Photos: The Roderick MacKenzie Collection - Part 1

[Steve Holmes]

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I’ve been aware of Roderick and his amazing collection of historic Australian motor racing photos for some time. But a message from him offering to share his images with Roaring Season members came completely out of the blue. I’m incredibly chuffed by this.

Rod has had many of his photos published, and you’ll likely recognise some of them from the various publications he has contributed to. He has taken thousands of photos over the years, and continues to this day.

This particular chapter focuses solely on the Tasman Series, from the years 1968, when modern day Formula 1 teams and drivers still travelled down-under, through to 1972, by which time both Australia and New Zealand had adopted Formula 5000 as their premier single seater category. I should clarify, that these images are from Tasman Series events, and aren’t strictly limited to Tasman Series races. In amongst the collection are also sports car and touring car photos.

Here are a few words from the man himself:

“Freelancing to motorsport magazines provided me with the ‘best seat in the house’ to witness the spectacle of International drivers and World Champions competing against the best of the Australian and New Zealand drivers in the initial Tasman Cup races for 2.5l F1 cars. This series was effectively a de facto Formula 1 Championship.

“These days you don’t get four or five World Champion drivers (Clark, Stewart, Brabham, Hulme, and Hill) and various internationals in current Formula 1 cars racing FOUR! times in a month for the Tasman Cup preceded by four races in New Zealand.

“This fantastic scene evolved into a very similar feast of colour, personalities, speed and thunder for the F5000 Tasman races. International drivers, state of the art cars and the fiercest competition in speed and power from “stock block” engines giving 500 plus horsepower battled for wins.

“The noise and speed and atmosphere can’t be matched - with record crowds coming to circuits to see the “open wheelers”, with Production and Improved Production Touring cars – these were the forerunners to today’s V8 Supercars – GTHO’s and Monaros with embarrassingly large motors – purely as support racing for the real racing cars!

“Tasman Series racing had a gladiatorial feel for the spectators who watched drivers battling others who not only battled their competitors but their own cars at the same time. Spectators saw the top line drivers of those times.

“Add to this the noise from engines, with no regulations about noise pollution to worry about! The attack on your senses was an aural delight and rainbows of colour for your eyes.

“Just try to imagine the thrill standing less than a metre from these beasts as they charged through the ‘esses’ at Warwick Farm or into Peters Corner at Sandown.
Then take photos of the action.

“I saw my access as a privilege and took it pretty seriously that I obtained the best photos I could so that others could see what I saw from trackside. I at least met expenses, and had a lot of fun. I only did photos on weekends – I had a family and career to attend to.

“I used to contribute to Sports Car World and the Australian Motor Racing Annuals, the annual Shell Book of New Zealand Motor Racing, some occasionally to Wheels and later on to Australian Motoring News - which eventually became Chevron Publishing with Australian Competition Yearbook from 1971, Australian Motor Racing and now some photos appear in Australian Muscle Car and the HSRCA and some other websites.

“I have never really stopped taking racing photos and I am renewing acquaintances in the Motoring press again and mainly now attending Historic meetings. This gives access to a lot of the great cars and drivers from the sixties and seventies again.

“I have a reasonable collection of photographs from the mid - sixties on, and now want to share them with people who would like to understand what we experienced.

“Today’s racing is good, but when you see the variety of cars and drivers from yesteryear, I wonder what can be done to recapture the atmosphere and racing that brought tens of thousands of spectators to the tracks regularly”.

These are simply stunning images, and quite evocative. I’d like to extend a huge thank you to Rod for sharing these with us. I know you’ll all enjoy them.

[Steve Holmes]

First out of the gates is this simply stunning image of Jim Clark, sliding his gloves on, and getting ready to climb aboard his Lotus 49 at the Surfers Paradise round of the 1968 Tasman Series. This is the first of the Australian races of the 1968 series. Clark won the race from team mate Graham Hill.

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[Steve Holmes]

Hill, Frank Gardner, and Leo Geoghegan squabble over second place on the opening lap, while Clark bolts away in front. Gardner finished well down, while Geoghegan slipped to fourth at the finish, behind an impressive Piers Courage driving a 1.6 litre McLaren M4A against the more powerful Tasman cars.

Its amazing how barren the Surfers track is here.

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[Steve Holmes]

Same spot as above. Pedro Rodriguez leads BRM team mate Richard Attwood. It wasn't a good race for the BRM's.

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[Steve Holmes]

Dramatic drag race start for the Sports Car supporting event. Frank Match, in the gorgeous SR3 and Chris Amon in the Ferrari P4 light the rear bags off the line. Note the spare wheel strapped to the rear of the Ferrari. The Ferrari wasn't designed to carry a spare, but was required to do so during its Australian visit, when competing in Australian Sports Car events. Sure looks ungainly.

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[Steve Holmes]

Richard Attwood, looking none-too pleased about something. Maybe this was after the Tasman Series race when his BRM broke down?

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[Steve Holmes]

Next of the Aussie 1968 Tasman rounds was Warwick Farm. Boy do I love this image! Stirling Moss leans in to chat with Jim Clark as the cars line up on the dummy-grid. Simply stunning photo!

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[seaqnmac27]

Same spot as above. Pedro Rodriguez leads BRM team mate Richard Attwood. It wasn't a good race for the BRM's.

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The double Lefts of Repco Hill, Looking out towards I am guessing either Nerang or Mudgeeraba or in between the 2. Mt Tambourine on the right.

[Cooper997]

Great to see Rod's photo appear on TRS. He has some gems.

The photo of Piers holding the booklet is from the Feb 25, 1968 Sandown Tasman/AGP programme. It's the Bill Patterson motors advert on the rear, giving it away. Patterson being a former driver and Holden dealer. Surfers was 2 weeks earlier, with its programme having a BMC Mini advert on the rear cover.

I believe Piers was #18 at those 2 meetings, just to complicate things a little 46 years later.

Stephen

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Stephen, yes you are correct about the Courage shot. Rod had even labelled the photo as such, and I still f%@&ed it up! Ha ha ha. I've removed it from the above post, and will place it correctly with the other Sandown images.

[Steve Holmes]

More from Warwick Farm. Denny Hulme spins his F2 Brabham in practice, while Rodriguez and Hill negotiate a way past.

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[GD66]

Think that might be Attwood in the BRM, Steve, Pedro had a silver helmet with black stripe.

[Shoreboy57]

Dramatic drag race start for the Sports Car supporting event. Frank Match, in the gorgeous SR3 and Chris Amon in the Ferrari P4 light the rear bags off the line. Note the spare wheel strapped to the rear of the Ferrari. The Ferrari wasn't designed to carry a spare, but was required to do so during its Australian visit, when competing in Australian Sports Car events. Sure looks ungainly.

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I hadn't realised Chris had raced a P4 downunder. How great to see that run. Any evidence of how it performed

[Ellis]

In 1968 Amon ran it at the final Longford Tas
178mph on Flying mile

May have been 183.6mph...memory lapse

[Dale Harvey]

It managed 182.2 mph down conrod at Bathurst with Bill Brown driving. I don't think Amon beat Matich in any of their encounters that season.
Dale.

[Ellis]

Bill Brown also drove it in one race at Longford in 68, a handicap. Top speed is listed at 180 mph and 182 mph but I beleive it was above the timing systems capabilities.

[Michael Clark]

In fact CA holds the lap record at Longford - and will forever, just as he'll always hold the LR for F1 cars on the old Spa.

There is another track where he'll hold the lap record for eternity as well...who will win the race to answer?

[Carlo]

In fact CA holds the lap record at Longford - and will forever, just as he'll always hold the LR for F1 cars on the old Spa.

There is another track where he'll hold the lap record for eternity as well...who will win the race to answer?

Clermont - Ferrand

[Steve Holmes]

Also from Warwick Farm, Jack Brabham and Jim Clark chat in the pits.

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[Steve Holmes]

Moving on to the next round of the Tasman Series, and this is the opening lap in the Sports Car race. What a great shot this is, looking back down the front straight, as Amon in the Ferrari leads Matich and the rest of the field.

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[seaqnmac27]

Moving on to the next round of the Tasman Series, and this is the opening lap in the Sports Car race. What a great shot this is, looking back down the front straight, as Amon in the Ferrari leads Matich and the rest of the field.

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Speaking of Matich


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRqlPFnnoqE&list=UUgXflb5aeSKANwL8oLY3_Og

[Steve Holmes]

More from Sandown, and Denny Hulme plugs along in his Brabham, on his way to a 9th place finish, and the last car to finish the race.

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[Steve Holmes]

And this is Graham Hill, who finished 3rd. Note the horse track wooden guard rail in the foreground.

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[Steve Holmes]

The weather for the final round of the 1968 Tasman Series, at Longford, was less than ideal. Still, the fans turned up in their thousands! Actually, I'd guess this was possibly a practice day, or maybe very late in the afternoon on race day. We know how hardy Tasmanian race fans are.

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[Steve Holmes]

Last shot from 1968. This is Jim Clark, belting along in the wet, with potential hazards on either side.

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[Ellis]

The weather for the final round of the 1968 Tasman Series, at Longford, was less than ideal. Still, the fans turned up in their thousands! Actually, I'd guess this was possibly a practice day, or maybe very late in the afternoon on race day. We know how hardy Tasmanian race fans are.

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The monday was the wet day....rest of meeting had excellent weather

[Ellis]

Last shot from 1968. This is Jim Clark, belting along in the wet, with potential hazards on either side.

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Looks like theuphill out of Newry Cnr to start of Flying mile.
Clark finnished 5th. Race won by P Courage
Clark won the 68 Tasman Series and 100 Bottles of Champers for pole at Longford 68

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Ellis.

[Steve Holmes]

This is from the Sandown round of the 1969 Tasman Series. In fact, this would be the last Tasman Series race for the 2.5 cars, with F5000 being introduced the following season.

This is John Harvey, pushing his crippled Brabham out of harms way, with help from officials. Jochen Rindt speeds by in the high-wing Lotus, on his way to finishing second to Chris Amon.

Note the photographer with tripod standing on the outside of the track!

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[Steve Holmes]

Moving on to 1970 Tasman Series now, with F5000 coming in as the premier single seater formula. This is Frank Matich in his McLaren M10A at Surfers Paradise, on his way to fourth place finish.

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[Steve Holmes]

Same race, same corner, Kevin Bartlett gives it heaps in the Mildren Waggott. He qualified fourth, and finished an impressive second in the 2 litre machine against the big V8s.

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[Steve Holmes]

Moving now to the 1971 season. This is the first of the Aussie rounds in the Tasman Series, and a couple of Australian drivers to have enjoyed hugely successful international careers. Jack Brabham awards Frank Gardner the winners wreath. Gardner was driving a Lola T190.

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[seaqnmac27]

Moving now to the 1971 season. This is the first of the Aussie rounds in the Tasman Series, and a couple of Australian drivers to have enjoyed hugely successful international careers. Jack Brabham awards Frank Gardner the winners wreath. Gardner was driving a Lola T190.

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The Lola T190 became the base of his Corvair didn't it?

[Steve Holmes]

Um, yeah you could actually be right there Sean. I hadn't through about that, but certainly the Corvair was built around Lola F5000 components.

[bry3500]

I read somewhere the Corvair was built up using parts from a Lola 332

Um, yeah you could actually be right there Sean. I hadn't through about that, but certainly the Corvair was built around Lola F5000 components.

[GD66]

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Looked like this with its pants off.

[John McKechnie]

No wonder it was so quick, the body and support for it are nothing

[seaqnmac27]

I read somewhere the Corvair was built up using parts from a Lola 332


Yes I think you are right. T332 not T190.

[Steve Holmes]

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Looked like this with its pants off.

Wow, cool!

[Steve Holmes]

From Warwick Farm, 1971. This is Max Stewart, in his Mildren Waggott. Stewart finished second to team mate Kevin Bartlett here, the pair of them beating all the 5 litre V8 cars in their nimble 2 litre machines.

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[Steve Holmes]

Touring car support action from Warwick Farm. Allan Moffat battles Jim McKeown and Pete Geoghegan.

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[Steve Holmes]

These guys look happy! From left to right: Graham McRae, Teddy Pilette, and Frank Matich, who finished the Sandown round of the 1971 Tasman Series in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd positions.

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[Steve Holmes]

More from Sandown, and Chris Amon powers his Lotus 70 home to fourth position, and first non-McLaren M10B.

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[Steve Holmes]

Teddy Pilette in the Team VDS McLaren.

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[graham donaldson]

fantastic photos THANKS

[graham donaldson]

that was my start in racing.VDS then took me to the UK .THANKS

[graham donaldson]

[QUOTE=Steve Holmes;38908]First out of the gates is this simply stunning image of Jim Clark, sliding his gloves on, and getting ready to climb aboard his Lotus 49 at the Surfers Paradise round of the 1968 Tasman Series. This is the first of the Australian races of the 1968 series. Clark won the race from team mate Graham Hill.

we all were lucky to see these drivers back then,and to be that close to listen to them talk.I will never forget

[Steve Holmes]

that was my start in racing.VDS then took me to the UK .THANKS

Hi Graham, did you get a job with Team VDS while they were in NZ for the Tasman Series?

[seaqnmac27]

2 of Kevin Thomsons photographs of Peter Gethin from Teretonga 74

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[Steve Holmes]

More from Sandown, 1971. This is Graeme Lawrence in the ex-Chris Amon Ferrari 246T.

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[Steve Holmes]

Frank Gardner in the Lola T192.

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[Steve Holmes]

From Warwick Farm, 1971, this is Chris Amon in the Lotus 70, on his way to a 2nd place finish, behind Gardner.

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[Steve Holmes]

Leo Geoghegan in the Lotus 59, followed by (I think) a Lotus 69. Not sure who it is in the 69 though, as no 69 appears to have started this race. This could be from practice, where David McConnell drove a 69 but failed to qualify.

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[launchpad]

Leo Geoghegan in the Lotus 59, followed by (I think) a Lotus 69. Not sure who it is in the 69 though, as no 69 appears to have started this race. This could be from practice, where David McConnell drove a 69 but failed to qualify.

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This shot was from practice. Steve, as you say, David McConnell did not qualify for the Tasman race, but raced in a support race on the Sunday race day. Cheers, Rod Mackenzie.

[Steve Holmes]

Its been a while since I updated this thread, but I recently received an email from Rod containing the following superb images, which I'm sure you'll all enjoy:

"Hi Steve,
It's some time since I sent any photos.
I was looking at some old pics for a new book from Full Throttle Publishing called Tasman Cup 1964 1975.
This one is even better than the F5000 book previously published.
However, these photos mainly of Chris Amon should whet your appetite for Tasman photos.
By the way, my website is now rodmackenziecollection.com (http://rodmackenziecollection.com)
Regards,
Rod Mackenzie".

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[Steve Holmes]

These are all from Warwick Farm, 1968:

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

Last one:

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[launchpad]

Steve, Thanks for posting the new photos of Chris Amon.
Rod Mackenzie.

[seaqnmac27]

Hill, Frank Gardner, and Leo Geoghegan squabble over second place on the opening lap, while Clark bolts away in front. Gardner finished well down, while Geoghegan slipped to fourth at the finish, behind an impressive Piers Courage driving a 1.6 litre McLaren M4A against the more powerful Tasman cars.

Its amazing how barren the Surfers track is here.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpq-Va4DVD8

[seaqnmac27]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqLf9Qmo-wg