Gurney Wins French G.P.In Brabham

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30480, 30 June 1964, Page 15

Gurney Wins French G.P.In Brabham

(N.Z.P A.-Reuter —Copyright >

ROUEN (France), June 28. Dan Gurney of the United States, driving a BrabhamClimax, today won the French Grand Prix at Rouen, fourth race in this year’s, world championship series. Graham Hill of Britain, driving a 8.R.M., was second and Jack Brabham of Australia, at the wheel of a Brabham, was third. The reigning world champion, Jim Clark of Britain, driving a Lotus, led until the 30th lap when an oil leak forced him into the pits. He completed one more lap before retiring. Gurney then took over the lead in the 57-lap race over 233 miles and went on to give the Brabham cars their first world championship grand prix victory.

Asked whether he had taken any precaution to avoid the trouble in the Belgian Grand Prix when he ran out of petrol while in a commanding lead on the last lap, Gurney replied: “You bet. We had plenty of fuel aboard this time. There was never any danger.” Gurney had won the event two years ago on the same track in a Porsche. Last year’s race was held at Rheims and was won by Clark.

P. Arundell took fourth place in a Lotus. R. Ginther was fifth in a B.R.M. and Bruce McLaren drove his Cooper into sixth place. Brabham broke the lap record on the 44th circuit with a time of 2min 11.4 sec, averaging 111.39 miles an hour. Previous best was 2:16.9.