Formula A: The SCCA’s Gift to the World

In the late 60’s New Zealand Motor Racing found itself in a bind. A few years earlier the Tasman Formula had been written to keep the local fleet of older 2.5-litre ex F1 cars in play. But now the more modern Formula 2, and even a few of the National Formula 1600 cc cars, were embarrassing the older ones. Visiting cars from Europe were either bigger engined ex 1.5-litre F1  cars, or new designs for the upcoming 3-litre F1 with capacity reduced engines, leaving Motor Sport New Zealand with a dilemma.  Whichever way you looked at it, it was going to be expensive.

The SCCA appears have come to the same conclusion, with a 1967 amendment to their Formula A allowing Stock Block engines. The gate was open for others to do the same. At the last SCCA race of 1968 SCCA teams were approached, by a New Zealand delegation, to demonstrate their cars in New Zealand. Four teams took up the challenge, and the Kiwi’s liked the look of it. Within the year Formula A was a main stream category with Championships for it unfolding in Europe, South Africa, and the Tasman Countries.

This presentation looks at the nitty gritty of that first Kiwi Formula A race, as seen through the eyes of this presenter in 1968.

Trevor Lister holds Degrees from the University of Canterbury in Mechanical Engineering and Physics. On graduation he joined the New Zealand Ministry of Transport, setting and administrating Automotive Safety Standards. This included standards and protocols for the use of gaseous fuels (CNG and LPG) in motor vehicles. He has served as the New Zealand delegate to the International Association for Natural Gas Vehicles. This led to Consultancy in South Est Asia and South America. He has built and raced competition cars as well as served as a safety scrutineer for Motor Sport New Zealand and occasionally as Clerk of Course for motorsport events. Now retired from active racing he serves as Editor for the Newsletters of the Classic Motor Racing Club of New Zealand.

This episode is part of our HISTORY OF MOTORSPORTS SERIES and is sponsored in part by: The International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC), The Society of Automotive Historians (SAH), The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Argetsinger Family - and was recorded in front of a live studio audience.

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00:00 Introduction and Sponsors

00:16 Introduction to Auto Racing Superstitions

01:59 Green Car Superstitions

06:09 Number 13 and Other Unlucky Numbers

08:13 Peanut Shells and Racing

10:31 Pre-Race Rituals and Superstitions

12:16 Famous Drivers and Their Superstitions

18:53 The Clairvoyant's Prediction

21:03 Q&A Session

24:48 Closing Remarks and Credits