What Is 1962 New Zealand Grand Prix

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1962 New Zealand Grand Prix was held on January 6, 1962, at the Ardmore Circuit near Auckland. British driver Jim Clark won the race driving a Lotus 25, marking his second consecutive victory in the event.

Key Facts

The 1962 New Zealand Grand Prix took place on January 6, 1962, at the Ardmore Aerodrome circuit.
Jim Clark won the race driving a Lotus 25 powered by a 2.5L Coventry Climax engine.
The race covered 50 laps, totaling approximately 156 miles (251 km).
Clark completed the race in 1 hour, 48 minutes, and 27 seconds, averaging 86.7 mph.
The event was part of the Tasman Series, a winter racing championship for Formula Libre cars.

Overview

The 1962 New Zealand Grand Prix was a pivotal event in the early years of the Tasman Series, an annual motor racing competition held in New Zealand and Australia during the northern winter. Held on January 6, 1962, at the temporary Ardmore Circuit, a repurposed airfield near Auckland, the race attracted top international drivers seeking off-season competition.

As one of the most prestigious open-wheel races in the Southern Hemisphere, the 1962 edition showcased cutting-edge Formula Libre machinery. The event drew large crowds and significant media attention, reinforcing New Zealand's growing role in international motorsport during the 1960s.

Location: The race was held at the Ardmore Aerodrome, a 2.2-mile temporary circuit constructed from paved runways and taxiways, which posed unique challenges due to its bumpy surface and limited runoff areas.
Winner:Jim Clark claimed victory, driving a Lotus 25, becoming the first driver to win the New Zealand Grand Prix in consecutive years (1961 and 1962).
Distance: The race spanned 50 laps, covering approximately 156 miles (251 km), with Clark finishing in 1 hour, 48 minutes, 27 seconds.
Car specifications: Clark’s Lotus 25 featured a 2.5L Coventry Climax FPF inline-four engine, producing around 275 horsepower and utilizing a revolutionary monocoque chassis design.
Historical context: The 1962 race was part of the inaugural Tasman Series, created to bring European and Commonwealth drivers to the Southern Hemisphere during the Formula One off-season.

Drivers and Teams

The 1962 New Zealand Grand Prix featured a competitive field of international and local drivers, many piloting modified Formula One or Formula Libre cars. The entry list included several future legends of motorsport, highlighting the race's rising prestige.

Jim Clark: Driving for Team Lotus, Clark dominated the race, leading from pole position and finishing over 30 seconds ahead of second place.
Jack Brabham: The Australian racing icon finished second, driving a Brabham BT4 powered by a 2.5L Climax engine, showcasing his consistency.
Bruce McLaren: A local favorite, McLaren placed third in his Cooper T60, earning praise from New Zealand fans for his home performance.
John Surtees: The future Formula One World Champion competed in a Lola Mk4 but retired due to mechanical failure on lap 38.
Jo Siffert: The Swiss driver made his debut in the series, finishing fourth in a Lotus 24, demonstrating strong pace on debut.
Reg Parnell: Fielded multiple entries, including a car for Lucien Bianchi, who finished fifth, highlighting the involvement of British racing teams.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares key performance metrics and car specifications from the top finishers in the 1962 New Zealand Grand Prix.

Driver	Team	Car	Engine	Time/Gap
Jim Clark	Team Lotus	Lotus 25	Climax FPF 2.5L I4	1:48:27.0
Jack Brabham	Brabham Racing	Brabham BT4	Climax FPF 2.5L I4	+32.4s
Bruce McLaren	Cooper Car Co.	Cooper T60	Climax FPF 2.5L I4	+1:07.1
Jo Siffert	Rob Walker Racing	Lotus 24	Climax FPF 2.5L I4	+1:41.3
Lucien Bianchi	Reg Parnell Racing	Lotus 24	Climax FPF 2.5L I4	+2:03.7

The table illustrates the dominance of Climax-powered machinery in the 1962 race, with all top finishers using the 2.5L FPF engine. The Lotus 25’s superior chassis design gave Clark a significant edge in handling and lap consistency, contributing to his decisive win.

Why It Matters

The 1962 New Zealand Grand Prix played a crucial role in shaping the Tasman Series and promoting motorsport in Oceania. It demonstrated the viability of hosting high-caliber international races outside Europe and North America.

Legacy of Jim Clark: His back-to-back wins solidified his reputation as one of the greatest drivers of his era, boosting Lotus’s global prestige.
Tasman Series growth: The success of the 1962 race helped establish the Tasman Series as a premier winter racing championship, lasting until 1975.
Technological showcase: The event highlighted advancements in monocoque chassis design, particularly through the Lotus 25’s performance.
Local inspiration: Bruce McLaren’s podium finish energized New Zealand’s motorsport culture, contributing to the growth of local racing programs.
International participation: The presence of drivers from the UK, Australia, Switzerland, and Belgium underscored the race’s growing global appeal.
Historical preservation: The Ardmore Circuit is now a heritage site, with efforts underway to commemorate the 1962 Grand Prix’s significance in motorsport history.

Today, the 1962 New Zealand Grand Prix is remembered not only for Clark’s mastery but also as a milestone in the globalization of motorsport, bridging continents through competitive racing excellence.