Webmasters Note : The Lakeside International was a
Non-Championship event in 1965. It was such a fine
race though I've included it anyway.
The Lakeside International 99, though not counting
in the Tasman series, managed to attract trophy
winner Jim Clark, and through the consistent
determined effort of Frank Matich to head this
ex-world champion provided more than enough proof
that the "big banger" open wheelers are far from a
gone thing.
Clark made his first acquaintance with the circuit
on the Wednesday on arrival from Longford and, after
scouting the track, reluctantly accepted a $1000
offer to attack the magic 100 mph lap, requiring a
3.7 sec. cut in Matich's existing record.
Saturday's official practice session saw Clark come
out on the heels of Matich and, as expected, find
the fast curves of Lakeside a trifle challenging.
Matich quickly got under his record, going around
'blindfold', but Clark showed noticeable hairiness
through the Esses. Clark, however, quickly got the
hang of the left-hander in the straight, being the
first of the big hangers to take this sweep without
backing off.
Ten laps of practice around the minute perhaps
instilled over-confidence, as Clark spun beautifully
in the Karrussell, but soon regaining the feel of
things to open out, finding the straightest line
from BP to KLG sweeping down through Shell from the
East loop to drift through the left-hander and cut a
few tenths off Matich's times.
The first session ended with Clark on 55.5 secs.,
Matich on 56.2 and Gardner 57.2. Cusack comfortably
headed the 1500cc section with a rattling 58.5 in
the immaculately prepared Brabham, resplendent in
the colours of his new sponsor.
The late afternoon session afforded Clark the
opportunity to consolidate, and with a fantastic 55
sec. lap look a firm grip on pole position. Matich
got down to 55.5 and Gardner 56.4. Grant, Martin and
Geoghegan all cracked the minute.
MATICH FIRST AWAY
The field of 13 filled the grid for the 99-mile
classic well on time, Clark appearing the obvious
favourite. Matich pushed the revs way up through the
lower gears to head Clark into the Karrussell,
followed by Cusack, Gardner, Martin and Grant all in
a huddle.
Matich completed the standing lap in 61.7, just
three-tenths ahead of Clark, both cars now well
clear of Gardner and the pack on his heels. This
three-tenths gap remained, often lessening but never
opening up as Matich and Clark set about giving a
demonstration the like of which few people ever have
the fortune to witness.
WALKER CRASHES
Cusack
managed to head Martin and Grant for three laps, the
big Brabham of Martin edging past in the straight on
lap 4 to start a tussle that lasted for the next 10
laps. Geoghegan, Ampt and Walker remained in close
company, all lapping around 61 seconds till lap 7
when Walker braked late into the Karrussel, sliding
out into gravel to be launched sideways over the new
earth mound of Skyline. The little Brabham landed in
fair condition but Walker thrown from the cockpit,
landed astride a wire fence to receive numerous
bruises and an injured knee.
The pace remained fast, Clark often closing right
under the Brabham's gearbox in an effort to pin
Matich, both cars lapping in around 56 secs, well
clear of Gardner in thrid place. Matich now ran into
trouble and it appeared that his gallant effort
would come to a premature end as the Brabham jumped
out of third gear on the run into the Karrussel.
Clark was given the 'over the motor' go-through
sign, but was too far back to make up the ground
before Matich got under way again.
The same thing occurred again down into KLG and,
sensing by now that things were wrong, Clark pushed
up hard into the Karrussell to find Matich going
well, avoiding collision by a hair's breadth as
Matich accelerated through. The glory was short
lived as Matich pitted after 18 laps, to find the
distributor rotor button wrecked. Unfortunately on
this stop a plug was removed for checking but the
helicoil thread came with it!
MATICH OUT FOR NINE LAPS
 The replacement cost Matich nine laps, and on
regaining the track, beckoned the flying Clark
through, then set sail to give another demonstration
of superb driving. Matich warmed things up again,
and on entering the straight on Clark's heel,
performed one of the neatest manoeuvres witnessed in
gathering in the Lotus to once more head the ex
World Champ.
The crowd was once more enlivened as the local hero
showed the way around, and the fact that Matich was
actually 8 laps behind seemed of no importance.
Clark excepted the challenge and in doing so made a
great race of it.
Gardner was now firmly entrenched in second place
followed by Martin, Cusack and Grant. Geoghegan
headed Ampt, Scott and Ayers in the baby class all
well lost to the flying Cusack.
Clark and Matich continued the duel to flagfall the
two cars seperated by a coat of paint (and eight
laps). Clark having completed all 65 laps well under
the old record. Matich completed 58 laps and had the
satisfaction of heading Clark for all of them,
giving a demonstration of dogged, persistent ability
that swelled all with pride.
Clark scored the new outright lap record at 54.9
secs. (Matich managed 55.4 secs.) to win easily from
Gardner with Martin third. Grant did a series of
beatiful spins from the East loop down through Shell
on the last lap. Cusack easily won the 1500cc
section from Geoghegan, Scott and Ampt.
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