18-5-56 LADY WIGRAM CAR RACE PLANNING Plans are well in hand and approval has been given by the Royal New Zealand Air Force for next year's Lady Wigram Trophy, car race on January 26. This was announced this morning by the Motor Racing Club. Application has also been lodged with the Royal Automo bile Club for the event to be recognised as an international one and placed on the international calendar, necessary if top overseas drivers are to compete. Inquiries have already been received from drivers in England, Australia, and the Continent. Supporting Programme The supporting programme is likely to be the same as in the past with races for saloons, sports cars, and motor-cycles. The trophy race will be of 150; miles. AS soon as the rules are approved by the R.A.C. they will be circulated throughout the country. As the race is a fortnight after the New Zealand Grand Prix at Ardmore, record entries are expected Tentative arrangements are also being made for improved grandstand accommodation. 12-7-56 12-7-56 N.Z. CAR-RACING TITLES Choice Of Overseas Drivers NUMBER LIMITED BY FINANCE After receiving dozens of letters from racing drivers and factories throughout the world, the promoters of the five international motor races to be held in New Zealand early next year have now to decide which drivers they will sponsor to compete in the circuit of races. in the to compete will depend on the money The number that can be invited i required to bring them to this country. It appears certain that a large amount of sponsoring money may be saved as a result oi the Australian Grand Prix. which will be held at the time of the Olympic Games in December. Drivers will need to ba brought only from Australia. instead ot direct from Europe. The promoters have said that. ralner than have about two drivers of world championship class, the public would derive more enjoyment from the sport if 10 of the less prominent drivers were invited-men like Baron de Graffenried, Ken _Wharton, Reg Parnell and Peter Whitehead Some New Zealand racing drivers, consider that when world-class drivers are brought to this country with the latest model cars, the New Zealanders lose any possible chance in the races. With drivers such as Wharton, who is outstanding withoui, being a champion, they consider theit chances much more reasonable. The Motor Racing Club is particularly anxious to have Whitehead (who wishes to defend his Lady Wigran! title). Wharton. Horace Gould (Australia). and Parnell to compete in its race I1 aegotiations succeed with those international drivers competing * at the Australian Grand Prix, Christchurch crowds may also see French, Italian. and Swiss drivers at Wigram. Continental Drivers May be Seen at Wigram Depending on the success of negotiations, Christchurch motor-racing enthusiasts may see French, Italian, and Swiss drivers in the next Lady Wigram Trophy Race, as well as others of international repute who Irave already appeared there. The promoters of the five international races to be held in New Zealand early next year have received numerous letters from drivers and factories, and will have to decide which driv. ers they will sponsor. Anxious The Motor Racing Club is particularly anxious to have Peter Whitehead (who wants to; defend his Wigram title), Ken Wharton, Horace Gould, and Reg Parnell, all of whom have been number here before but the that can be invited to compete depend money needed to bring them here. Some New Zealand racing, drivers consider that when world-class drivers bring the latest cars here, the New Zea-s landers lose any possible winning chances, but that they have better prospects against men like Wharton, who is outstanding without being a champion. 21-91-56 £1500 in Prizes For Wigram Trophy Meeting Prize money totalling £1500 will be offered by the Motor Racing Club when the third international Lady Wigram trophy race is held at the Royal New Zealand Air Force Station, Wigram, on January 26. The prospectus, sent to racing drivers in all parts of the world, lists four races-a formula libre trophy, race, a sports cars race, a saloon cars race, and a race for cars not entered in the trophy race. Motor-cycle Races Negotiations to include several motor-cycie races are under way. Since last year's race, the club has bought the grandstands which were used in Christchurch during the Royal tour. These are expected to double the seating , accommodation on the course. The Wigram circuit is the fastest in New Zealand, and the lap record is held who was timed at by Ken Win 23Ssec-or 89.37 miles an hour-in the B.R.M. in 1954. Wharton is almost certain to be competitor in next year's event. Entries for the race will close on December 17, and the club will then • announce the competitors and their cars. 21-11-56 WIGRAM TROPHY CAR RACE $1500 IN PRIZES FOR MEETING When the third international Lady Wigram trophy race is held at the R.N.Z.A.F. Station, Wigram, on Janu-i ary 26, £1500 in prize money will be offered by the Motor Racing Clut. in its prospectus, sent to racing: drivers in all parts of the world. the club has listed four races for the: programme: a formula libre tropty race, a sports cars race, asaloon race, and a race for cars not entered in the trophy race. Negotiations are at present under way to have several motor-cycle races also included. Since last year's race, the club has bought the grandstands which were used in Christchurch during tha Royal tour. This is expected to double the seating accommodation on the course. The Wigram circuit is the fastesi; i in New Zealand, and the lap record is held by Ken who. was timed at lmin 25.ssec-or . Ssector 8937 miles an bour-in the B.R.M.. in 1954 Wharton is almost certain to be a competitor in next year's event. Entries for the race will ciose on December 17, and the club will then announce the competitors and their cars.