Mmmmm, V8 Studebakers. Ah yes, i remember them well.
I seem to recall that the Studebakers would have done even better but for the serious brake fade problem that all the drum brake cars suffered, particularly at the end of that long, unhindered downhill straight so lovingly refered to as "conrod"

I still credit this event, in this "stock" vehicle form, with the early adoption by Australian carmakers of Disc brakes, radial tyres, & halfway decent suspensions, along with a host of other important improvements.
Bodies that flatened during a rollover were not good for sales either [Vaxhaul Viva] so this too was addressed by carmakers.

The benefit to the ordinary motorist that can be directly attributed to this annual event is hard to fully describe or measure, but was truly significant, so of course they scrapped the whole thing & substituted whatever they run now.
I still mourn the loss of this event.