1970 Round 1
Levin

'In thing' for this Tasman series was the rolling start introduced because, it was claimed, the 5-litre V8's transmissions would not stand normal grid take-offs. Also in was Indy-style qualifying, which was time-consuming and rather boring. As things turned out, after morning practice the organisers announced that contestants could count their practice times, as opposed to their qualifying times, for starting positions. This led to some confusion, for when the starting places were posted it was found that in some instances they were not in accordance with the best times. However, there was no doubt about Lawrence's 45.7 sec, set in morning practice. When he learnt it could count he was not a hard trier during official qualifying.

Leo Leonard was a non-arrival as he was still confined to hospital after getting burned so badly at Bay Park the week before, while Peter Hughes was out with a broken crank-shaft. Practice eliminated John McLellan's Talon after it crashed at Rothmans, and Jack Oakley broke a wishbone on the same bend in the older McRae S2 Ford.

Goth, who recorded a 47.5 sec, had a new engine fitted after the Bay Park problem of a jamming timing gear reappeared. He was slower than Matich (47.1 sec), Bell (47.2 sec) and Allen (47.4 sec). Radisich was the fastest of the 1.6 cars at 48.8 sec. Kaye Griffiths was a non-qualifier in the BRP-Ford. It looked rough and sounded even rougher. He was unable to do a lap under 60 secs. The top saloon cars were quicker, yet he still got his appearance money as an international.

Late in the day, during the Gold Star race, Faloon's Climax engine split and that called for an all-night replacement session, during which a new short-stroke Climax was fitted. Less fortunate was Ron Grable who broke a crankshaft in the opening practice session and took no further part in Levin activities.

A preliminary 10 lap race was held, prior to the main race, for New Zealand drivers, which Lawrence, Marwood and Faloon wisely opted out of. McRae started and led until lap 4 when his engine seized, putting him out of the main race. Officials refused to allow him to start in the McRae TC as he had not practiced in it.

The grid for the main race, now without McRae looked as follows:- Lawrence and Stewart, Bartlett and Faloon, Matich and Bell, Allen and Goth, Norinder and Radisich, Marwood and Mardon, Smith and Baker, Williams and Campbell, Simpson and Watson, and Phillips at the rear.

Derek Williams (Lola T142) at the head of a queue.

Lawrence led Bartlett, Stewart, Faloon, Matich and Goth into the first sweeping left-hander, the last to reach it being Michael Campbell. Obviously determined to stay in front, Lawrence had drawn out three seconds on Bartlett, who was now followed by Faloon, at the end of the first lap. Next time round the margin was five seconds, with the Bartlett and Stewart Mildren-Waggotts nose to tail and Faloon, Matich and Bell next, Norinder and Goth also being fairly prominent. Next lap Lawrence had eight seconds on Bartlett. Geoff Mardon, whose Begg FM2 Chev had been smoking badly, caused excitement when his rear wheels locked up at the end of the straight and the car spun backwards out of the race.

At the end of ten laps the rock-steady Lawrence led Stewart by 10 sec and Bartlett, Faloon, Matich, Bell and Dennis Marwood followed him. Farther back Ken Smith was mixing it with Derrick Williams and Pierre Phillips. Bill Simpson was even farther away and among those already doubled by the leaders. Campbell went out on lap 14 with overheating in his Ford V8 and Simpson spun the Eagle two laps later and retired. Bartlett lost ground and finally departed the scene with overheating problems after a stone had gone through his radiator. By the time Lawrence had covered 20 laps he was 17.4 sec ahead of Stewart and there was about 10 sec to Matich, who had shaken off Bell and Goth. Faloon was next, followed by Norinder whom Marwood was desperately trying to take. Allen had joined the contest when the leaders had made about ten laps, but was not in contention.

Bell came round in second spot to begin lap 25, having displaced Matich first, then Stewart, but he was 25 sec behind Lawrence. In the next six laps he gained about three seconds, but in the course of getting by Norinder, the Brabham and Lola touched and one of Bell's front spoilers was knocked awry. Stewart resumed second place while Bell stopped to have the spoiler removed. So on lap 35 the order was Lawrence, 23.8 sec to Stewart, Matich, Goth, Bell, Marwood, Norinder, Smith, Frank Radisich, Williams and Graham Baker.

Lawrence starts well to lead the Mildrens of Stewart and Bartlett.

Lawrence doubled Bell after 39 laps, so only Stewart, Matich and Goth were left on the same lap as the flying Ferrari. Farther back there was no change in the order and there were no more upsets until Bell failed to appear for lap 53. He had stopped for fuel and this dropped him to ninth, between Radisich and Williams.

Lawrence leading the field into Beach Bend.

11th Levin International

Date: 3rd January 1970
Venue: Levin

63 laps of 1.92kms (120.69kms)