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International Lady Wigram Trophy race, 100 miles

Advertisement for the 100-mile International Lady Wigram Trophy at Wigram on Saturday 6 February 1954 featuring Wharton (B.R.M.), Whitehead (Ferrari), Gaze (H.W.M.), Roycroft and McMillan (Alfa Romeo) and Shuter (Edelbrock Special).

news

B.R.M. arrives in Christchurch: test drive along runway

The B.R.M. arrived at Christchurch Airport on an RNZAF Bristol Freighter from Paraparaumu and 37-year-old Ken Wharton drove it along the runway at about 150mph. Large crowds viewed the car at a store that evening. It will race Whitehead's Ferrari, Gaze's H.W.M. and local drivers at Wigram.

Facts

  • Ken Wharton drove the B.R.M. along the Christchurch Airport runway at about 150mph on 2 February 1954.
photo

English car in Wigram motor race

The 200mph B.R.M., displayed in a Christchurch shop after arriving by air from Wellington, with Ken Wharton at the wheel. The car cost 350,000 pounds and is one of three in the world.

Photos

  • This 200-mile-an-hour B.R.M. car, displayed in a Christchurch shop soon after its arrival, will compete in the Lady Wigram Trophy at Wigram on Saturday. At the wheel is Ken Wharton.
Read the OCR text
3-2-54 International LADY WIGRAM TROPHY RACE 100 MILES ana Supporting Races SEE ENGLAND'S BEST K. WHARTON (B.R.AA.) P. N. WHITEHEAD (FERRARI) ALSO OF NE RON ROYCROFT (ALFA ROMEO) F. A. O.. GAZE (H.W.M.) W ZEALAND JOHN MeMILLAN (ALFA ROMEO) FRANK SHUTER (EDELBROCK SPECIAL) ADMISSION: ADULTS 5/- CHILDREN & CARS 1/6. GATES OPEN 9 A.M. RACING COMMENCES 10 A.M. City Traffic use Vickery's or Middle Lincoln Read. Catering by C.C.L. Food Services. Hot Water, Pies and Package Lunches available. 3-2-54 B.R.. ARRIVES IN CHRISTCHURCH TEST DRIVE ALONG RUNWAY COMPETITOR IN WIGRAM RACE The B.R.M. to compete in the Lady Wigram trophy race at Wigram Saturday was unloaded yesterday afternoon from a Royal New Zealand Air Force Bristol Freighter at Christchurch airport, and Ken Wharton, the 37-year-old British racing champion, drove it along the runway. "Everything was perfectly all right." Wharton said after his drive. • The B.R.M. touched about 150 miles an hour along the runway. The Bristol Freighter, which brought the car from Paraparaumu, landed about 1, p.m., and within minutes a considerable crowd collected to see the fastest racing car in the world. Last evening, when the car was on show in a Christchurch store, large crowds gathered about the car, admiring its finish, and marvelling at its clearance. Everything about the sleek green car is strictly utilitarian. The seat is upholstered in a light grey, material, the steering wheel is wood-rimmed on an alloy base, and the facia is made of alloy holding one central instrument, a strip tachometer to measure the motor revolutions. On Saturday the B.R.M. will compete at Wigram airfield against the Ferrari to be driven by Peter Whitehead, of England. the H.W.M. to be driven Tony Gaze, of England, and a galaxy of local drivers. 3-2-54 ENGLISH CAR IN WIGRAM MOTOR RACE-This 200-mile-an-hour B.R.M. car, shown displayed in a Christchurch shop late yesterday afternoon soon after its arrival by air from Wellington, will compete wheel is Ken in the Lady Wigram Trophy motor race of 100 miles at Wigram on Saturday. At the is one Wharton, one of Britain's foremost drivers. The car was developed at a cost of 2 350,000, and foremost drivers. Tee of three in the world WIGRAM, SAT., Feb. 6th (Promoted by Motor Racing Club.)

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