CLARK SPINS DURING 100m.p.h. TRIAL RUN

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30959, 15 January 1966, Page 15

CLARK SPINS DURING 100m.p.h. TRIAL RUN

(New Zealand Press Association) LEVIN. The world motor racing champion, Jim Clark, went into a spin during a 100 miles an hour practise run at the Levin motor racing circuit yesterday and broke the rear suspension of his Lotus racer.

A bolt sheered on the rear linkage of the suspension, causing him to spin off the track.

Mechanics were working throughout the night to repair the damage to allow Clark to take his place on the grid, for the start of the international race today, the second on the Tasman Cup circuit Clark’s car spun several times at Cabbage Tree corner while he was making a fast circuit of the twisting 1.1-mile circuit.

Today’s race for Tasman formula cars—no more than 2500 c.c. engine capacity—has attracted more than 20 top New Zealand and overseas drivers, but only the fastest 15 will be allowed to start. Apart from Cark, other overseas drivers in the event are Jackie Stewart (Scotland), in a 8.R.M., Richard Atwood (England), 8.R.M., and two Australians, Frank Gardner and Spencer Martin, both driving Brabhams. The main race, over 28 laps, was won last year by Clark and he is again the favourite this time—providing the mechanics can get him to the line.

He, Stewart and Martin were the three fastest in yesterday’s practice runs, with Atwood, Gardner and the leading New Zealand driver, Jim Palmer, not much slower. Palmer is driving the Lotus that Clark drove to victory last year.