8 replies to this topic

[TerryS]

Interesting article on the highly successful Loa T332 which came to dominate F5000 racing around the world:

 

Lola T332 Factory Specification Information… | primotipo...

[Lola5000]

Interesting article on the highly successful Loa T332 which came to dominate F5000 racing around the world:

 

Lola T332 Factory Specification Information… | primotipo...

a number of my old friends raced T332s and a couple of them have always said the Elfin MR8 was as good a race car .

[opplock]

Just love Steve Elliott’s shot above – a corker! – but I have no idea of the circuit, help please Kiwis!?

It does look like the esses at Manfeild. If so that photo must have been taken during practice. Race day was seriously wet.

Must admit that I last attended a meeting there in 1981.

[opplock]

Having had another look there are too many spectators for it to have been a practice day. Assuming it is Manfeild the photo is more likely to have been taken during heat 2 of the Gold Star event held on 14th December 1975.  

[MarkBisset]

 

 

Thanks Terry, Oppy.

 

This is the Manfield shot in question that threw me completely.

Graeme Lawrence in his Lola T332 Chev HU28 from Max Stewart, Lola T400 Chev HU2. Photo credit, Steve Elliott.

Edited by MarkBisset, 18 January 2025 - 20:44.

[Ardmore]

 

 

Thanks Terry, Oppy.

 

This is the Manfield shot in question that threw me completely.

Graeme Lawrence in his Lola T332 Chev HU28 from Max Stewart, Lola T400 Chev HU2. Photo credit, Steve Elliott.

I can confirm that the photo was taken during the second heat of the NZ Post Office Savings Bank 5000 Championship International at Manfeild on December 14, 1975.

 

The reason our national championship was give an International title at this meeting was that three Australian F5000 drivers, Max Stewart, Bruce Allison and Paul Bernasconi,  were invited to take part in a two round 'Test Series' against the top three NZ drivers Ken Smith, Graeme Lawrence and Jim Murdoch. The Aussies ran in both heats of the POSB races and then in a 10 lap 'Test' against the Kiwis.

 

The only time Lawrence and Stewart were running in that order was in the second heat.

 

The first round of the series was held at Levin the previous week where just one POSB race was held before the 'Match Race'.

 

Levin - Stewart, Allison, Lawrence, Bernasconi, Murdoch, Smith.                    Aust 14 points  -  NZ 7 points

Manfeild - Lawrence, Allison, Murdoch, Bernasconi. DNF - Smith, Stewart.    Aust 22 points  -  NZ 17 points.

 

 

[opplock]

I can confirm that the photo was taken during the second heat of the NZ Post Office Savings Bank 5000 Championship International at Manfeild on December 14, 1975.

 

 

 

Thanks for confirming that. My recollection is that Bernasconi was under orders not to bend the car and using lower revs. He certainly kept well out of the way of the others. 

[MarkBisset]

Thanks Milan,

 

I'd forgotten that if I ever knew about it! A great build up to the two final F5000 'Tasmans' in 1976. Kenny won yours, and Vern ours of course.

 

m

[Ardmore]

Graeme Lawrence at Pukekohe in January 1975.