What Is 1967 New Zealand Grand Prix

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1967 New Zealand Grand Prix was held on January 7, 1967, at the Pukekohe Park Raceway. British driver Jim Clark won the race driving a Lotus 33.

Key Facts

The 1967 New Zealand Grand Prix took place on January 7, 1967
Jim Clark won the race, driving a Lotus 33 powered by a Climax engine
The race was held at Pukekohe Park Raceway, located 50 km south of Auckland
Clark led every lap of the 50-lap race, finishing in 1 hour, 2 minutes, and 36 seconds
This victory marked Clark’s second win in the New Zealand Grand Prix, having previously won in 1965

Overview

The 1967 New Zealand Grand Prix was a significant event in the country's motorsport history, drawing international attention and top-tier drivers. Held on January 7, 1967, it was part of the Tasman Series, a winter racing championship for Formula One and Formula Libre cars.

The race took place at Pukekohe Park Raceway, a 3.3-kilometer circuit located about 50 km south of Auckland. It attracted a strong field of drivers, including reigning Formula One World Champion Jim Clark and future champion Denny Hulme.

Jim Clark secured pole position and led every lap, completing the 50-lap race in 1 hour, 2 minutes, and 36 seconds.
The race was part of the 1967 Tasman Series, which featured modified Formula One cars with 2.5-liter engines for enhanced performance.
Clark drove a Lotus 33 powered by a 2.5-liter Coventry-Climax FPF engine, giving him a significant power advantage over rivals.
Second place went to Graham Hill, driving a BRM P261, finishing 52 seconds behind Clark after a mechanical issue slowed him.
Denny Hulme, a New Zealander, finished third in a Brabham BT11A, delighting the home crowd despite being outpaced by Clark.

Winning Driver and Car Details

Jim Clark’s dominance in the 1967 New Zealand Grand Prix was a masterclass in precision and control, showcasing why he was considered one of the greatest drivers of his era. His Lotus 33 was finely tuned for the high-speed straights and technical corners of Pukekohe.

Car Model: The Lotus 33 was a development of the successful Lotus 25, featuring a more powerful 2.5-liter Climax engine for Tasman Series regulations.
Engine Output: The Coventry-Climax FPF engine produced approximately 260 horsepower, allowing Clark to reach top speeds over 270 km/h on the back straight.
Chassis Design: The Lotus 33 featured a lightweight aluminum monocoque chassis, contributing to its superior handling and braking performance.
Tyre Choice: Dunlop supplied the tyres, which were crucial in maintaining grip on Pukekohe’s abrasive asphalt surface during the 165-kilometer race.
Pit Strategy: Clark made no pit stops, relying on the reliability of his car and efficient fuel consumption over the 50-lap distance.
Driver Background: Jim Clark was the 1963 and 1965 Formula One World Champion, and his participation elevated the prestige of the New Zealand Grand Prix.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the top finishers highlights the technological and driver skill gaps in the 1967 race.

Position	Driver	Car	Time/Gap	Laps
1	Jim Clark	Lotus 33-Climax	1:02:36.0	50
2	Graham Hill	BRM P261	+52.0s	50
3	Denny Hulme	Brabham BT11A	+1:12.3s	50
4	Jack Brabham	Brabham BT11A	+1:34.7s	50
5	Chris Amon	Ferrari 246T	+2:01.4s	50

The table shows that Clark’s victory was decisive, with a 52-second margin over second place. The dominance of British-built cars like Lotus, BRM, and Brabham reflected the technological edge of UK manufacturers in the 1960s. New Zealand drivers like Hulme and Amon showed promise but lacked the outright pace of Clark’s Lotus. The race also highlighted the competitiveness of the Tasman Series, which brought European F1 talent to the Southern Hemisphere during the European off-season. Pukekohe’s layout, with its mix of high-speed straights and tight corners, tested both car reliability and driver consistency.

Why It Matters

The 1967 New Zealand Grand Prix remains a landmark event in motorsport history due to its star-studded lineup and technological significance. It demonstrated the global reach of Formula One-level racing and helped popularize motorsport in New Zealand and the wider Oceania region.

It was one of the few times a reigning world champion like Jim Clark competed on New Zealand soil, boosting local interest in racing.
The race contributed to the Tasman Series championship, which awarded points across multiple races in Australia and New Zealand.
Clark’s win underscored the superiority of Lotus engineering and the Climax engine combination during the mid-1960s.
It helped launch the careers of local talents like Chris Amon, who later joined Formula One full-time.
The event drew large crowds, with over 30,000 spectators attending, showcasing the popularity of motorsport in New Zealand.
Pukekohe Park Raceway became a regular fixture on the Tasman Series calendar due in part to the success of the 1967 race.

Overall, the 1967 New Zealand Grand Prix was more than just a race—it was a cultural moment that united fans, celebrated engineering excellence, and elevated the profile of New Zealand in international motorsport.