Vale Alan Hamilton

In March we sadly noted the passing of PIARC Member and inaugural joint PIARC John Lanyon Competitor of the Year Alan Hamilton. To his family we pass on our sincere condolences.

Alan was one of life’s High Achievers in both Motor Sport and business and to boot was a nice bloke.

Not only a success in his business of Porsche Distributors Australia for many years, but he was also a winner in Hillclimb’s, Sports Cars, Formula 5000, Touring Cars both as a Driver, Patron, and Sponsor to many achieving National Titles, and outstanding results.

Alan had success as early as 1964 in Hillclimb’s, winning the 1966 Australian Hillclimb Championship in his Porsche 906, and following up with further Championships in 1971, 1981 and 1989, plus other Hillclimb results.

In the first ATCC series in 1969 Hamilton lost the Championship on a count back to Geoghan’s Mustang in his Porsche 911 T/S. In 1971 he began racing in F5000 and was third in the Gold Star in his McLaren M10b and continued driving these monsters until 1978 when he had an accident at Sandown AGP in his ex VDS Lola T430. This effectively ending his driving career.

Prior to this time Alan had numerous placings including winning the 1977 Australian Sports Car Championship in the Porsche 930 Turbo, (after running 2^nd in 1976). It was a big year all round with a second at Bathurst with Colin Bond, behind Moffat.

1980 saw Alan move into the next phase of his Career as both Patron and Sponsor, having retired from driving. This phase enhancing the reputation for success even further in the coming years. From 1980 to 1984 as Patron and Sponsor to Alf Costanzo leading to 4 Gold Stars on the trot in both F5000s, Lolas and McLaren M26 and then Formula Pacific Tiga’s.

In 1982 Alan had purchased a Porsche 935 GT Car for Alan Jones, and a Porsche 944 Turbo for Colin Bond running both in the Australian GT Championship, Jones winning that title.

During this period PIARC began recognising the achievements of our members and one of those awards was in 1981 the Inaugural John Lanyon PIARC Competitor of the year.

PIARC saw fit to recognise the Team of Alan Hamilton as the Patron / Entrant and Alf Costanzo as the Driver for their efforts as PIARC members in 1981, bringing great honour to the club .

Whilst Alan Hamilton has now passed, his contribution to the club and motorsport lives on and we will acknowledge this at the PIARC Annual COTY Dinner on September 5^th, 2025.

On behalf of PIARC Board and Members

Geoff Bull