1974 Hamilton Grand Prix, New Zealand

On April 6, 1974, Hamilton MCC organised their second 'motorcycle grand prix' at what was named the 'Founders Street Circuit', marked out on closed public roads in the centre of Hamilton city, New Zealand!

The track layout mainly followed the perimeter streets of the city's most Central Park, including Bryce Street, Mill Street, Seddon Road, Frankton Roundabout, past Founders Theatre, London Street and Rostrevor Street. The start/finish was in Tristram Street.

Alan Collison won the production race on a Kawasaki triple.

The popular charity event (only by being a charity event would the Council and affected residents agree to the road closures and noise) was marred by tragedy when an accident in a support class at Frankton Roundabout resulted in fatal injuries for a young spectator watching in a prohibited area.

In hindsight, the club was probably stretched to have enough qualified marshals to control such a large public event, with the police only seen in substantial numbers after the fatal accident.

The main 'grand prix' and sidecar race still went ahead after the fatality, but the event was not held at Founders Street again, although the HMCC ran another event using part of the scenic drive around Hamilton Lake and residential areas, again pretty much in the central city area.

Film by Alan McLaren.

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