Carol Smith:
I had known Allan for many years and then someone sent him my book. That's when he contacted me and asked me if I would run the Team. Previously I had been here with Matich and I also thought it would be good for my family.
Chequered Flag:
What is your opinion of Matich and why didn't that venture achieve greater international success?
Carol Smith:
Matich was one of the best drivers I ever worked with. The Matich car was superb, the Repco engine programme was excellent and the engineering standard was superb - it was all good enough to ensure international success but we had a people problem, a conflict of interests that I could not overcome and that ultimately led to the disbandonment of the team.
Chequered Flag:
What is your opinion of F5000 racing in Australia?
Carol Smith:
I think that Australia is too small to support F5000 and will have to go to Formula Atlantic eventually.
Chequered Flag:
Don't you feel Australians will become more aware of the finer points of this class and go away from Sedans.
Carol Smith:
Well support for open wheelers was at its peak in the '60's when top internationals came out for the Tasman but even that is defunct now. Touring car racing is so popular because it has the support of the two big manufacturers and this sort of support is vital to the success of any class. Only the cigarette companies can afford to support cars to the same extent.
Chequered Flag:
What has been your biggest contribution to the team?
Carol Smith: Confidence. I have given the drivers confidence in their cars. Confidence in the fact that any problems they have with the cars will be fixed regardless. The car is just a tool and it determines the end quality of the job, like in any other trade. The cars I prepare can always race at qualifying speed - unlike some of our competitors'.
Chequered Flag:
What was the biggest problem when you arrived?
Carol Smith:
It was time. I walked into an empty workshop and had to prepare two cars that wouldn't break and would handle. I also had to get a crew together. The ones I selected were young and had never seen a motor race. They're now the best team I've ever worked with.
Fortunately I didn't have to worry about the drivers - they're the best two in the country.
Chequered Flag:
Moffat is reported to be a very difficult person to deal with, how did you handle him?
Carol Smith:
We occasionally had a "frank discussion" from which neither of us would back down. But generally things went very, very smoothly - I ignored his temper tantrums and he ignored my slow plodding.
Chequered Flag:
Has the team had good support from the Factory?
Carol Smith:
We have had fantastic support from Ford Engineering in Geelong and I'll miss that when I go back home. It's ten times better than any factory support I have had before.
Chequered Flag:
Was Bond under instructions to block the competition while Moffat went on to win?
Carol Smith:
The drivers had identical cars and first into the first corner was the number one driver. We never planned on Moffat winning so many.
Chequered Flag:
The team has had a great year has it meant financial security for Moffat?
Carol Smith:
We never discuss money but I think Moffat would spend the money on making his car more competitive rather than putting it in the bank. He would certainly be earning a lot more overseas.
Chequered Flag:
Do you think Moffat has the ability to compete successfully overseas?
Carol Smith:
Yes. I don't know why he doesn't.
Chequered Flag:
Do you think our touring car racing is of world standard?
Carol Smith:
Australia's touring car racing could well be leading the world - it's the only place where Ford & G.M. are in direct competition.
Chequered Flag:
If you like Australia so much and you are so successful why are you going home?
Carol Smith:
My wife, who has a Doctorate, could only get a 12 month leave of absence from lecturing so we'll go back and I'll run someone else's team. I've had several offers but I won't make up my mind until I get home. I don't really mind where I am as long as it's with racing people. It's the men that make racing.
Chequered Flag:
Who will replace you on the team?
Carol Smith:
We haven't discussed that, I don't know.
Chequered Flag:
Will the Team be as successful next year without your guidance?
Carol Smith:
It really depends on the budget. We have done all the easy things, there is more to come but it is very expensive development. The Falcons are much easier to drive than the Torana's and they have that in their favour.