F5000s and the Tasman Revival Series

Formula 5000s have headlined the NZ Festival of Motor Racing since it’s inception in 2010 and the single seater V8 machines, which are an absolute crowd please, will continue to wow crowds at future NZFMR events, which are now the home of the Tasman Revival Series.

Here is the history of the now Tasman Revival Series, which was first known as simply the Tasman Series.

In 1964, the legendary Tasman Series was run for the first time. The series started annually in New Zealand in early January and comprised of four events held respectively at Pukekohe, Levin, Wigram and Teretonga race tracks over consecutive weekends.

On completion of the New Zealand leg of the Tasman series, many cars and drivers crossed the Tasman Sea to continue the series at four (sometimes three) race tracks in Australia.

From 1964 until 1969, racing cars were essentially Formula One or Formula Two cars that ran to regulations specified for the ‘Tasman Formula’. The series attracted big name drivers and huge interest from motor sports enthusiasts and media all over the world – putting New Zealand firmly on the map as a motor racing centre.

Series winners 1964-1969

• 1964 Bruce McLaren NZ – Cooper T70
• 1965 Jim Clark UK – Lotus 32B
• 1966 Jackie Stewart UK – BRM P261
• 1967 Jim Clark UK – Lotus 33
• 1968 Jim Clark UK -Lotus 49T
• 1969 Chris Amon NZ – Ferrari 246T

From 1970 – 1975 the Tasman Formula changed to allow the big Formula 5000 V8 cars to race. With the change of specification for cars, and apart from Chris Amon, few ‘stars’ or F1 international drivers competed any further in the Tasman Series.

However, there were many quality international F5000/Formula A drivers who did compete including those from Australia, NZ, UK, USA, Sweden and Belgium.

Series winners 1970-1975

• 1970 Graeme Lawrence NZ – Ferrari 246T
• 1971 Graham McRae NZ – McLaren M10B
• 1972 Graham McRae NZ – McRae GM1
• 1973 Graham McRae NZ – McRae GM1
• 1974 Peter Gethin UK – Chevron B24
• 1975 Warwick Brown AUS – Lola T332

Even today, the lasting popularity of these amazing cars in New Zealand can be clearly seen by the fact that the biggest F5000 retro series in the world is held on these shores – the Tasman Revival Series.

Tasman Revival Series

In 2003 the Historic Racing Club (HRC) launched the Tasman Revival Series in New Zealand as part of their annual summer classic and historic motor race series. The event has been held annually at Pukekohe. Taupo became involved as well in 2008 and 2009. A feature of the annual HRC Tasman Revival Series has been the Tasman Grand Prix trophy, awarded to the winning F5000 car in the Tasman Revival GP race. The Tasman Revival Series will be part of the NZ Festival of Motor Racing.