Definition
The 1989 Tooheys 1000 was the 30th running of the annual Australian endurance motor race commonly known as the Bathurst 1000. Sponsored by the Australian brewery Tooheys, the event covered a nominal distance of 1,000 kilometres (approximately 161 laps) around the Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales.
Overview
The race took place on 2 October 1989 and formed part of the Australian Touring Car Championship calendar for that year. Competing vehicles adhered to the Group A touring car regulations, which at the time permitted a range of makes and models from manufacturers such as Holden, Ford, Nissan, and Toyota. The event attracted considerable domestic and international attention, with a large spectator crowd and extensive television coverage.
Etymology / Origin
The name “Tooheys 1000” combines the title sponsor, Tooheys—a prominent Australian brewery—with “1000,” denoting the race’s intended length of one thousand kilometres. The sponsorship arrangement began in the early 1980s and continued through several editions of the race, resulting in the event being colloquially referred to by the sponsor’s name during that period.
Characteristics
- Circuit: Mount Panorama, a 6.213 km (3.861 mi) public road circuit configured as a closed racing venue for the event.
- Distance: Approximately 1,000 km, traditionally achieved by completing 161 laps of the circuit.
- Regulations: Group A touring car specifications, which mandated homologated production-based vehicles with defined limits on engine capacity, weight, and modifications.
- Format: A single‑day endurance race in which teams of two drivers alternated stints, with mandatory driver changes and refuelling periods.
- Key Participants: Leading Australian and international teams entered factory‑supported entries from manufacturers such as Holden (e.g., Commodore), Ford (e.g., Sierra RS500), and Nissan (e.g., Skyline).
Accurate information regarding the specific race results, including the winning drivers and vehicle, is not confirmed within the available reliable sources.
Related Topics
- Bathurst 1000 – The overarching name for the endurance race held annually at Mount Panorama.
- Tooheys – Australian brewery that sponsored the event during the 1980s and early 1990s.
- Group A Touring Cars – The set of regulations governing the vehicle specifications for the race during that era.
- Mount Panorama Circuit – The historic racing venue located in Bathurst, New South Wales.
- Australian Touring Car Championship – The national racing series of which the Tooheys 1000 was a component in 1989.