19-1-56 19-156 19-9-56 LADY WIGRAM RACE 'WILL BE KEEN TEST OF ENDURANCE' wont racing drivers of the calibre o would compete in the Lady Wigram on Saturday did much to add competition to New Zealand races, said the Mayor Macfarlane, M.P.) this morning when welcome to overseas drivers. Christchurch was fortunate, he said, in having the race and the club which organised it, 'the Motor Racing Club. "The race Will •be a keen test of endurance." he said. 'The race conjures up memories of Sir Henry Wigram, who took such a keen interest. in motoring, and it is fitting that his memory is perpetuated, both in the name of tbe aerodrome and through the trophy donated by his wife." Endorsing the Mayor's Temarks, MI J. Mathison, M.P.,, the patron of the club, said that the amount to stimulate interest visitors would do a tremendo motoring and motor-cycling. .- 'No Congestion' "It is only in the past decade that our Parliament has recognised that motor racing, and particularly motor-cycle racing, should be encouraged, Previously there was no legislation to close roads for racing, but now that is provided for." Although the past ten years had seen much achieved in motor racing, Mr Mathison said that more would be done in the next ten years, due in the main to such visits by noted drivers. He quoted attendance figures of those who Trophy race and interest (Mr R. M. extending a 19-9-56 RACING CARS NOT DAMAGED ON SHIP Damage to racing cars which were shipped to Lytteiton Iron Auckland onl the Navua was done before the cars were loaded, silithe cars were landed at Lyt telton in the same order as they were received at Auckland," said the Lyttelton sub-manager for the company (Mr T. D. McNee). The damage was noted on the bills of lading. He stressed that particular care was taken by the watersiders and the chief officer had watched the operations closely. At the request of the owners' representative, two of the cars had been left on board until after the lunch break, as it was thought , thẹy would be safer there than on the wharf where the public could have touched them. Three cars to-day , required work done to their bodywork. Dents were found in many parts of the bodywork when the drivers took delivery of them. Peter Whitehead's Ferrari had dents in the bonnet and large areas of paint chipped off. The other Ferjar! dents in the tail and side belonging to Tony Gaze, cooling vents. Reg Parnell's Aston Martin was damaged in the tail and the anti-splash guards. "Most people do not realise how soft and easily damaged is the bodywork of a racing car, said MIr Gaze this morning. Mechanics in the city are busy to-day preparing the cars for machine examination which is being carried out at a city garage. Last rught six cars were **amined and more will be examined to-night. at Ardmore as proof of the interest shown by the general public in motor racing. "But there will be no such congestion of traffic here as there was at Ardmore. We have an efficient Traffic De partment partment » and Fransport. De. Local Hopes • Ut the race itself, Mr Mathison . said that he hoped some of the local drivers would beat some of l the overseas visitors. "If it is not this year then it will come some time in the future," he said, quoting the record-• breaking achievements of Russell Wright and Robert Burns as examples of New Zealand's advancements in speed. "I am positive some of New Zealand's drivers will give Sood dacount of themselves on In a short, quiet reply Mr Peter Whitehead thanked the Mayor and council on behalf of the visitors. "Most of us endorse the remarks for fine weather but Reg Parnell hopes for rain," he concluded. Parnell is considered weather Brivers's leading wet- Palmer May Still Be Entrant for Wigram Race A race against time is taking place the North Island. George Palmer, of Hamilton, who had placed a tentative ente in the Lady Wigram Trophi race, found early this week that could not obtain shipping space for his Cooper Bristol car. But last night the organising club received word of a scratching and immediately telegraphed Palmer to make arrangements to take over the bookings. The scratching is that of Fred Zambucka, of Auckland, who was to have driven his Maserati. A further cancellation has been received from John Horton who was entered with his HI.W.M. Confirmation of George Smith's scratching has also been received. Sports Car Entries Two new entries from wellknown New Zealand drivers for the sports car race have been received and one for the saloon race. Halsey Logan, of Nelson, has entered a Palm Beach Allard in the sports car race, and keitn Roper, also Nelson, has entered with a Triumph IR2. In the saloon race W. K. Macdonald, of Amberley, has entered with his particularly fast Ford Zephyr convertible. Drains on Race Circuit to be Sealed "That's a relief." commented one of the risiting English drivers this morning when he learned that the Motor Racing Clab now intends to seal the drains on the car race circuit at the Royal New Zealand Air Force Station at Wigram. Several of the entrants had expressed concern over the. drains, which are covered by wooden blocks and occur at difficult points on the course where cars are taking corners near the hangars. Iwo years ago the drains were the main source of werry to Hen Wharton when he drove the B.R.M. 20-1-56 Traffic to Car Races Orderly Traffic to the car racing at the Royal New Zealand Force Station, Wigram, to-day, started early, and by 9 a.m. there was a steady stream along Riccarton Road. Traffic officers kept the lines and described the moving, traffic heavy Though there was as a strong orderly. easterly, conditions were pleasant for the large attendance which thronged the front and back straights. The wind was sufficient to reduce the speed of several cars and motor-cycles in the long back straight in the earlier races. 20-1-56 OVERSEAS RACING DRIVERS CIVIC WELCOME: EXTENDED "Motor racing is a sport which demands a great amount of endurance and skill. and it is good to see drivers of world renown stimulating interest in New Lealand races, said the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr R. M. Macfariane. M.P.) when he welcomed overseas drivers to the city yesterday. "Christchurch should appreciate the work of the Motor Racing Club which has organised the Lady Wigram trophy race." said Mr Macfarlane. The patron ofthe Motor Racing Club Mr J. Mathison. M.P.) sala 10 was only recently that Parliament had decided to encourage motor racing and rator-cycle racing, and authority was granted for roads to be closed. "Competition is now becoming keener every year." he said The president of the Motor Racing Club (Mr Harvey Croft) also spoke, and Mr Peter Whitehead replied on behalf of the overseas drivers. DAMAGE TO RACING CARS SPECIAL CARE TAKEN IN HANDLING "Whatever condition the racing cars were in before they left Auckland, so far as we know. they were in the same apparent condition when they reached said the Littelton submanager of the Union Steam Ship Company (Mr T. D. McNee) yesterday. Mr McNee was referring to damage to English racing cars found when they arrived in Christchurch on Wednesday. The damage was noted on the bills of lading. and special care was taken by watersiders, said Mr McNee. At the request of a representative the owners of the cars, they had been lett on board the Navua until after lunch, as it had been thought they would be safer there than on the wharf.