1973 New Zealand Grand Prix

The 1973 New Zealand Grand Prix was a race held at the Pukekohe Park Raceway on 6 January 1973. The race had 20 starters.

1973 New Zealand Grand Prix
Race 1 of 7 in 1973 Tasman Series
Race details
Date	6 January 1973
Location	Pukekohe Park Raceway, Pukekohe, New Zealand
Course	Permanent racing facility
Course length	2.82 km (1.76 mi)
Distance	58 laps, 164 km (102 mi)
Weather	Light Cloud
Pole position
Driver	Frank Matich	Matich-Repco
Fastest lap
Driver	Graham McRae	McRae-Chevrolet
Time	1:07.7
Podium
First	John McCormack	Elfin-Repco
Second	Alan Rollinson	McRae-Chevrolet
Third	Steve Thompson	Chevron-Chevrolet

It was the 19th New Zealand Grand Prix, and doubled as the first round of the 1973 Tasman Series. Australian John McCormack won his first NZGP in his Elfin MR5 who finished ahead of Britons Allan Rollinson and Steve Thompson. The first New Zealand driver to finish was Graham McRae in the McRae GM1 who came in 4th place.

After the fatal accident of Bryan Faloon the previous year, two chicanes were added to circuit in a bid to slow the cars down. One was placed down the back straight and the other was just before the main straight. These chicanes were very artificial, with them being made up of concrete kerbing, railway sleepers and tractor tyres.