What Is 1968 New Zealand Grand Prix

Overview

The 1968 New Zealand Grand Prix was a significant event in the Tasman Series, an annual motor racing competition held in Australia and New Zealand during the Formula One off-season. Taking place on January 6, 1968, at Pukekohe Park Raceway, it attracted top international drivers competing in modified Formula One machinery.

This race marked one of the final appearances of legendary driver Jim Clark before his tragic death later that year. Clark, representing Team Lotus, secured pole position and dominated the 52-lap race, showcasing his exceptional skill and the power of the revolutionary Lotus 49T chassis.

• Jim Clark won the race, completing 52 laps in a time of 1 hour, 2 minutes, and 42.8 seconds, averaging 176.8 km/h.
• The race was part of the 1968 Tasman Series, which featured Formula One-style cars with 2.5-liter engines instead of the standard 3.0-liter.
• Pukekohe Park Raceway, located 30 km south of Auckland, hosted the event on a 3.52 km circuit with 12 turns.
• Clark drove the Lotus 49T, a modified version of the F1 Lotus 49, adapted for the Tasman regulations with a lighter Cosworth DFV engine.
• Second place went to Graham Hill in another Lotus 49T, while Chris Amon finished third in a Ferrari 246T.

Drivers and Performance

The 1968 New Zealand Grand Prix featured a competitive field of 17 drivers, including multiple Formula One champions and rising stars from around the world. Performance was heavily influenced by car reliability, driver experience, and adaptation to the unique Pukekohe circuit.

• Jim Clark: Started from pole, led all 52 laps, and recorded the fastest lap at 1:10.4, demonstrating total dominance.
• Graham Hill: Finished second, 28.6 seconds behind Clark, maintaining consistent pace in his Lotus 49T.
• Chris Amon: The sole Ferrari entry, Amon secured third place, marking a strong result for the Italian team in challenging conditions.
• Jackie Stewart: Retired due to engine failure after 38 laps, despite showing strong early pace in a Matra MS7.
• Denny Hulme: The New Zealand-born F1 champion finished fourth, driving a Brabham BT23D, cheered by a home crowd.
• John Surtees: Drove a Honda RA300 but retired after 22 laps due to mechanical issues, highlighting reliability concerns.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the top finishers in the 1968 New Zealand Grand Prix based on key performance metrics.

This table highlights the dominance of the Lotus 49T, which took first and second place, while Ferrari and Brabham teams showed competitive pace but couldn't match Clark’s speed. Mechanical retirements affected several top drivers, underlining the demanding nature of the Pukekohe circuit.

Why It Matters

The 1968 New Zealand Grand Prix was more than just a regional race—it was a showcase of cutting-edge motorsport technology and elite driver talent during the golden era of Formula racing. Its inclusion in the Tasman Series gave European drivers valuable off-season competition and helped globalize the sport.

• The race highlighted the Lotus 49T’s superiority, which became the car to beat in the 1968 Tasman Series.
• It was one of Jim Clark’s final victories; he died in a racing accident in April 1968, making this win historically poignant.
• The event boosted motorsport popularity in New Zealand, drawing large crowds and media attention.
• It demonstrated the global reach of Formula racing, with drivers from the UK, New Zealand, Switzerland, and Italy competing.
• The use of 2.5-liter engines allowed teams to test innovations without the full cost of F1-spec machinery.
• Clark’s win reinforced his legacy as one of the greatest drivers in motorsport history, with 19 wins in 72 F1 starts.

The 1968 New Zealand Grand Prix remains a landmark event in Southern Hemisphere motorsport, remembered for its competitive field, technological significance, and emotional resonance following Clark’s untimely death months later.