The Chronicle

BULAWAYO, Friday, March 3, 1967 — John Love, Bulawayo’s racing idol, has been invited to drive a brand new car at the Race of Champions at Brad’s Hatch, near London, on Sunday next week.

But Love in Johannesburg for a race meeting at Kyalami tomorrow, knows nothing about it. The news came yesterday from our London correspondent.

He said: “Love has been invited to drive for the JA Pearce racing team, which has entered two Martin V8s and a Ferrari three-litre GT.” The team’s other drivers will be Tony Lafranchi in one V8 and Chris Lawrence in the Ferrari. Australian Paul Hawkins is another member of the team. The news astonished Love in Johannesburg last night. “I have been approached by the Pearce organisation”, he said, “to drive for them this season. But no definite details have been settled.

“I would fly to London like a shot, if I received a firm offer. But I think the new car cannot be competitive proposition at the moment, and it would mean weeks of trials before it proved itself. I think what has happened is that Mr Pearce has entered my name as a reserve driver and the Press picked it up,” added Love.

He is due to race in South Africa at Easter, but hopes the mysterious invitation can be clarified within the next day or so, so that he could arrive in England in time for Brad’s Hatch race if it is confirmed.

Among the world’s top 20 drivers due to appear at Brad’s Hatch are world champion Jack Brabham, Denny Hulme, Jochen Rindt, Pedro Rodriguez, Dan Gurney, Richie Ginther, John Surtees and Bruce McLaren — all of whom, with the exception of Rodriguez, Love beat in the South African Grand Prix in January. In that race, he was leading when he ran out of fuel near the end.