The 1966 Australian Drivers' Championship was a CAMS sanctioned Australian motor racing title for drivers of racing cars complying with either the Australian National Formula or the Australian 1½ Litre Formula. The winner of the title, which was the tenth Australian Drivers' Championship, was awarded the 1966 CAMS Gold Star.

The championship was won by Spencer Martin driving a Repco-Brabham BT11A Coventry Climax for Bob Jane Racing.

Calendar

The Lotus 32B with which Greg Cusack won the Examiner 1000 at Symmons Plains

The championship was contested over a six-round series with one race per round.

RoundRaceCircuitStateDateRound winnerCar
1Governor's TrophyLakesideQueensland10 JulySpencer MartinRepco Brabham BT11A Coventry Climax
2Surfers Paradise TrophySurfers ParadiseQueensland14 AugustSpencer MartinRepco Brabham BT11A Coventry Climax
3Country Club TrophyMallalaSouth Australia10 OctoberJohn HarveyRepco Brabham BT14 Ford
4Victorian TrophySandownVictoria16 OctoberSpencer MartinRepco Brabham BT11A Coventry Climax
5Examiner 1000Symmons PlainsTasmania13 NovemberGreg CusackLotus 32B Coventry Climax
6Hordern TrophyWarwick FarmNew South Wales4 DecemberKevin BartlettRepco Brabham BT11A Coventry Climax

Each round also incorporated a round of the 1966 Australian One and a Half Litre Championship.

Points system

Championship points were awarded on a 9-6-4-3-2-1 basis to the first six finishers in each round. Only the best five round results could be obtained by each driver.

The championship was open to holders of a General Competition License issued by CAMS.

Results

PositionDriverCarEntrantLak.Sur.Mal.San.Sym.War.Total
1Spencer MartinRepco-Brabham BT11A Coventry ClimaxBob Jane Racing99-9-633
2John HarveyRepco-Brabham BT14 FordRC Phillips4(1)936426
3Kevin BartlettRepco-Brabham BT11A Coventry ClimaxAlec Mildren Racing6--6-921
4Greg CusackLotus 32B Coventry ClimaxCastrol Team-4--9316
5Mike ChampionRepco-Brabham BT2 FordCompetition Cars--62-210
6John MacDonaldCooper T70 Coventry ClimaxBill Patterson Motors-3-4--7
7Leo GeogheganLotus 39 Coventry ClimaxTotal Team-6----6
8Garrie CooperElfin Mono Mk2B FordElfin Sports Cars32----5
Mel McEwinElfin Mono Mk1 FordMel McEwin2---3-5
10Jack HunnamElfin Mono Mk1 FordJack Hunnam Motors--4---4
John McCormackRepco-Brabham BT4 Coventry ClimaxJ McCormack----4-4
12Stan KeenElfin Mono Mk1 FordStan Keen--3---3
Glyn ScottLotus 27 FordGlyn Scott Motors----213
14Dean RainsfordElfin Catalina FordTudor Accessories--2---2
15Ian FergusonElfin Catalina FordIan Ferguson1-----1
Jim OrrAustin SpecialJim Orr--1---1
Bob JaneElfin Mono Mk1 FordBob Jane Racing---1--1
Lyn ArcherElfin Catalina FordL Archer Motors----1-1

Note:

  • Kerry Grant placed sixth at Lakeside however the New Zealand driver was not awarded championship points.
  • Roly Levis placed sixth at Surfers Paradise however the New Zealand driver was not awarded championship points.
  • Frank Gardner (Repco-Brabham) won the Hordern Trophy but was not awarded championship points as he was not classified as an "Australian Resident".

Notes and references

Further reading

  • Jim Shepherd, A History of Australian Motor Sport, 1980
  • Australian Motor Racing Annual, 1967
  • Martin the Master at Lakeside, Racing Car News, August 1966, pages 20–21
  • Martin Scores Magnificent Gold Star, Racing Car News, September 1966, pages 34–36
  • Harvey Wins by Large Margin, The Advertiser, 11 October 1966
  • Harvey Heads for 1½ Litre Title, Racing Car News, November 1966, page 34
  • Solid Sandown, Racing Car News, December 1966, page 18
  • Cusack's Luck Changes, Racing Car News, December 1966, pages 34–35
  • Spencer Martin – Australia's Champion, Racing Car News, January 1967, pages 28–29

External links