The 1974 New Zealand Grand Prix was a race held at the Wigram Airfield Circuit on 19 January 1974. The race had 20 starters. This was the first and only New Zealand Grand Prix to be held at the Wigram Airfield Circuit, and the race was also the 1974 Lady Wigram Trophy.[1] The race was moved to Wigram from the usual Pukekohe to be part of the Commonwealth Games being held in Christchurch.[2]
| 1974 New Zealand Grand Prix | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Race 3 of 8 in 1974 Tasman Series | |||
 | |||
| Race details | |||
| Date | 19 January 1974 | ||
| Location | Wigram Airfield Circuit, Christchurch, New Zealand | ||
| Course | Temporary racing facility | ||
| Course length | 3.54 km (2.20 miles) | ||
| Distance | 47 laps, 166 km (103 miles) | ||
| Weather | Light Cloud | ||
| Fastest lap | |||
| Driver |
 Peter Gethin | Chevron-Chevrolet | |
| Time | 1:03.6 | ||
| Podium | |||
| First | Elfin-Repco | ||
| Second | Chevron-Chevrolet | ||
| Third | Chevron-Chevrolet | ||
It was the 20th New Zealand Grand Prix, 23rd Lady Wigram Trophy[3] and doubled as the third round of the 1974 Tasman Series, Australian John McCormack won his second NZGP in succession in his Elfin MR5 who finished ahead of Belgian Teddy Pilette and Briton Peter Gethin. The first New Zealand driver to finish was David Oxton in the Begg FM5 who came in 4th place.
Classification edit
| Pos | No. | Driver | Car | Laps | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 |  John McCormack
|
Elfin MR5 / Repco 4994cc V8 | 47 | 52min 29.8sec | |
| 2 | 3 |  Teddy Pilette
|
Chevron B24 / Chevrolet 4995cc V8 | 47 | + 41.4 s | |
| 3 | 2 | Peter Gethin
|
Chevron B24 / Chevrolet 4995cc V8 | 47 | + 56.9 s | |
| 4 | 18 |  David Oxton
|
Begg FM5 / Chevrolet 4995cc V8 | 47 | + 1:04.2 s | |
| 5 | 22 | Garry Pedersen
|
McLaren M18 / Chevrolet 4995cc V8 | 46 | + 1 Lap | |
| 6 | 14 | Graeme Lawrence
|
Lola T332 / Chevrolet 4995cc V8 | 45 | + 2 Laps | |
| 7 | 21 | Allan McCully
|
Begg FM5 / Chevrolet 4995cc V8 | 45 | + 2 Laps | |
| 8 | 15 | Reg Cook
|
Lola T300 / Chevrolet 4995cc V8 | 42 | + 5 Laps | |
| 9 | 12 | Baron Robertson
|
Elfin MR5 / Repco 4994cc V8 | 40 | + 7 Laps | |
| 10 | 11 | Ken Smith
|
March 732 / Cosworth 1930cc 4cyl | 34 | + 13 Laps | |
| Ret | 16 | Dexter Dunlop
|
McRae GM1 / Chevrolet 4995cc V8 | 38 | Fuel Injection | |
| Ret | 1 | Graham McRae
|
McRae GM2 / Chevrolet 4995cc V8 | 30 | Valve Spring | |
| Ret | 10 | Warwick Brown
|
Lola T332 / Chevrolet 4995cc V8 | 27 | Gearbox | |
| Ret | 19 | Robbie Booth
|
Begg FM4 / Chevrolet 4995cc V8 | 24 | Differential | |
| Ret | 7 | Johnnie Walker
|
Lola T330 / Repco 4994cc V8 | 20 | Gearbox | |
| Ret | 6 | Max Stewart
|
Lola T330 / Chevrolet 4995cc V8 | 12 | Oil Line | |
| Ret | 20 | Neil Doyle
|
Surtees TS9B / Chevrolet 4995cc V8 | 7 | Suspension | |
| Ret | 24 | John Laney
|
McLaren M10B / Chevrolet 4995cc V8 | 7 | Engine | |
| Source(s):[3][4] | ||||||
References edit
- ^ Australian Competition Yearbook 1975 Edition. 1975. pp. 54–55.
- ^ "Quick Guide to the New Zealand Grand Prix". Toyota Gazoo Racing New Zealand. 17 November 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
- ^ a b "1974 Round 3 Wigram". sergent.com.au. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
- ^ "New Zealand Grand Prix – Pukekohe, 19 Jan 1974". oldracingcars.com. Retrieved 28 October 2015.