New Zealand Grand Prix

(January 6th)

The opening round of the Tasman Series, the New Zealand Grand Prix at Pukekohe, was won by Amon, driving a works 2.4-litre Ferrari V6. Gardner, in Mildren’s Brabham-Alfa Romeo V8, was second and the only other driver to cover the full 58 laps. Clark’s Lotus-Cosworth V8, which had made fastest practice lap, made the intial running, He was leading Amon by several seconds until on lap 45 the Cosworth engine’s valve gear broke and the engine seized.

Three laps from the end Hulme, driving an ex-Winkehnann Brabham-Cosworth EVA, was involved in a collision with Brownlie’s 1.5-litre Brabham-Ford. Hulme, who was in third place and lapping Brownlie, was thrown from his car and taken to hospital with concussion. Brownlie suffered leg and arm injuries. Both of the new works 2.5-litre B.R.M. V12s had mechanical troubles. In the race Rodriguez drove a V8 car and McLaren a V12, holding fourth and sixth places respectively until both retired.