Race Proved by Willment Image #10
“No. 3 on the start line at Zeltweg. Frank Gardner behind the wheel. Note the Coupe Cobra on the second row; driver – Innes Ireland.” – Jeff Uren
This photo appears to have been taken as the cars were lining up for the start, and not actually on the
Frank Gardner in Lotus 30 at Austrian GP
Frank qualified the Willment Lotus 30 in 2nd place for the Austrian Grand Prix for sports cars held at Zeltweg. The qualifying times of both Spence (1 min. 8.46 secs.) and Gardner (1 min. 9.76 secs.) were faster than Dan Gurney’s fastest lap record (1 min. 10.56 secs.) that he set in his Brabham-Coventry Climax at the previous year’s F1 race.
Frank proceeded to fall into 3rd place after the start of the race, moving up to 2nd after Spence dropped out. Frank continued to hold this position, only dropping back to the
Lotus 40 Fails Qualifying
This race supposedly marks the first race appearance of the Lotus 40, with Team Lotus driver Mike Spence is at the wheel. After taking the lead at the start, he retired after 13 laps with overheating problems.
First Race for a Lotus 40?
This race is usually considered to be the first race of the Lotus 40. However, MotorSport magazine, which generally only covered F1 and World Championship Sports, had a report on Aug. 30, 1965, Brands Hatch Sports Car race. In that race report it says that Clark’s Lotus 40 was finished in the days prior to the meeting and that, contrary to other reports, it was NOT a 40 that Spence drove at Austrian GP!
The Series 1 Lotus 30 of Victor Wilson can be seen on the left side of this photo. Wilson qualified in 6th but did not finish the race.
Another Lotus 30 can appears to be on the back right side of this photo as well.
Jochen Rindt Wins!
Race winner Jochen Rindt’s Ferrari 250LM can be seen on the right side of this photo. Rindt went on to join Team Lotus. Unfortunately, he became motor racing’s first and hopefully last posthumous World Champion.
Last Updated on March 16, 2019 by Kirk Keyes