No driver blamed for race death

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32819, 20 January 1972, Page 3

No driver blamed for race death

(New Zealand Preu Association)

AUCKLAND, January 19. No responsibility could be apportioned to any of the drivers involved in an accident in the New Zealand Grand Prix at Pukekohe on January 8 in which Bryan Faloon, a racing driver, of Hastings, was killed, an inquiry has found.

The chairman and convener of the inquiry was a Hamilton solicitor, Mr J. Grace. The other members were Mr Jensen, representing the New Zealand International Grand Prix stewards; Mr J. Carney, of the Motor Sports Association; and Mr A. Gough, also representing the Motor Sports Association.

In a statement today, Mr Jensen said: “Having regard to the facts, it was concluded that the accident arose through an unfortunate set of circumstances, coupled with the attendant hazards of high-speed motor racing.” The accident happened on what was known as between point 7 and 8 on the fast back-straight section of the circuit. Mr Jensen said it seemed evident that J. McCormack’s car followed very closely a

car driven by G. Lawrence, were preparing to overtake Faloon’s car, which was travelling normally in the middle of the track, just beyond point 7. McCormack’s overtaking on Faloon’s right apparently caused the latter to move to the left, just as Lawrence began to overtake on the left.

Both McCormack and Lawrence were travelling at a speed higher than that of Faloon. The evidence of witnesses, and the mechanical evidence, showed that the front of Lawrence’s car collided with the left rear wheel of Faloon’s car, causing both cars to go out of control. McCormack’s car maintained its course on the inside, Mr Jensen said.

Asked about the legality of overtaking in motor racing, Mr Jensen said that it was legal to do so both on*the left and the right of a driver. Under some circumstances a driver who was being passed would give some indication, but in the portion of the circuit where the accident occurred it would npt have been possible to give any indication. If a driver put up his arm it would almost be torn off at the speed at which he was travelling. Mr Jensen said that the inquiry was of the opinion that Faloon might have thought only one car was behind him, but this could not be established. Asked about the criticism of the Pukekohe track after Faloon’s death, Mr Jensen said: “The track was duly considered in all of the evidence brought forward.”