Old Programmes, movies and memories from the Fifties, Sixties and Seventies.

[khyndart in CA]

Pukekohe. Jan. 9 th 1965
( I do not have a programme from this event or from 1966, 1967, 1968 due to many factors including; they had been lost, spilt beer damage, gave them away, travelled overseas etc,etc...so if anyone has one and wants to fill in the different event entries etc please feel free. )
After the grand event of the previous year we were anxious to see Bruce McLaren beat the opposition once again. He had Phil Hill for a team mate and their Coopers were trying to be competitive on new 15 inch Firestone tyres which Bruce had to use when the cars had been designed to run on 13 inch tyres. They struggled in the morning heat races when Hill's Cooper went off approaching the hairpin and Bruce was lucky when his car spun, clipped an ambulance and ended in the creek at the esses. For the Grand Prix, Bruce borrowed Phil Hill's Cooper # 48.(His previous year winning car). He started well and was behind Jim Clark as we watched come round the Elbow Corner on lap 2 and I remember the track announcer saying " I see why they call Jimmy Clark the Flying Scotsman " as they went down the back straight and then there was silence as I think Bruce's Cooper had the same problem as Phil had earlier and did not stop as it should have and ran into the back of Jim Clark's Lotus at the entrance to the hairpin. It was such a shame to have the two top drivers out before the race had barely begun. Later my friend and I were standing opposite the pits and just as the photo shows, Colin Chapman was not looking pleased. They had come a long way and wanted to put on a good show for the crowd. Graham Hill took advantage of the situation and drove his Brabham to win the race.






(Photos from the Bruce Sergent collection )




( Ken Hyndman )

[Ross]

Some real history in this thread.
Great to see copies of the old Ardmore and Pukekohe programs.
The race entrants show many of the unsung hero's of our sport who competed in these major events without a chance of placing against the stars.

The following images from an early race meeting at Levin may bring back memories for some readers.
Note the entrants

[Ross]

Looks like the other image didn't,t up load. Second attempt.

[khyndart in CA]

1966 Tasman racing.
This was the first time in almost 10 years that Bruce McLaren did not participate in the NZ season as he was occupied with getting his own team established back in England.
This is a Youtube clip of a mix of races in Australia during the 1966 Tasman series.
Note how the public could get close to the drivers etc.
(I went to the 1999 Canadian F1 race in Montreal and arranged to meet up with Patrick Head etc, only to find out that you could not get within a mile of the pit area !.)
We certainly had it good back in the sixties with the quality of drivers and great atmosphere etc. Little did we realize that it was not to last for much longer.
(Ken Hyndman )

[khyndart in CA]

Just to warn you that this kiwi from Los Olivos is making a quick trip back for a funeral and family gathering tomorrow and staying a few short days.
I might try to find some more old "shoe box" photos etc.
Better put the kettle on Grant, I might come knocking on the door.
Cheers,
Ken

[Grant Sprague]

Hi Ya Ken .... would be great to see you .. just a wee problem , I am heading to South Island for a few days but back in town Sat morn ????????? how would that work ?

[khyndart in CA]

Grant, we go back on Monday the 29th. We must make it happen. I will contact you Saturday. Ok ?

[Grant Sprague]

[Grant Sprague]

I met up with Ken ..today a short fast visit..
both him & I on a mission .. so time a bit limited we had a great time regardless....found a photo of Gary,s escort with MUMBER plate on it , also a photo of Ralf E , JR, FE, and Brian Crosbie together . at Levels .., Ken has the piks & will post when he gets back to USA...... ps Ken really cool to have met you & your beautiful wife ...might catch up in a year or two yr end ...... Grant & Kylie

[khyndart in CA]

Jan 7 1967. NZGP. Pukekohe.
I remember piling into a Mini and heading to Pukekohe with some friends. My sister said we looked like a bunch of monkeys as we sped past her and her policeman husband ! (Whoops !) Anyway we spent most of the day on the infield and remember enjoying the battle for the lead between Jackie Stewart in his BRM P261 and Jim Clark in his Lotus 33. Clark's Lotus came around on the last laps with the nose missing from a collision with a slower car. Good memories. I got in close at the prize giving ceremony with my "Brownie" camera and even though the quality is no good it does show Jackie Stewart with short hair and the winner's trophy and also a casual Jim Clark.




(Ken Hyndman photos )


(Jackie Stewart, winner in BRM P261 )

(Jim Clark, 2nd in NZGP. Lotus 33 )

(Photos from my scrapbook..probably J. Inwood photos)


(Ken Hyndman )

[khyndart in CA]

Pukekohe. Jan. 6 th 1968. NZGP
I was amongst the crowd of 40 thousand that watched without realizing at the time that this was the last time we would see both Jim Clark and Bruce McLaren drive at a NZGP.
Clark drove his Lotus 49 for one of the last times in the original green and yellow Lotus colours before getting sponsorship from Gold Leaf cigarettes company and repainted 2 weeks later for the Lady Wigram race.





( Ken Hyndman..scrapbook )

[Grant Sprague]

Beaut piks Ken don't be shy please keep them coming , I have a photo of Jim some where never seen before I will try & find it & get it up here ..... regards to u both G & K

[khyndart in CA]

Pukekohe. 1968 NZGP.
Towards the end of the GP there was a tremendous crash between Denis Hulme and Laurence Brownlie in their Brabhams. They were both lucky to survive but Laurence suffered serious ankle injuries.
I have had this cutting which is ironic in that it shows Laurence Brownlie waiting beside his Brabham # 20 as Denis Hulme was being presented an award for being the 1967 Formula One World Champion before the start of the NZGP.
Peter Yock's white Lotus -BRM # 10 is being pushed to the start grid also.





(Ken Hyndman scrapbook )

p.s. who is the driver standing behind Brownlee with the brown cap on ?

[Michael Clark]

In the background is the gold BT18 of Roly Levis. Roly had sold the car to a Christchurch car dealer (Tony Shaw) but took over the driving

[Roger Dowding]

Motorsport yearbooks from the 1960's that I have in my collection. must re-read as will answer a few questions.

[Roger Dowding]

A couple more ;

[khyndart in CA]

As you can see Laurence Brownlee had talent even though racing on a limited budget. He qualified ahead of Levis, Lawrence, Faloon etc and a promising future was ruined by the late race crash with Hulme.
p.s. Did I read somewhere that Denis Hulme was not wearing seat belts when this crash happened and he got thrown out on the track ?
Wow..

(Ken Hyndman )

[khyndart in CA]

Tasman racing 1968.
Jim Clark and Chris Amon had wonderful battles on the track in both NZ and Australia in 1968.
Here is a typical scene from the Tasman race at Sandown Park.



(Ken Hyndman..scrapbook.. Autosport )

[khyndart in CA]

Tasman racing 1968.
Here are scenes of the Tasman racing from the Australian races from YouTube.
The last races for the great Jimmy Clark. I can still remember hearing the news of his death in April 1968 on the radio and finding it hard to believe. He was a true champion who could win driving anything.




(Ken Hyndman )

[Grant Sprague]

Tasman racing 1968.
Here are scenes of the Tasman racing from the Australian races from YouTube.
The last races for the great Jimmy Clark. I can still remember hearing the news of his death in April 1968 on the radio and finding it hard to believe. He was a true champion who could win driving anything.




(Ken Hyndman )

I would have to agree Ken , was a gentleman as well...I have watched some footage re his racing career etc....... Roly also told me a lot about him.......I also remember the day Dad came into my bedroom early one morning saying " Grant your mate just got killed" as I use to follow him Ernie had bought me a photographed print of him at Indianapolis also a metal model of his car ..the lotus.