N.Z. DRIVER’S YEAR OF DECISION
“The Preu” Special Service AUCKLAND. The 1965-66 motor racing season will probably be one of decision for the national single-seat racing champion, Jim Palmer of Hamilton, who is 23.
In New Zealand there are no fresh worlds to conquer. He has been champion twice on successive occasions and is set for a third win this season.
At Pukekohe recently. Palmer, in the Lotus 328 which the world champion, Jim Clark, drove last year, gave a first-class display of driving. Although using the “tired old motor” (Palmer’s phrase) of last season, car and driver were not in the least pressed. Preparing Car
In preparation at the moment is a new 2.5-litre Coven-try-Climax motor with which to compete against the overseas internationals at the New Zealand Grand Prix meeting on January 8 and in other Tasman championship races here and in Australia.
The car will be running in the official Lotus team colours of bright green with a yellow stripe, although the connexion with the factory is a tenuous one. The Lotus team chief, Mr Colin Chapman, has, for years, wanted Palmer to “have a go” in Europe, and is giving him
considerable assistance and advice with preparation of the car for this season. From the outset of his racing career, Palmer has been fast, consistent and safe. His times in the Lotus XV sports he used for a couple of seasons were among the world's fastest for this type of car, and in big single-seaters he has been capable of lap times only a second or two outside those of visiting internationals. Next year would be a good time for Palmer to go to Europe. The world championship formula will change: on January 1 to motors of three litres—twice the size of those in use for the last five years. If Mr Chapman cares to renew his invitation to Palmer this season, it is likely that very quickly the Hamilton driver will be adding his name to those of Bruce McLaren, Dennis Hulme and Chris Amon—all New Zealanders well established overseas.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30940, 22 December 1965, Page 15
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345N.Z. DRIVER’S YEAR OF DECISION Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30940, 22 December 1965, Page 15
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