New Zealand Grand Prix (1961)

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On January 7 1961 the New Zealand Grand Prix took place.

The race is an annual motor racing event held in New Zealand, first run in 1950. Currently it is the signature race of the Toyota Racing Series. It is one of only two current national Grand Prix events that are not part of the Formula One Calendar, the other being the Macau Grand Prix. Once an important race on the international calendar, most notably when it was a part of the Tasman Series, with the current domination of Formula One the race has become rather less prestigious. The Tasman Series was a motor racing competition held annually from 1964 to 1975 over a series of races in New Zealand and Australia. The Tasman Series races were held in January through to late February or early March of each year, during the Formula One off season, taking advantage of winter in the Northern Hemisphere to attract many top drivers to summer in the south.

The 1961 New Zealand Grand prix took place at Ardmore Airfield in Manurewa, Auckland. The race attracted many famous drivers such as Bruce McLaren, Graham Hill, Jim Clark, Stirling Moss and eventual race winner Jack Brabham.

This film clip of the Grand Prix was produced by the National Film Unit. The National Film Unit was established to publicise New Zealand's participation and achievements during the Second World War. After 1945 the Film Unit expanded from producing weekly newsreels to making documentaries and films to the order of Government Departments. During its existence the Film Unit produced films for national organisations as well as many films on its own initiative. The private film industry in New Zealand relied heavily on the National Film Unit's extensive film processing facilities.

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DV file of Beta SP telecine of 35mm film- W3606/f/5.

BITC 154