Tasman Cup legends, 1968
ABC2, Monday January 2 2006, 10:45pm AEDT, repeated Friday January 6 10:45pm AEDT
Life in the fast lane: Graham Hill took the Driver's Championship, and appeared in the Tasman Series, which consisted of four races in New Zealand and four in Australia. 1968 marked the 5th year of the Tasman Championship and the event was at its peak. The major teams, (Brabham, Ferrari, Lotus & BRM) were all present, and so were many of the top drivers. Warwick Farm was the sixth race in the series and the lead was being fought out by two farmers - Jim Clark from Scotland and Kiwi Chris Amon. Clark went on to win the Australian Grand Prix at Sandown, which was destined to be his last title. He was tragically killed in an F2 race in Germany six weeks later. Sadly, over the next few years the same fate befell Piers Courage, Pedro Rodriguez, and Graham Hill. In 1970, the Tasman Cup turned to F5000 regulations, and Frank Matich won back-to-back titles, and was challenging again in 1972, along with David Hobbs from UK, and Graham McRae (NZ).
Terrific Touring Cars [look out for Minis
]
ABC2, Tuesday January 3 2006, 10:45pm AEDT
Frank Matich won at Warwick Farm, but interest in single-seaters was beginning to wane as touring cars were attracting new fans through television. Norm Beechey in his Monaro, Ian 'Pete' Geoghegan, Alan Moffat and Bob Jane are all revving their Mustangs, as we join commentators Bert Oliver & Graham Howard at the Farm.
Classic Single Seaters
ABC2, Wednesday January 4 2006, 10:45pm AEDT, repeated Saturday January 7 11pm AEDT
In motor racing, The Tasman Cup and the subsequent F5000 series had thrived through the 1960s and early 70s, but by 1978 Touring Cars were becoming more popular, and cheaper, than the single seaters. Nevertheless, there was still plenty of competition for dedicated rev-heads, and plenty of drivers willing to push whatever vehicle they were in.
Warwick Brown, Alf Costanzo, John Walker (all in Lolas), Bruce Allison (Chevron), Vern Schuppan (Elfin), Graham McRae, John Goss, Kevin Bartlett - all have started their engines as we cross to Adelaide International Raceway, and commentator Will Hagen.
Australian Grand Prix, 1978
ABC2, Thursday January 5 2006, 10:45pm AEDT, repeated Sunday January 8, 11pm AEDT
The 1978 Australian Grand Prix was held at Sandown. The first had been raced on Phillip Island in 1928, and over the next 50 years the AGP moved around to more than 20 courses in all states of Australia. Initially it was raced on public road circuits and disused airfields, until purpose-built tracks were established in the 1960s. The 1978 Golden Anniversary AGP was the second last under Formula 5000 regulations ?
