The McLaren Cooper-Climaxes were beautifully turned out and the whole equipe, including the special trailers for transport, showed New Zealand how a racing team should look.
Mayer, taller than team leader Mclaren, found his Cooper-Climax rather uncomfortable to drive until cockpit modifications were made later in series.
Frank Matich's lap record pace at Pukekohe proved too much for the engine or the Repco-Brabham-Climax, It split.
In vogue with the topless fashion; the gearboxes and final drives of the Repco-Brabham Tasman Formula cars were revealed for all to see.
Jack Brabham had to manage with a 2.5 Coventry-Climax sports-car engine at Pukekohe, but for Wigram he had this potent Repco-developed twin ignition unit which his team mate Hulme also used at Teretonga Park.
Not an inch of space was wasted in the McLaren teams Tasman Formula Cooper-Climaxes. Normal Cooper practice of using a top wishbone in the rear suspension was abandoned in favour of a top link and radius arm.
The Formula Junior type cars, such as Andrew Buchanans 1.6Ltr Brabham-Ford, seen leading a couple of 2.5s at Levin, were really not competitive in the international series.
Deni Hulme ran away with the Vic Hudson Memorial race at Levin in record time after a magnificent drive in his Repco-Brabham-Climax.
Mayers Tasman Formula Cooper gave spectators a better view of the pilotsthan has been the case with most racing cars of recent vintage.
After a drag race start American Timmy Mayer led the Levin field for a time but after 8 laps had to give way to Denis Hulme.
Aucklands popular Bruce McLaren tops a rise on his way to victory at Pukekohe.
Sydney driver Frank Matich shows his class at Pukekohe by leading the Mayer Cooper-Climax through the Elbow, pursued by Denis Hulme in the sister Tasman Formula Brabham-Climax.
Jim Palmer put up a good show with the ex-Hyslop Cooper-Climax and was first resident New Zealander to finish.
Wearing his most determined expression, Jack Brabham takes the wag out of the tail of his erring Repco-Brabham-Climax.
Mayer tackles the Elbow. this was the view most Grand Prix drivers had of the Tasman Formula Cooper-Climaxes.
Watched by brother Teddy Mayer, Timmy warms up his Copper-Climax.
McLarens slim Cooper-Climax was the meat in the sandwich of Repco-Brabhams driven by team leader Brabham and assistant Hulme in the most tense race yet seen at Wigram.
It was a neck and neck affair at Wigram between two old adversaries. Here McLaren holds a tenuos lead over brabham.
Tony Shellys Lotus-Climax just shaded Jim Palmers Cooper-Climax off the mark for the start of the 1964 Lady Wigram Trophy race, Palmer finished by beating Shelly into 5th place.
Chris Amons poor handling Lola-Climax gave him some bad moments, such as this one when he had to apply the spoppers in a hurry.
Airborne in the loop, a new section of Wigram track that brabham did not like at all and which probably cost him the race.
Weak throttle return-springs gave the Tasman Formula Cooper-Climax drivers trouble in the loop. Here Timmy Mayer revolves in a cloud of smoke.
Even the course marshalls were worn out by the time the race was over.
National champion Jim palmer, his mechanic Bill Hannah, and Tasman champion Mclaren discuss the situation at Teretonga Park.
The forgotten men of motor racing, timekeepers and lap scorers make ready for the Teretonga international.
Denis Hulme and his wife Greta soak up some Southland sunshine. (I think he is not happy)
when McLaren, through no fault of his own, over-revved his engine in the preliminary heat, cheif mechanic Wally Willmott made a thorough check to see that nothing was bent.
.....Rod, do you know whate the time is ???..... here...its way past mid-night and still you post these fantastic shots/photo's, I'm starting to look my age in the mornings because of this thread, my beauty sleep has become a thing of the past....so !! please keep-im comming, I just don't care anymore...................Truely fantastic collection,I'm really enjoying every frame !!.....Your very tired friend, Myles
Thanks guy's, It's all good isn't it. There is some great history there.
Myles, what are you upto at that hour, working on another bit magic ?
Hope Bob and the crew are all well, still fizz on that meeting.
McLaren and Brabham, not for the first time, fight it out lap by lap in the Grand prix. Here McLaren is in the lead. The Australian later tangled with Shelly and withdrew.
Driving position in the Tasman Formula Cooper-Climax is almost prone. McLaren demonstrates the classic straight-arm grip. Melting tar at Teretonga explains the grass on the tyres.
Burning rubber spurts from the spinning wheels as the front row men take off in the Lady Wigram Trophy race.
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I just don't care anymore
