19-12-52 NO MOTOR-CYCLE RACE IN PARK WIGRAM COURSE TO BE SOUGHT CITIZEN'S MOVE FOR INJUNCTION The motor-cycle road race to raise funds for the International Air Race, originally planned for a circuit in and round Hagley Park, will now be held eisewhere. probably on the perimeter airstrips at Wigram. This was decided yesterday at meeting between the Mayor (Mr R. M. Mactarlane, M.P.) and the chairman of the Christchurch i motor-cycle clubs* joint committee (Mr T. R. McCleary). "The City Council was notified in the morning that an injunction IEstraining it from conducting the race would be sought by a citizen of Christchurch in the Supreme Court at 3 р.m. said Mr Maciarlane last evening. "I had a talk with Mr McCleary later in the morning I would like ta state that the only desire of the motor-cycling organisations was to assist in raising funds, particularly for the aIr тасе. The motor-çycling ¡leaders are to be thanked and commended for the generous offer of their services. "I got the impression from Mr Mc- Cleary that the motor-cycle clubs were not particularly keen on the through the park." resentatives it i said. touch with rep- Race Council and of the Save the Kiwi Fund, the two bodies associated in representations to the City Counci the interests concerned agreed that it another anothere wise ton which to told the circuit on which to hold Consequently the motion was withdrawn. effort will be made to have the race held at Wigram. I will get in touch with the Minister of Defence (Mr T. L. Macdonaid) as 500Д as possible to see whether it can be held there. If it is not possible then we will have to consider holding It ОД the airstrips at the municipal airport. "I am sure that the councillors who voted for the race in the park were encouraged to do. so only by desire to help the air race funds, their said would not like the "I would appeal for support for the alr race to suffer in any way because of the controversy which has arisen. It is wonderful. that we in Christchurch are able to have such an outstanding event, and it deserves the utmost financial support. Because of the public feeling aroused by the suggestion _to hold the race through Hagley Park, motorcycling representatives met on Wedi nesday evening, said decidedleaty i last evening. They deeided approach the Save the Kiwi Fund organisers and the Air Race Council, who had asked the motor-cycle clubs to hold the race. and ask them to consider a different circuit, as sug- ¡gested by some members of the City Council "The Mayor asked me whether it was desired to contest the granting of an injunction, and I explained the ¡ decision reached at the meeting the : previous evening. I said could speak for the Air Race Council and the Save the Kiwi Fund organisers. NIr Macfarlane suggested that Wigram might be used for the race, and said this was quite satisfactory, though not as good as the Hagley Park circuit. 19-12-52 22 - 12-52 7-1-53 WIGRAM COURSE NOT LIKELY FOR MOTOR-CYCLING Minister Considers it Would Harm Training Wellington Correspondent WIGRAM is unlikely to be the venue of the motor. WIGRAM is unlikely to be the venue of the motorerele race at first planned to be held around and through Hagle! Park to raise funds for the International Air Race between the United Kingdom and Christchurch. The Mini donald) had: resulted in the venue for the ister of Defen not heard of e interested bo event. But when it was menti that the R.N.Z.A.F. Statio gested as an alternative enthusiastic. He pointed out that a commitment had been entered into to allow one day's motor-racing at Wigram a year, and his first reaction to an approach * to hold a motorcycle event was that it would not be possible for any further interruption of training on that station to be sanctioned. If the Minister refuses use of Wigram, the Mayor (Mr R. M. Macfariane, M.P.) will try to arrange to hold the event on the taxi-strips of Christchurch Airport. In the event of the airport being used, the race would probably be held on a Sunday. The present intention is to hold the race early in March as intensive organisation will be necessary. *I would not like the appeal for support for the air race to suffer nee (the Hon I. L. Macthe public agitation which dies deciding to seek a new oned to him this afternoon n, Wigram, had been sugvenue he was far from in any way because of the controversy which has arisen. "It is wonderful that we in Christchurch are able to have such an outstanding event, and it deserves the utmost financial support, said the Mayor. "I am sure the councillors who voted for the race in the park were encouraged to do so only by their desire to help the air race funds." Injunction Move A prominent city business man, Mr G. W. Skellerup, yesterday had papers prepared • to apply for an injunction in the Supreme Court on the City Council to restrain it from conducting the motor-cycle race around and through Hagley Park. The injunction was to have been sought in the Supreme Court at 3 m. yesterday, but when Mr Skelerup learned that it had been agreea by the motorcyclists' representative and the International Air Race Council and Kiwi Restoration Committee to seek an alternative venue for the race, he withdrew his motion. Motor-Cycle Race January 24 had been selected as the date for the motor-cycle race to raise funds for the Canterbury International Air Race Council. This was announced last evening by the chairman of the Christchurch motor-cycle clubs joint committee (vt I. R. McCleary). Arrangements, he said, were well in hand and good entries were expected. T'he Mayor (Mr R. M. Macfarlane, M.P.) said last evening that he would try to communicate with the Minister of Defence Mr T. L Macdonald) today seeking the use of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Station, Wigram, for the race. 5-9-53 USE OF WIGRAM CIRCUIT FOR RACE GRANTED Wigram will be the venue of the motor-cycle race meeting to raise funds for the International Air Race Council and the Kiwi Restoration Appeal Committee. The meeting will be held on Saturday, January 24. storm of protests marked all earlier decision to have the race through Hagley Park. This decision was reached by the Christchurch City Council, after a division. The opposition to the proposal was so strong that efforts were made to have the race held elsewhere s The problem has now been, solved through the Minister of Defence (the Hon T. L. Macdonald) giving consent to the use of the circuit at the R.N.Z.A.F. Station, Wigram. Advice from the Minister's department was received by telephone this morning by the Town Clerk (Mr H. S. Feast). Mr Feast said later that the availability of Wigram would meet all difficulties and criticism. The Minister's action would be appreciated by all concerned with the race. 4192230 SATURDAY, JANARY 17th. PROGRAMME OF MOTOR RACES. CIRCUIT-MCCORMICKS BAY CAUSE- WAY. ROADS CLOSE 2 P.M. ROADS CLOSE 2 P.M. Be in your position Early. Grand Benefit Meeting. Proceeds to Air Race Funds. ADMISSION: Adults 2/-, Children 1/-. Sponsored by Motor Racing Club 50z3! 10-9-53 CRACK DRIVERS ENTER FOR SATURDAY'S RACE PECTATORS should have a chance of seeing local drivers in action at fairly close range and should be able to follow the racing over the whole circumference of the course at the Motor Racing Club's meeting next Saturday. The club, which will hold the events in aid of the International Air Race Fund, will use a circuit taking in Sumner Causeway and the road around McCormacks Bay. Main vantage point will be the (Cooper 1000), and Frank Snuter (V bluf overlooking the area on the Special). Sumner side of the bay and from Considerable interest will centre there onlookers will be in a posi-l upon Des Wild's new 17 litre Alta tion to see the drivers racing atl which will make its frst competition much closer range than is the case appearance next Saturday. elther at the Mairehau circuit or The circuit is about two miles in at the R.N.Z.A.F. Station, Wigram. circumference and the club intends The racing may give some indica- to run a series of ten and twentytion of form for the New Zealand mile races with anything up to Road Racing Championship at Maire. eight cars racing : at a time. Lap speeds should be. high and there hau on January 31. Mainly local drivers will be com- Should be some close racing for the: peting. They will include Hee Green club is renowned for its excellent! TR.A. Vanguard), Hec McLean | handicapping.