1962 South African GP
South African Grand Prix |
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East London |
December 29, 1962 |
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Ecurie Maarsbergen |
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Porsche 718 (202) |
No: 15 |
Q: 16 |
R: 11 |
C: GP |
A World Championship Grand Prix was held in South Africa for the first time and although Ferrari and Porsche didn’t take part, all the British teams were there, as well as a number of local drivers and of course, Carel Godin de Beaufort. Carel was pleased with his new car at East London but was well off the pace during qualifying. He was last on the grid.
Soon after the start of the race the Championship battle seemed to be won by Clark, who was in great form and put up a gap of thirty seconds at half distance. But then the oil pressure of the Climax in the back of his Lotus dropped dramatically. Clark retired and the championship went to Hill, who celebrated by also taking victory in the race. Carel retired on lap 70 of 82, due to a broken fuel pump, but was nevertheless classified 11th overall.
Carel finished 16th in the World Championship and was awarded the Von Trips Trophy for best privateer by the Grand Prix Drivers Association.
(Rob Young archives)