Photos: The Ian Peak Collection - Part 2

[Steve Holmes]

Carrying on from where we left off a couple of weeks ago with the Ian Peak Collection, Part 1, this is Part 2. Boy, these photos really get me excited, they're so full of colour, and so beautifully demonstrate this amazing period in history.

Again, these photos centre around Teretonga, the worlds most southern race track at the bottom of New Zealands South Island. The years shown here are 1967, 1969, and, if I have some space left at the end, a bit of a random assortment. The photos centre around the Teretonga round of the Tasman Series, and in particular, the international stars. But there is plenty here of interest for everyone.

I hope you all enjoy these as much as I have. Thanks again to Mark Quertier for organising these photos to be shared here.

[Steve Holmes]

This looks to be either the beginning of qualifying, or just prior to the race during the 1967 Tasman Series event. My guess would be this is just prior to the race, because front row starters Jim Clark, Richard Attwood, and Denny Hulme are all pictured here. Clark and Attwood finished first and second.

[Steve Holmes]

Two more from the 1967 event, and again Clark and Attwood are pictured.

[Terry Marshall]

That top shot is Piers Courage Steve.

[Steve Holmes]

Moving on now to the 1969 Tasman Series race, and what a contrast this photo is! At the foreground are the best drivers attacking in the latest and most high tech race cars in the world. And in the background is this wonderful shanty town of make-shift grandstands assembled by the local enthusiasts.

Here Graham Hill leads eventual race winner Piers Courage and team mates Chris Amon and Derek Bell.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks TM, yes you're absolutely right.

[Steve Holmes]

Hopefully I've got this right, someone will correct me if not. Roly Levis at the front, from Hill, Graeme Lawrence, and Bert Hawthorne?

[GD66]

Hopefully I've got this right, someone will correct me if not. Roly Levis at the front, from Hill, Graeme Lawrence, and Bert Hawthorne ?

Yep, #43 is Bert Hawthorne.

[Steve Holmes]

Yep, #43 is Bert Hawthorne.

Thanks for confirming that.

[jim short]

What is the first car No 52 I know I should but?/

[Steve Holmes]

Amon and Courage.

[Steve Holmes]

OK, this appears to be Graham McRae in his self-built McRea Twin-cam leading here. In behind I'm guessing is Allan McCully, followed by Hawthorne.

[Steve Holmes]

Mid-field gaggle, with Frank Radisich in the Lotus22/HCM leading Wayne Murdoch, John Nicholson (I think?), Ken Smith, and Barry Keen in the Begg Twin-cam.

[John McKechnie]

In pic3, whose yellow car are people resting against - is it Uncle Jacks Yellow Sub?

[Steve Holmes]

Well spotted John, yep it could well be, this photo is from the 1967 season.

[Steve Holmes]

What a work of art! Alec Mildren's amazing 2.5 litre Alfa V8 in the back of his own car, driven by Frank Gardner.

[Steve Holmes]

Red Dawson's Brabham. Note short sleeves!

[Steve Holmes]

I really love this photo. It demonstrates so well the enthusiasm those in the deep south of New Zealand have for their motor racing. Look REALLY closely at the middle of the pic. Among the huge crowd there is a flat deck truck (or trailer), on which is Courage's Brabham, along with the first three drivers home, Courage, Hill, Amon. I suspect the fourth driver could be Roly Levis, as first Kiwi resident home?

[Steve Holmes]

Team mates Jochen Rindt and Graham Hill. Rindt was brought in as the eventual replacement for Jim Clark at Team Lotus, who'd perished back in April 1968. Rindt himself would lose his life in practice for the Italian GP in 1970. When Chris Amon is asked if he felt unlucky to have never won a Formula 1 race, when coming so close on so many occasions, he rightly points out that he was in fact one of the lucky ones, to have survived such a deadly era.

[Jizim]

Team mates Jochen Rindt and Graham Hill. Rindt was brought in as the eventual replacement for Jim Clark at Team Lotus, who'd perished back in April 1968. Rindt himself would lose his life in practice for the Italian GP in 1970. When Chris Amon is asked if he felt unlucky to have never won a Formula 1 race, when coming so close on so many occasions, he rightly points out that he was in fact one of the lucky ones, to have survived such a deadly era.

I was at this race meeting. I recall seeing Rindt's car in a workshop front window as was a few of the other GP cars in Invercargill. I was working at Bluff for 6 months at the time...was so enthralled by their high wings of that era. Was such a priviledge to actually see these things in real flesh. Oh and that Mk 1 Consul was actually quite away back from the track on a little "side road" access point. Photo has created an optical illusion a bit I think......great pictures thanks. Kind regards, Tony Rutherford.