The second iteration of the New Zealand International Grand Prix saw the introduction of heats to determine the starting grid positions for the main race.

The modified layout from the previous years race to mitigate the slew of cars spinning at the west end of the circuit was retained for the 1955 event.

It was immediately apparent that speeds had drastically increased from the previous year and Bira, with his formidable Maserati 250F and methanol blend fuel mixture, was the fastest of them all in early practice.

Down the pack, local driver Fred Zambucka had trouble negotiating College Corner and spun into the hay bales three times during the course of the race.

Australian Stan Coffey exceeded expectations by jostling among the leading pack in the early part of the race before being forced to retire due to oil pressure on lap 16.