Second-gen Moffat survives mayhem for first title

The Moffat name is synonymous with Mount Panorama. Now, another chapter has been added to the legendary family legacy.

In the most chaotic race of the season, James Moffat survived the biggest scare of all to seal the National Trans Am Series title.

It came despite suffering a mid-race failure that caused him to cede positions hand-over-fist.

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Moffat was forced to the pit lane to remedy the issue but completed the necessary laps to secure victory.

James Moffat celebrates taking victory in the National Trans Am Series.

"Well mate, I knew I had the best team in pit lane and they were going to do anything they could to get me back out," Moffat told Stan Sport's Greg Rust.

"I'm fortunate that they were able to do that. There are so many people to thank. What an amazing crew, GRM.

"I just love every moment of coming to the race track with them. To do something like this is pretty special."

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Moffat's father Allan won a Mount Panorama four times in the Bathurst 1000.

"To do it up here at Bathurst is extra special," the second-generation racer added.

"We'll look back at that one day and be very happy with that. 

"I thought it was all in trouble there. It was under control and then it wasn't and then it wasn't pretty quickly. It was a big scare. 

"Also, I've got to remember my mum. I lost her in February. I hope she's looking down today and proud."

James Moffat snags unlikely National Trans Am Series title

It was chaotic from start to finish, with three separate incidents on the opening laps kicking off proceedings.

Elliott Barbour was an innocent victim on the first lap after copping a whack on the run into turn one.

That came after Zach Loscialpo lost control of his car and clattered into the back of Craig Scutella.

Moments later, and Moffat's main title rival Lochie Dalton was cast wide at Griffins Bend and nose-dived the tyre wall after contact with teammate Edan Thornburrow in a line-ball clash.

Thornburrow found himself in the thick of it again as Cody Gillis tried to go around the outside on the corner exit.

James Moffat in the No.34 Ford Mustang.

With nowhere to go and squeezed up against the wall, Gillis and Thornburrow made heavy contact. 

The safety car was duly drawn to recover that pair while Dalton returned to the pit lane. He dropped to 15th.

On the lap five restart, Moffat led the field to the green but began to blow smoke.

A transmission issue dropped oil all over the track, leaving the trailing pack to duck and dive behind Moffat.

The Bathurst 1000 podium finisher began to haemorrhage positions and was resigned to the pit lane where his team worked desperately to remedy the issue. 

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Lap after lap he lay idle in the pit lane while Dalton began scything through the field. 

Fortunately, the team was able to quickly replace the broken part in Moffat's transmission and he returned to the track. 

The drama continues on lap eight when Robert Noaker spun on his own at the final corner. 

Tim Brook was caught out too, taking to the escape road.

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With oil evidently down on the circuit, Anderson spun into the gravel and narrowly avoided the idle car of Noaker. Mark Crutcher spun on his own too.

The safety car was called for the second time and marked the end of the race as officials called time.

It was a sigh of relief for Moffat, who crossed the line a lowly 14th – but enough to secure the title.

At the head of the field, Tom Hayman took the final race win of the year ahead of Elliott Cleary and Brett Holdsworth. 

Dalton wound up sixth, falling just short of the title victory.

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