'Tremendously sad day': Supercars Hall of Famer Allan Moffat dies following Alzheimer's battle
Updated . First published at
Supercars Hall of Famer Allan Moffat has died at 86 on Saturday morning, following a battle with Alzheimer's disease.
Moffat was one of the key figures in Australian motorsport, winning four Australian Touring Car Championships (1973, 1976, 1977, 1983) and the Great Race in Bathurst four times in 1970, 1971, 1973 and 1977.
He was inducted into the Supercars Hall of Fame in 1999, the Australian Motor Sport Hall of Fame in 2016, and the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2018.
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Supercars legend Allan Moffat has died at the age of 86, following a battle with Alzheimer's disease. Supplied
Supercars will honour Moffat at the upcoming Adelaide grand final.
"On behalf of the entire Supercars community, we want to express our deepest condolences following the passing of Allan Moffat OBE - one of the true giants of Australian motorsport," Supercars chief executive James Warburton said.
"Allan was a pioneer, a champion and an icon whose impact on our sport is impossible to measure. His record speaks for itself: four Australian Touring Car Championships, four Bathurst victories, six Sandown wins, and more than three decades of extraordinary achievement across Australia and around the world.
"He was a dominant force during one of the most competitive eras in touring car racing, and his legendary rivalry - and friendship - with Peter Brock defined a generation.
"But Allan's legacy reaches far beyond the racetrack. He brought a new level of professionalism to the sport, transforming the role of sponsorship and team management in ways that shaped the modern era of Supercars.
"His influence can still be felt in the paddock today.
"Today, we remember Allan not only for his remarkable career, but for the passion, spirit and determination he carried into everything he did. He inspired generations of drivers, engineers, teams and fans, and his place in Australian sporting history is everlasting."
Allan Moffat and Peter Brock were fierce rivals on the track, yet good friends away from it. Fairfax Media
The icon retired from professional racing in 1989 at 50 years old, following victory in the Fuji 500, but continued fielding entries in the Bathurst 1000 until 1996.
He featured as a commentator with Seven during the V8 era in the 1990s, and worked as an ambassador for brands including Ford, with whom he raced for.
Moffat leaves behind two sons, James and Andrew, with James having followed in his father's footsteps to become a professional racing car driver.
In a statement, the Moffat family added: "Australia has lost one of its sporting legends today with the passing of Allan Moffat OBE".
"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 was not only one of Australia's most successful and admired motor racing drivers, but a towering figure whose influence shaped the nation's motorsport identity for more than five decades. Revered for his skill, tenacity, and exceptional professionalism, Moffat's legacy is etched into Australian sporting history.
"[He] leaves behind an extraordinary legacy, not only as a champion driver, but as a respected mentor, advocate, and friend to many.
Allan Moffat was a proud ambassador and iconic figure for Ford. Drive
"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."
He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his contribution to sport and was also honoured in the Supercars Hall of Fame and the Australian Sports Hall of Fame.
Moffat was also candid about his long struggle with Alzheimer's and dedicated himself to advocacy work, regularly platforming Dementia Australia, and in his honour, the Allan Moffat Foundation continues this legacy.
