Full Tilt: A champion's story of Ford, Holden and the defining era of motor-racing

by Colin Bond, John Smailes

Ford versus Holden and beyond, the story of motor-racing's greatest era through the eyes of a champion

'Bond is a true pioneer of our sport. Growing up in a motorsport family I knew the strong rivalry between Holden and Ford. Not many drivers have managed to cross over and be successful. Colin Bond was one of the first drivers to make the change and show it works.' Craig Lowndes, three-time Australian Touring Car Champion

Bathurst winner, Australian Touring Car Champion, and the only man to have won on both sides of racing's most iconic rivalry – Ford versus Holden – this is the high-octane story of motor-racing legend Colin Bond.

From his rallying crowns to his extraordinary Bathurst victory and his Touring Car Championship triumph, to the hugely controversial 1–2 Bathurst win with Allan Moffat in '77, Bond's career spanned the most thrilling decades of Australian motorsport. At the heart of it all was the fierce tribal battle between Ford and Holden – a rivalry Bond knew better than anyone.

Against the backdrop of the golden age of motorsport, Full Tilt is packed with accounts of racing with and against other superstars like Peter Brock and Allan Moffat. It captures the drama, danger and intense competition of the sixties to the nineties, the incredibly engineered Monaros, Toranas, Falcons and Commodores, the dirty tricks, dodgy deals and maverick team managers.

A celebration of speed, skill and the defining era of motor-racing, Full Tilt is essential reading for any lover of the sport. Written with bestselling motorsport journalist John Smailes, this is the incredible story of a life raced at full tilt.

'Colin Bond is one of the all-time greats of Australia's unique Ford vs. Holden battle. I don't recall ever having as much fun when working, and riding, with him.' Edsel Ford II, Chairman of the Henry Ford Estate

PRAISE FOR JOHN SMAILES' BOOKS

'This book is a delight to read. Perhaps, dare we say it, even more enthralling than the races themselves.' Highlife Magazine on Formula One

'you need to read Speed Kings' The Sunday Telegraph on Speed Kings

'In a highly readable style, backed up by copious research and no fewer than 54 interviews, Smailes gives the go-to-whoa story of the Speedway and Antipodean attempts to conquer it.' Financial Review on Speed Kings

'John Smailes, author of the recent Race Across the World (the rip-roaring story of the original London-Sydney Marathon), has applied his talents to covering the entire story of Australia's best known racetrack - Mount Panorama at Bathurst - in 346 pages ... There is a good sense of each era, and plenty of fascinating tales.' Australian Financial Review on Mount Panorama

'A rattling good read' Australian Financial Review on Race Across the World

'Smailes recaptures the excitement of the moment, when each day we learnt of fresh disasters besetting the increasingly weary drivers ... His first-hand account does a fine job in describing the excitement of a race unlikely ever to be repeated.

466 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2025

Reviews

[Saskia W · Rating 5 out of 5]

From reading Full Tilt, I learned how teamwork and trust are fundamental to success in motorsport, no matter how skilled a driver may be. Throughout the book, Colin Bond describes moments in his racing career where his individual ability was not enough to secure him victory or even finish a race. Early on, Bond reflects on how dependent he was on the mechanics, navigators and engineers who worked beside him, admitting that “a driver is only as good as the people who prepare the car beneath him.” This captures the underlying message of his story - that confidence and success on track is shaped by the often unseen efforts of others. When Bond faces setbacks, such as mechanical failures or miscommunications during high-pressure rallies, the team’s response determines whether he has the chance to recover. By openly acknowledging his reliance on them, he develops a deeper respect and trust in their expertise. In turn, this teaches us how trust can become the silent engine powering every achievement, both in racing and elsewhere. Bond’s experiences reveal that what appears to be an individual sport is actually a collective achievement built on communication, honesty and the willingness to depend on others in high stress environments. By revealing the many people behind his achievements, Bond’s story pushes back against the common myth of the “self-made” person, reminding us that almost all forms of excellence are built on shared knowledge, effort and responsibility.

While teamwork forms the base of Bond’s success, the relationships he builds within his team are the ones that elevate him beyond being a driver; they shape his entire career. He frequently describes the bond between driver and navigator, especially in rally events, as something closer to a partnership than a hierarchy. When navigating unpredictable terrain, he relies on precise, calm instructions to avoid disaster. Bond’s willingness to place his safety and success in someone else's hands reflects a broader truth in a world where complex problems require rapid cooperation; trust becomes one of the most important tools for maneuvering around uncertainty. In one tense moment, Bond recalls how his navigator's steady voice prevented him from overcorrecting during a skid, later reflecting that “trust in that moment mattered more than instinct.” These relationships highlight how emotional connection and mutual respect enhance technical skill. Rather than viewing collaboration as something practical or mechanical, Bond treats it as a shared commitment - each person giving their full attention so that the team can succeed as one. By the end of Full Tilt, it becomes clear that Bond’s career was shaped not by individual brilliance but by the collective effort of those who believed in him. Through this story, the authors show that achievement comes not from standing alone on a podium but from standing together, and that the strongest competitors are often those who understand the value of relying on others.

[Paul F · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable read.
While I knew the Colin Bond name, and knew he was a contemporary of Brock & Moffat (who could forget the famous 1977 1-2 Bathurst finish), I didn’t realise the depth of his experience in both racing & rallying.
His ability seems to have been underestimated, perhaps because of his quiet, not in-your-face, manner.

[Geoff Sheehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable book to read. I remember Colin Bond firstly from his win in the mighty Monaro when I was a 7yo. I then grew up watching Bond, Brock & Moffat’s exploits through the Seventies.

It was a wonderful time and I watched as many of the telecasts that I could. Good on you Colin Bond. What a great career.

Well done to John Smailes for the book.

[Mark Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting. Not just on Colin but Australian motorsport generally