurst 1000, which subsequently went ahead with a field of Australian and British Super Touring cars.
The John Faulkner/Win Percy #46 Holden VS Commodore, representing John Faulkner Racing, started the weekend off well, qualifying for the Top Ten Shootout and subsequently positioning themselves in 8th position on the grid for the Great Race with a lap time of 2:11.4114
Throughout the ebbs and flows of the almost 6 and a half hour race on Sunday, Faulkner and Percy drove a steady and consistent race ultimately finishing in a very respectable 5th place overall, completing 154 of the 161 race laps.
The eventual race winners were Larry Perkins and Russell Ingall in a Holden VS Commodore, followed by Steven Richards and Jim Richards also in a Holden VS Commodore and to roundout the podium was Mark Larkham and Andrew Miedecke in a Ford EL Falcon.
Holden VS Commodores dominated the 1997 Bathurst 1000, occupying 12 of the top 15 overall placings.
