2-4-57 2-2-57 Motor Racing Lost Friends Last Saturday The Motor Racing Club lost a considerable number of friends last Saturday when it offered an incomplete and inaccurate programme of events. • The programme, obriously printed some considerable time before the races, col tained among the list of drivers reputed to be taking part, the name of Ken Whar ton, who had crashed to his death in the sports car race at Ardmore fortnight before. lhere was an artice ou some of the cars taking part in the trophy race, but this articie had been used in last year's programme and contained information about cars that did pot race last Satur day.. I'be list of entries for every event was incomplete and people spread out round the coarse had no means of identifying the cars and drivers whose names were not included in the programme. Even the commentator on the public address syste was deceived by the programme. Throughout the 150-mile race he referred to Ross Jensen's car as an Austin-Healey (as it was stated to be in the pro gramme), whereas it was, in fact, a Ferrari sports car. He, at least, should have known better. 7-2-57 Wigram Trophy Race SIr.- Concerning trophy race. nex isers please put a Green canvas acro ends and back ope -HEAT WATE g the Lady Wigram hood over the stands ss the top, leaving the en. should do the trick. Motor Racing at Southbridge ANNUAL EVENT PROPOSED CLUB'S APPLICATION TO TOWN COUNCIL A suggestion that large-scale i motor racing day be heid annually in the Southbridge area was considered favourably when the Town Council met last night and discussed the proposition with delegates from the Motor Racing Club (Inc.) of Christchurch. Ine тертеsentatives of the club were Messrs A. Brewer (secretary). D. W. Wild and W. D. Laing. In corresponderice prior to last night's meeting the club had mentioned that it promoted and organised the annual event at Wigram and wished to give its competitors more racing. To do this successtully it needed a suitable venue and considered the Southbridge area could provide it more fittingly than any other place. The club had in mind a properly organised day of racing, similar to that at Wigram, running, say, three motor-cycie races and three car events on roads, approximately between 10 a.m. and 12 noon and between 1 p.m. and 3.30. The club would be prepared to finance the meeting and would donate the net profit of the day to the council for any purpose it wished. In order to reduce the risk of a wet day the club wished to hold the event as close as possible to the end ot May. It was also mentioned that "up to £ 1000 may have to be spent on prize moneys" if the occasion was to parallel events such as at Mairehau, Dunedin and Invercargill. In discussing the matter with the council last night, Mr Wild stressed that the club wished to run two events a year—one at Wigram and the other on a country circuit. The latter would not compete with the Wigram event. The club asked the council to agree to Southbridge as the venue and to assist in getting the roads in order. would take financial responsibility including public risk insurance and would erect portable grandstands at vantage points. the case of wet weather, the races would go on in the tradition motor racing. but it would be the club's responsibility should there be any financial loss. delegation retired while the council discussedthe proposal and on being readmitted were informed the chairman (Cr. I. I. Bic- Millan) that the council would agree and would give all assistance possible. It was pointed out, however, that part of the proposed circuit under the direct iurisdiction of the Ellesmere County Council and the approval of that body would also be necessary. The delegates agreed to wait on members cf the county council and present their case, in company with members of the Southbridge Council. The motion to approve the proposal had been proposed by Crs R. B. Willis and D. H. Goulden. 8-4-57 Car Club Plans Fastest Circuit In N.Z. The longest, tastest, and most modern racıng circuit in the Dominion will be established at Southbridge if the Ellesmere project. County Council approves the The Motor Pacing Club, Christchurch, has already planned an annual road racing fixture before the Southbridge Town Council The plans were ¡approved unanimously when a deputation consisting of Messrs D. W. Wild, J. A. Brewer, and W. D. Lang met the town council Their approval is subject to tne consent of the Ellesmere County Council, on whose area part of the circuit will be. Longest In N.Z. "The proposed circuit is the longest in New Zealand-abor four miles and a half-and in- ;cludes a very fine, wide straight of about a mile," said Mr Wild: The club would bear the cost of sweeping, olling and preparing the circuit. All net profits from the annual races would go to the Southbridge Town Council. "The circuit will do much to raise the standard of skill in motor-racing in New Zealand and will give the Dominion its first road circuit similar to those used for the great annual European road racing events," said Mr Wild. Top Drivers The circuit, if approved, would attract most of the top drivers who normally would compete in the Lady Wigram the true Ioad-racing conditions to which top overseas drivers were accustomed, said Vir Wild. The annual fixture would include a saloon car race, a sports car race, and a 100-mile open road race, which would be the main event. This might well became New Zealand's major road race. 8-4-57 MOTOR-RACING CIRCUIT Plans For Road At Southbridge Canterbury will have the! longest. fastest and most up-todate motor road racing circuit in New Zealand if present plans by the Motor Racing Club, Christchurch. approved for the establishment of an annual road racing fixture at Southbridge. Yesterday the Southbridge Town Council unanimously ' approved proposals for a circuit at Southbridge when they received a deputation Irom the Motor Racing Club. The deputation consisted of Messrs D. W. Wild, J. A. Brewer," and W. D. Lang. The approval was subject to consent by the Ellesmere County Council, on whose area part of the circuit will be. 'The circuit will do much to raise standard of skill in! motor-racing in New Zealand and will give the Dominion its first road circuit similar to those used for the great annual European road racing events," said Mr Wild last evening. Longest in N.Z. "The proposed circuit is the longest in New Zealandabout four miles and a half-and includes a very fine, wide straight of about a mile," said Mr Wild The club proposed to bear the costs of sweeping, oiling and preparing the circuit and all net profts from annual races would go to the Southbridge Town Council. The circuit, if approved, would attract most of the top drivers who normally would compete in the Lady Wigram events. The circuit would provide a much-needed amenity since the Wigram circuit.: being only an airstrip surface, did not give the true road-racing conditions to which top overseas: drivers were accustomed, said Mr Wild. Annual Fixture The fixture would be an annual one and would include a saloon car race, a sports car race. and the main event, which would be' a 100-mile open road race. Likely to become New Zealand's major road race, this event would be a notable attraction for contestants from all over the Dominion as well as overseas, he said •We feel that motor-racing is now getting such a hold in this country that drivers should have a mid-year fixture So that the burden of preparation, repairs and costs can be spread instead of being concentrated as at present at one time during the Christmas period," Mr Wild said. The deputation will meet the Ellesmere County Council this afternoon. 9-4-57 Motor Racing PLANS PROCEED FOR ANNUAL SOUTHBRIDGE EVENT PERMISSION GIVEN TO USE ROADS Organisation would be put in hand immediately to start an annual motor road racing day at Southbridge, said a representative of the Christchurch Motor Car Racing Club (Mr D. W. Wild) to the Guardian yesterday afternoon. The first occasion would be the Queen's Birthday observance holiday this year (May 3). Sur. = 3" application had been made last week to the Southbridge Town Council which had agreed to the use of that part of the proposed course within its own boundary (reported in last Tuesday's Guardian). Yesterday Mr Wild met members of tne Ellesmere County Council wno agreed to use of the county portion of the course. Five events would be arranged, said Mr Wild. There would be two motor-cycle races-one up to 350 c.c. and one open, both scratch events There would be a sports car race with a Lamonds start, a handicap saloon car race, and an open handicap car event of 100 miles. Speaking to the Guardian the county engineer (Mr P. Macfarlane) said the proposed course was to start at the Southbridge hotel corner, along Gordons (Taumutu) road to Cowans road, then along that road to the Leeston-Southbridge main highway, and back to the hotel corner. To complete the 100-mile course 24 laps would be necessary. The club, he said, had undertaken to provide all safety measures for competitors and spectators, and he would in the normal course of his duties make proper provision for temporary closing of the roads at the proper times. and indication of detours. The Traffic Department would naturally be taking care of its side of the day's activities.