1973 New Zealand Grand Prix Explained

Type:CUST
Description:Race 1 of 7 in 1973 Tasman Series
Grand Prix:New Zealand
Country:New Zealand
Location:Pukekohe Park Raceway, Pukekohe, New Zealand
Date:6 January
Year:1973
Course:Permanent racing facility
Course Mi:1.76
Course Km:2.82
Distance Laps:58
Distance Mi:102
Distance Km:164
Weather:Light Cloud
Pole Driver:Frank Matich
Pole Country:Australia
Pole Team:Matich-Repco
Fast Driver:Graham McRae
Fast Team:McRae-Chevrolet
Fast Time:1:07.7
Fast Country:New Zealand
First Driver:John McCormack
First Country:Australia
First Team:Elfin-Repco
Second Driver:Alan Rollinson
Second Country:United Kingdom
Second Team:McRae-Chevrolet
Third Driver:Steve Thompson
Third Country:United Kingdom
Third Team:Chevron-Chevrolet

The 1973 New Zealand Grand Prix was a race held at the Pukekohe Park Raceway on 6 January 1973. The race had 20 starters.

It was the 19th New Zealand Grand Prix, and doubled as the first round of the 1973 Tasman Series. Australian John McCormack won his first NZGP in his Elfin MR5 who finished ahead of Britons Allan Rollinson and Steve Thompson. The first New Zealand driver to finish was Graham McRae in the McRae GM1 who came in 4th place.

After the fatal accident of Bryan Faloon the previous year, two chicanes were added to circuit in a bid to slow the cars down. One was placed down the back straight and the other was just before the main straight. These chicanes were very artificial, with them being made up of concrete kerbing, railway sleepers and tractor tyres.

Classification

Pos No. Driver Team Car Laps Time
129 John McCormackAnsett Team ElfinElfin MR5 / Repco 4994cc V85857min 16.5sec
221 Alan RollinsonMcKechnie Racing OrganisationMcRae GM1 / Chevrolet 4995cc V858+ 0.6 s
33 Steve ThompsonServis / Alan BrodieChevron B24 / Chevrolet 4995cc V857+ 1 Lap
422 Graham McRaeCrown LynnMcRae GM1 / Chevrolet 4995cc V856+ 2 Laps
589 Garry PedersenWright MachineryBegg FM4 / Chevrolet 4995cc V856+ 2 Laps
611 Ken SmithAir New Zealand Motor RacingMarch 722 / Cosworth 1930cc V852+ 6 Laps
715 Noritake TakaharaTakahara Racing Inc.Brabham BT36 / Cosworth 1790cc V852+ 6 Laps
830 Dave McConnellD.W.M. Racing Ltd.Surtees TS15 / Hart 1975cc 4cyl52+ 6 Laps
NC1 Frank MatichFrank Matich Racing Pty Ltd.Matich A50 / Repco 4994cc V843Not Classified
Ret10 Warwick BrownTeam TargetLola T300 / Chevrolet 4995cc V854Out of Fuel
Ret34 Sam PoseyChamp Carr Inc.Surtees TS11 / Chevrolet 4995cc V844Throttle
Ret12 Baron RobertsonRobertson RacingMarch 722 / Cosworth 1790cc V840Engine
Ret52 Dexter DunlopCameron RacingMcRae GM1 / Chevrolet 4995cc V840Flagged Off
Ret5 Kevin BartlettChesterfield Filter RacingLola T300 / Chevrolet 4995cc V817Overheating
Ret7 Evan NoyesGemco RacingMcRae GM1 / Chevrolet 4995cc V815Fuel Injection
Ret36 Kelvin CameronCameron Motor CourtBrabham BT23C / Cosworth 1791cc 4cyl11Flywheel
Ret19 David OxtonG.N. Begg Engineering Co. Ltd.Begg FM5 / Chevrolet 4995cc V85Accident
Ret6 Max StewartMax Stewart MotorsLola T330 / Chevrolet 4995cc V83Suspension
DNS Frank RadisichMcLaren M10B / Repco 4994cc V8Did Not Start
Source(s):[1] [2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1973 Round 1 Pukekohe . sergent.com.au . 28 October 2015.
  2. Web site: New Zealand Grand Prix – Pukekohe, 6 Jan 1973 . oldracingcars.com . 28 October 2015.