The Start of the Group A Era
For Bathurst 1984 both Group C and Group A ran together in a “transition” period. Ray chose to make the move to the new Group A formula along with Colin Bond in the former Group E "Network Alfa" car.
Up until 1984 the car had been remarkably standard, however for 1984 more time and a more serious commitment saw the team strip the car, take out a lot of weight where allowed to get close to the weight limit, and completely rebuild the car at Gulson’s Canberra Alfa dealership.
Unlike the Bond car which ran essentially a Autodelta Group A “kit”, the Gulson car was essentially a local effort with a lot of help from Gulson’s USA contacts and a little help from Alfa.
The major difference between the two cars suspension was the lack of the works torsion bars (these would come later). The suspension however did have the Autodelta lower control arms, but with locally made springs and Spax shocks.
The engine was freshly re-built by regular engine man Chris Hedges in Canberra with a modified, highly tuned version of the standard injection system, more heavily modified heads and camshafts, and high compression pistons.
The brakes were locally prepared top competition Girlock ventilated discs and Lockheed callipers front and rear.
Ray was joined by Grant O’Donnell as co-driver. Grant also drove with Ray at the New Zealand races in early 1985.
Ray qualified with a 2:37.
The car finished 5th outright in the new Group A category, completing 131 laps.
Above: Coming down the mountain at Bathurst
Above: Lifting 2 wheels through the dipper
Above: Lifting a wheel through Murrays in front of the DJR Falcon, check the body roll.
Above: You can see the car just this side of the Camaro and next to the Bond Network Alfa car, after the 1984 start line pile up. Note also the Nelson Mustang on the left.
