Remembering Gregg Hansford

PVDA · 4 Mar 2015, 21:52 (Ref:3511813)

Hard to believe it was 20 years ago today we lost former 2 wheel champ turned Touring Car racer Greg Hansford in a collision between turns 1 & 2 at Phillip Island during a 2 Litre Touring Car race.

chavez · 4 Mar 2015, 22:41 (Ref:3511831)

It was the first race meeting I took my now wife to.

When leaving she asked if someone always die at the races.

Thankfully fatalities are rare, but that doesn't help with the sadness felt on that day.

db120176 · 5 Mar 2015, 01:33 (Ref:3511869)

Did it ever come out why he left DJR after one season? I know it wasn't a perfect season, but still

**GTRMagic** · 5 Mar 2015, 01:36 (Ref:3511870)

Quote:

Originally Posted by PVDA

Hard to believe it was 20 years ago today we lost former 2 wheel champ turned Touring Car racer Greg Hansford in a collision between turns 1 & 2 at Phillip Island during a 2 Litre Touring Car race.

A sad day PVDA...

Wrighty05 · 5 Mar 2015, 02:00 (Ref:3511873)

Quote:

Originally Posted by db120176

Did it ever come out why he left DJR after one season? I know it wasn't a perfect season, but still

Didn't they flick him? And I think I remember reading that the first Gregg knew about it was when he read it in the paper

Kingair · 5 Mar 2015, 06:04 (Ref:3511910)

Always a sad day for the motorsport fan when we lose a competitor or official in a motorsport accident.

fomoco · 5 Mar 2015, 08:48 (Ref:3511948)

Loved him bikes, and then in cars, a sad day , when Greg left us.
A forerunner to Doohan, Gardener and Co , RIP Greg
Gregg Hansford is the only person to win Bathurst on four and two wheels.

Lean Mean and Green , Kawasaki

anthony81901 · 6 Mar 2015, 06:43 (Ref:3512346)

Quote:

Originally Posted by db120176

Did it ever come out why he left DJR after one season? I know it wasn't a perfect season, but still

Dick said in his autobiography that it was Shell's decision...but then he wasn't likely to say 'I decided to flick him'. Think he may have been a sacrificial lamb for what had been a season plagued by the fragility of the pre RS500 spec Sierra.

Henry · 6 Mar 2015, 09:05 (Ref:3512373)

Quote:

Originally Posted by anthony81901

Dick said in his autobiography that it was Shell's decision...but then he wasn't likely to say 'I decided to flick him'. Think he may have been a sacrificial lamb for what had been a season plagued by the fragility of the pre RS500 spec Sierra.

Dick's generally been one to give a reasonable approximation of how stuff is - he made no bones about letting Neal Lowe go, but he has expressed regret in a number of media about the circumstances of Gregg's departure from DJR. I don't think DJR lost out with Bowe's recruitment. I don't think that Gregg received real opportunities to showcase his talent on four wheels either: certainly, the Mondeo drive was, if I remember correctly, a step designed to carry him to the fore of the developing 2L scene, off the back of a successful association with Larry Perkins... sadly, it didn't come to fruition.

That day was a real shock.

Umai Naa · 6 Mar 2015, 10:19 (Ref:3512399)

1995 could've been his year. The cars were quick enough, and he was more than capable.

Shame he never got the chance to.

Henry · 6 Mar 2015, 10:37 (Ref:3512405)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Umai Naa

1995 could've been his year. The cars were quick enough, and he was more than capable.

There was definitely the feeling at the time that 1995 was to be an exciting year with regards to the 2 litre series, and certainly Hansford's chances of featuring prominently.

one five five · 6 Mar 2015, 10:49 (Ref:3512410)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henry

There was definitely the feeling at the time that 1995 was to be an exciting year with regards to the 2 litre series, and certainly Hansford's chances of featuring prominently.

Jim won races in the Mondeo at the end of the year, and when Mr Allam drove the Mondeo during the season he was not disgraced despite the "fly-in, fly-out to England" nature of his drives on unfamiliar tracks, so Gregg was destined for a season at the front of the grid.

Sadly missed

Average Punter · 6 Mar 2015, 19:14 (Ref:3512559)

Quote:

Originally Posted by db120176

Did it ever come out why he left DJR after one season? I know it wasn't a perfect season, but still

Was it just one season?

I seem to remember the Hansford name across the top of a Mustang windscreen on the mountain one year?

Perhaps 1986 as it must have been the year before Dick/Gregg's disastrous 1987 Bathurst.

anthony81901 · 6 Mar 2015, 20:49 (Ref:3512573)

Co-drove at Sandown & Bathurst in 86, then joined the team full-time in 87 when it expanded to 2 cars.

GROUPA · 6 Mar 2015, 22:17 (Ref:3512595)

Got to feel for Mark Adderton as well

I was at the track that day to in my E21 323i spectating with other mates not far from the accident we saw the aftermath

DAVID PATERSON · 11 Mar 2015, 23:36 (Ref:3514327)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wrighty05

Didn't they flick him? And I think I remember reading that the first Gregg knew about it was when he read it in the paper

I heard the same thing. Gregg was stunned to find out from the media, not DJR that he wasn't being retained.

I too remember the buzz at the start of ASTC season '95. Ross Palmer's Mondeo team looked competitive and it was Gregg's time to shine. Sadly, he never got the chance.

Airhead · 27 Mar 2015, 11:30 (Ref:3520277)

Twenty Years, a real loss for Australian motorsport and an absolute tragedy for his family. I am reading Graeme Crosby's entertaining account of his career and Greg features prominently.

Rest In Peace Greg.

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