Peter was a great guy and a very good driver. The chev looked even more huge when he stood beside is because he was such a little guy. Can't believe it was nearly 40 years ago and it's a little sad for me to see the names and some of the guys I knew quite well. Even the commentators, Evan and Mike, Hopwood, Max Stahl, Cummo and so many others racing here are gone. ( as are the track and many others ) Peter drove everything from lotus elan to formula pacific, big banger can am type sports cars ( with which he won the Australian championship ), Ford Capri touring cars etc etc. Worst part of his career was when his formula pacific Ralt collided with Graham Watson's car at this track and flew into the crowd killing a lady spectator.
I can relate to racing a Impala/Caprice. I raced an 84 Caprice on dirt circle tracks in the pure stock class for a number of years and loved the way it handled, it would almost drive itself. One track that I raced at that after I got the lead all I had to do is let off the throttle for a second and at the same time nudge the steering to the left, back to full throttle and let go of the steering and it would counter steer to the right by itself and then as the track straightened out the steering would come back to center by itself in just enough time to nudge it to the left for the next turn. I could put my left arm up on the window like it was just a summer drive. People thought I was crazy to start with by racing a 4 door grocery getter but after 73 feature wins it became a local legend. Nothing like the Ole # 36.
I was just into my teens in 1983 and I used to love watching the Appendix J races on Channel 7. As it's too long ago for me to remember if it was Peter Hopwood in the Chevrolet Impala that they started to make him start from the rear of the grid or another driver and car. I was only 13 at time and to what i understand from following Motorsport as an adult, there wouldn't of been many Chevrolet Impalas being raced back in the day. There was another chap who raced a big Ford Galaxy, that I've only come across on videos from Sandown raceway. So I'm wondering if anyone can help me with any information on the Chevrolet Impala that was made to start at the back of the grid and drive through the field for the win. Video of it would be wonderful too Thanks in advance Regards Brett Hiscock Brisbane
Back in the day(late 80s/early 90s) in the Los Angeles gang culture, 4 door Impalas were nicknamed DRIVE-BY cars or CARLOAD cars!!! Drive By: 🔫 to the rival hood. Carload: A half a dozen gang bangers in the car! Lol.
Peter was a great guy and a very good driver. The chev looked even more huge when he stood beside is because he was such a little guy. Can't believe it was nearly 40 years ago and it's a little sad for me to see the names and some of the guys I knew quite well. Even the commentators, Evan and Mike, Hopwood, Max Stahl, Cummo and so many others racing here are gone. ( as are the track and many others ) Peter drove everything from lotus elan to formula pacific, big banger can am type sports cars ( with which he won the Australian championship ), Ford Capri touring cars etc etc. Worst part of his career was when his formula pacific Ralt collided with Graham Watson's car at this track and flew into the crowd killing a lady spectator.
Splendid stuff. Thanks for uploading this great content.
7:22 - "He has two rev counters - one for the engine and one for the steering wheel" - LOL!
Yes good words, but he is having fun & good on him, I have a passion for these 50s 60s US wallow wagons..
Really nice racing vid. RIP Peter Hopwood.
I can relate to racing a Impala/Caprice. I raced an 84 Caprice on dirt circle tracks in the pure stock class for a number of years and loved the way it handled, it would almost drive itself. One track that I raced at that after I got the lead all I had to do is let off the throttle for a second and at the same time nudge the steering to the left, back to full throttle and let go of the steering and it would counter steer to the right by itself and then as the track straightened out the steering would come back to center by itself in just enough time to nudge it to the left for the next turn. I could put my left arm up on the window like it was just a summer drive. People thought I was crazy to start with by racing a 4 door grocery getter but after 73 feature wins it became a local legend. Nothing like the Ole # 36.
I was just into my teens in 1983 and I used to love watching the Appendix J races on Channel 7. As it's too long ago for me to remember if it was Peter Hopwood in the Chevrolet Impala that they started to make him start from the rear of the grid or another driver and car. I was only 13 at time and to what i understand from following Motorsport as an adult, there wouldn't of been many Chevrolet Impalas being raced back in the day. There was another chap who raced a big Ford Galaxy, that I've only come across on videos from Sandown raceway.
So I'm wondering if anyone can help me with any information on the Chevrolet Impala that was made to start at the back of the grid and drive through the field for the win. Video of it would be wonderful too
Thanks in advance
Regards
Brett Hiscock
Brisbane
good fun!
Hoppy was the small car expert! Elans, Capris, Chev Impalas, still smaller than O Briens 427 Galaxie.
Another man taken way too young.
Impala 🤘
Badass
Back in the day(late 80s/early 90s) in the Los Angeles gang culture, 4 door Impalas were nicknamed DRIVE-BY cars or CARLOAD cars!!!
Drive By: 🔫 to the rival hood.
Carload: A half a dozen gang bangers in the car! Lol.
lol , peter hopwood reminds me of alan grice
Did the Impala have a 409 under the hood?
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Salut my friend super car super video subscribe subscribe ...
Dinoracer