Colin Bond | Part 1 - Discovering Motorsport and the power of throttle control
About this episode
Colin Bond shares his incredible journey through Australian motorsport, reflecting on his early days, notable achievements, and the evolution of racing in the country. From his childhood in Sydney and competitive soccer to becoming a celebrated driver for iconic teams like Holden and Ford, Bond's story is rich with experiences. He discusses his diverse career, including rallying and hill climbs, and the significance of throttle control. The conversation also touches on his relationships with legendary figures like Peter Brock and Alan Moffat, as well as insights from his new book, 'Full Tilt'.
Growing up on Sydney’s lower North Shore and marrying the girl across the road to learning the mechanical skills that would serve him so well in his career.
Success at club level and how those fundamentals became a cornerstone of his achievements at the highest level.
From Hill Climbs to Round Australia and forging a reputation that meant he was good in just about any discipline.
There are memories of race tracks that are long gone and beating some international stars of the day on the way to wins at Bathurst, the Australian Rally Championship and more.
Recorded on the Monday after an epic Bathurst 1000 Rusty sat in the lounge at the Hall of Famer’s house and the pair just chatted. We don’t get to every car or race but you’ll enjoy the relaxed convo.
The idea of finally getting Colin on Rusty’s Garage came about following the release of his fantastic new book ‘Full Tilt’ written by respected author and broadcaster John Smailes who joined us for a Feature Episode recently too.
Head to Rusty's Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and give us your feedback and let us know who you want to hear from on Rusty's Garage
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Bathurst 1000
"...after a very memorable Bathurst 1000, won by young Kiwi Matt Payne for the first time, and Garth Tander, his sixth win in the great race."
The Bathurst 1000 is a famous car race in Australia that takes place on a special track. It's known for being very challenging and is a big event for car racing fans.
The Bathurst 1000 is an annual endurance race held at the Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, Australia. It is one of the most prestigious events in Australian motorsport, featuring touring cars and attracting significant attention from fans and competitors alike.
Australian touring car championship
"the Australian touring car championship, which later became the supercars we know today."
This is a type of car racing series in Australia where modified everyday cars compete against each other. It has become very popular and is now known as the Supercars Championship.
The Australian Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing series in Australia, which has evolved into the Supercars Championship, featuring modified production cars racing on various circuits.
Ford Falcons
"...le lot more. VWs, Mitsubishi Colts, Ford Escorts, Falcons, Holden Taranas, the Ford Sierra, Alfa Romeo's Po..."
Mitsubishi Colts
"...now today. Sports cars and a whole lot more. VWs, Mitsubishi Colts, Ford Escorts, Falcons, Holden Taranas, the Ford ..."
The Mitsubishi Colt 3 Doors is a small car with three doors that makes it easy to get in and out of. It's a good choice for people who want a simple and affordable car for everyday driving.
The Mitsubishi Colt 3 Doors is a compact hatchback that was popular in various markets, especially in Europe and Asia. Known for its nimble handling and efficient use of space, it appeals to those looking for an affordable and practical vehicle.
Ford Sierra
"the Ford Sierra, Alfa Romeo's Porsche, the list of cars is huge."
The Ford Sierra is a car made by Ford that was popular in Europe and known for its unique shape. It also had a good reputation in racing.
The Ford Sierra is a mid-size car produced by Ford Europe, known for its aerodynamic design and success in motorsport, particularly in touring car racing.
Holden Torana
"Holden Taranas, the Ford Sierra, Alfa Romeo's Porsche, the list of cars is huge."
The Holden Torana is a small car made in Australia that was popular for racing and among car fans. It has a strong motorsport history.
The Holden Torana is a compact car that was produced by Holden in Australia, known for its performance in motorsport and as a popular choice among car enthusiasts.
Ford Escort
"VWs, Mitsubishi Colts, Ford Escorts, Falcons, Holden Taranas, the Ford Sierra..."
The Ford Escort is a small car made by Ford that has been used in many races, especially in rally competitions.
The Ford Escort is a compact car that was produced by Ford and has a rich history in motorsport, especially in rallying and touring car racing.
Toyota Corolla
"...ho and someone will pull me up for not saying the Corolla too, no doubt. We're not going to get to every as..."
The Toyota Corolla is a small car that many people buy because it's dependable and doesn't use much gas. It's been around for a long time, so lots of people know about it and trust it.
The Toyota Corolla is one of the best-selling cars in automotive history, known for its reliability, fuel efficiency, and practicality. It has been a staple in the compact car segment since its introduction in 1966, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious consumers.
Ford Cortina
"...ds straight there, haven't you? You were with the Cortina Car Club. We're celebrating a fantastic new book...."
The Ford Cortina is a car that was made in the UK a long time ago and was loved by many families. It was known for being practical and was even used in some races.
The Ford Cortina was a popular mid-size car produced by Ford in the UK from the 1960s to the 1980s. It is remembered for its affordability and versatility, often used as a family car or for motorsport, and has a strong following among classic car enthusiasts.
MG TC
"...there were MGTCs. There must have been a hundred of them, I think, you know, one Aston Martin and one Healy or something..."
The MG TC is a small, sporty car from Britain that was made a long time ago. It's known for being fun to drive and is loved by car fans.
The MG TC is a classic British sports car produced by MG from 1945 to 1949. It is known for its lightweight design and agile handling, making it popular among enthusiasts.
hairpin turn
"...it was funny, it was a little track that went down around a hill, I suppose, started down. A hairpin was..."
A hairpin turn is a sharp bend in the road that makes you turn almost back on yourself. It's tricky to drive around and often seen in racing.
A hairpin turn is a very tight turn in a road or track, often requiring a significant reduction in speed to navigate safely. These turns are common in racing and can test a driver's skill.
Cooper Climax
"...Braden was there in a race car, you know, in his Cooper Climax, you know, and it was really special in those days..."
The Cooper Climax is a type of race car that was popular in the 1950s. It was known for its unique design and was used in various racing competitions.
The Cooper Climax was a racing car developed by the Cooper Car Company in the 1950s, notable for its innovative design and success in motorsport, particularly in Formula 1 and sports car racing.
Volkswagen
"...they had Volkswagen and all that as well. And so I used to, I used to somehow really get..."
Volkswagen is a car company from Germany that makes many popular cars. They are known for their well-built vehicles and have been around for a long time.
Volkswagen is a German automotive manufacturer known for producing a wide range of vehicles, including the iconic Beetle and Golf. The brand has a reputation for reliability and engineering excellence.
Bug-Eyed Sprite
"How'd you cobble together the money to get the bug-eyed sprite? Because you're a young fella. This would have been quite an outplay."
The Bug-Eyed Sprite is a small, classic sports car from the late 1950s. It's known for its unique look with big round headlights and is loved by car fans for being fun to drive.
The Bug-Eyed Sprite is a classic British sports car produced by Austin Healey from 1958 to 1961. Known for its distinctive round headlights and lightweight design, it became popular among enthusiasts for its fun driving experience.
supercharger
"...it had your judge and supercharger on. That was hopeless, basically. Because it had drip feed oil to lubricate the veins. Okay. And when you're just in traffic and everything goes..."
A supercharger helps an engine produce more power by pushing extra air into it, which lets the engine burn more fuel. This makes the car go faster and perform better.
A supercharger is a device that forces more air into the engine's combustion chamber, allowing for more fuel to be burned and increasing power output. It is typically driven by a belt connected to the engine's crankshaft.
spark plugs
"couple of spark plugs and all this sort of Oh my God. Yeah. So we decided that's got to go, you know."
Spark plugs are small devices in an engine that create a spark to ignite the fuel, helping the car to start and run smoothly.
Spark plugs are essential components in gasoline engines that ignite the air-fuel mixture, enabling the engine to run. They play a crucial role in engine performance and efficiency.
MG car club
"And we, we're then members, we joined the MG car club New South Wales. Yep. And just still strong today."
An MG car club is a group of people who love MG cars. They get together to talk about their cars, go to events, and help each other with car-related issues.
An MG car club is a community of enthusiasts who own and appreciate MG vehicles, often participating in events, shows, and gatherings to share their passion for these classic cars.
hill climbs
"...It's how we approach hill climbs. You know, we were three times New South Wales hill climb champion. And we had the far, we had the outright record on all the hills we ever went..."
Hill climbs are races where cars drive up a hill or mountain on a narrow, twisting road. Drivers try to finish the course as quickly as they can, and it's a test of both speed and skill.
Hill climbs are a type of motorsport where drivers race against the clock on a steep, winding course. The goal is to complete the course in the shortest time possible, often featuring challenging terrain and elevation changes.
uni joints
"...if we wanted to change, you know, put some new uni joints in the back or something like that, we would have to wait till Friday night to get paid..."
Uni joints are parts that help connect different parts of a car's drivetrain. They allow the parts to move at angles without breaking, which is important for smooth driving.
Universal joints, or uni joints, are mechanical devices that allow for the transmission of rotary motion between two shafts that are not in a straight line. They are commonly used in driveshafts to connect the transmission to the wheels.
tyres
"...they got away because they had bigger tyres and better brakes in the..."
Tyres are the round rubber parts that help a car grip the road. Different sizes and types can make a car drive better or worse.
Tyres are the rubber coverings that fit around the wheels of a vehicle, providing traction and stability. The size and type of tyres can significantly affect a car's performance, handling, and safety.
brakes
"...bigger tyres and better brakes in the..."
Brakes are what help a car slow down or stop. They are very important for safety while driving.
Brakes are the components of a vehicle that slow down or stop the car. There are various types of brakes, including disc and drum brakes, and their performance can greatly influence a car's safety and handling.
alternator
"And then we had an alternator problem and we didn't have any spears."
An alternator is a part of the car that helps generate electricity while the engine is running. It keeps the battery charged and powers things like the lights and radio.
An alternator is a crucial component in a vehicle's electrical system, responsible for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy to charge the battery and power the electrical systems when the engine is running.
Ford Capri
"because they were only using Capri diffs, basically,"
The Ford Capri is a sporty-looking car that was popular many years ago. People liked it because it was fun to drive and looked cool.
The Ford Capri is a classic sports coupe that was produced from the late 1960s to the early 1980s, known for its stylish design and performance. It became an icon of the era, appealing to drivers looking for a sporty yet affordable car.
Lincoln Navigators
"And I think at one stage you're one of the local navigators and I think you scared the living"
The Lincoln Navigator is a big, fancy SUV that can carry a lot of people and stuff. It's known for being really comfortable and has lots of nice features inside.
The Lincoln Navigator is a full-size luxury SUV that offers spacious seating, high-end features, and a powerful engine. It is significant for its blend of comfort and capability, making it a popular choice among families and those who need a vehicle for towing or off-road adventures.
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