Since its re-opening in 1962, Sandown International Raceway has been an immensely popular venue in Australian motorsport.
The circuit built a reputation, not only due to the Tasman Series, but also for hosting numerous other prestigious events throughout the 1960s and 1970s, including the Australian Grand Prix (six times), international six hour endurance races, then later in the 1970’s, both the Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC) and Rothmans International F5000 Championship.
Sandown International Raceway in the 70s was a venue for technical innovation, high-speed drama, and racing legends, playing an unchallenged role in the history of Australian motorsport.
The Australian Grand Prix
The most glamorous and popular motor racing event held at Sandown throughout the 60s and 70s would most certainty be the Australian Grand Prix. The last event, was in 1978, seven years before the AGP joined the official Formula 1 World Championship calendar, held on the streets of Adelaide in 1985.
Two World Drivers' Champions won at Sandown: Jack Brabham in 1964 and Jim Clark in 1968.
[ Jack Brabham receives his winners trophy from the legendary Bib Stillwell at the 1964 AGP at Sandown ]
The 1978 event, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Australian Grand Prix, also brought a special guest appearance by the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio, five-time Formula 1 World Champion.
Driving his powerful in-line 8 cylinder factory Mercedes W196, built for the 1955 and 1956 Formula One championships, Fangio participated in a demonstration “race” alongside Jack Brabham, Bob Jane, and Bill Patterson, creating a memorable exhibition for fans.
However, although it is widely known that Fangio had stated he was “there to race”, and not to run around doing demonstration laps, Brabham 'won' the demonstration race, just ahead of Fangio, with Patterson and Jane some distance behind in 3rd and 4th.
Fangio was also upset that he could not wear his customary T-Shirt in which he used to race with back in the day, as the regulations had changed and he was forced to wear long sleeves.
The YouTube video below showcases this wonderful moment in 1978.
The winners of the Australian Grands Prix held at Sandown Raceway are:
1964: Jack Brabham
1968: Jim Clark
1972: Graham McRae
1973: Graham McRae
1976: John Goss
1973: Graham McRae
The Tasman Series
Sandown played a major role throughout the largely acclaimed Tasman Series hosting a round of the series every year between 1964 and 1975.
The Tasman Series for those who are unaware, was created with the aim of bridging the European Formula 1 off-season, bringing world-class racing to the Southern Hemisphere. Sandown was selected as one of the key venues in Australia, alongside circuits in New Zealand, making it part of a truly international series.
Many Formula 1 stars, including legends like Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Bruce McLaren, Jack Brabham, Denny Hulme and Graham Hill, participated, the regulations allowing them to race in high-powered, 2.5-liter cars, similar to F1 cars, however not constrained by the European championship regulations.
Known as the Sandown International, the race became a marquee event in the series. Drivers and teams would often come straight from the New Zealand legs of the series, which created a seamless and highly competitive racing calendar across both countries.
The layout of Sandown, with its long straights and sweeping turns, encouraged the drivers of these high-powered Tasman cars to reach impressive speeds, making the annual Sandown meeting a fan favourite, allowing local motor racing enthusiasts the rare opportunity to see their international heroes racing up close on home soil.
Throughout the 1960's and 70’s, Sandown saw intense battles between local heroes and international stars. For example, Jim Clark, one of the most successful drivers in Tasman Series history, won multiple races at Sandown, further elevating the track’s prestige. In 1965, Clark secured victory at Sandown in a Lotus, showcasing his skill in front of enthusiastic Australian fans.
Jackie Stewart - Tasman Series - Sandown 1967
Pic: autopics.com.au
Sandown hosted many memorable races during the life of the Tasman Series. The 1965 event, where Jim Clark drove his legendary Lotus to a stunning victory, remains one of the most celebrated moments in Australian motorsport.
Another unforgettable race took place in 1968, when Clark won again, just 0.1 seconds ahead of New Zealander Chris Amon’s Ferrari in a thrilling finish that is still remembered as one of the series’ closest.
Jim Clark with his winners trophy – Tasman Series Sandown 1968. Pic: autopics.com.au
On a tragic note, the legendary Jim Clark died in April 1968 in Germany, only months after securing his last major wins, the 1968 Tasman Series and Australian Grand Prix at Sandown.
With the rise of Formula 5000 cars the Tasman Series struggled in the later years. Although the American V8 powered Formula 5000 cars were integrated into the series, the interest of European drivers waned, and eventually, the previously successful championship ended in 1975.
Sandown continued to host significant events, but the Tasman Series' end marked the closing of an era of international competition on Australian soil.
However, the four Australian Formula 5000 Tasman races continued (separate from the New Zealand races) as the Rothmans International Series from 1976 until 1979, becoming a competitive Australian/New Zealand local championship.
The field would be dominated by the cream of "Down Under" drivers such as Frank Matich, Frank Gardner, Kevin Bartlett, Vern Schuppan, Graeme McRae, Graeme Lawrence, Warwick Brown, Johnnie Walker, John McCormack, Alan Jones, John Goss, Larry Perkins, John Bowe and Garrie Cooper.
Australia's John Goss – Matich A53 Repco - 1975 Tasman Series Sandown.
Pic: autoaction.com.au
Internationals from Europe and the US, Including David Hobbs, Terry Pilette, Mike Hailwood, Sam Posey, Richard Attwood and Peter Gethin were attracted to the Formula 5000 series, keen to compete against Australia’s best open wheel racers.
This series continued until 1979, after which Australia belatedly moved to Formula Pacific.
Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC)
During the 1970s, Sandown International Raceway also became a cornerstone to the development of touring car racing in Australia, hosting events for the Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC) and the now-famous Sandown 500 endurance race which began in 1964 as a 6 hour endurance race.
The races of this era contributed greatly to Sandown’s reputation for thrilling, high-stakes battles between Australian car manufacturers featuring iconic muscle cars like the Ford Falcon GTHO, Holden Monaro, and later, the mighty Torana and Falcon GT Coupe with names such as Peter Brock, Allan Moffat, Kevin Bartlett and Colin Bond all making their mark on this incredible race track.
Allan Moffat – XB Hardtop Coupe on his way to victory. Sandown 1974.
Pic: autoaction.com.au
Many of the historic cars featured in this article, will be on track and on display at the annual VHRR Equity One 32nd Historic Sandown, conducted between November 8th-10th 2024.
More information is available here on our website. Patrons under 17 years of age are free to enter if accompanied by an adult.
Authors: Trent Collett / Paul Beranger
Resources:
wikipedia