21-9-58 21-158 22-1-58 EVENLY-MATCHED ENTRIES FOR WIGRAM ON SATURDAY Although five overseas drivers are competing in very fast factory racers the fourth international Lady Wigram trophy race to be held on Saturday has attracted drivers in cars far more evenly matched than in previous years. There is little possibility of the Procession which has developed in the last three races at wigram occurring once more. Twenty-eight entries have been received for the main 150-mile and more than 10 of these are in the running major placings. The number of New Zealand drivers in factory-built cars is one of the most encouraging features of this year's race, for driving skill will play its rightful large part in deciding the winner. Although the Englishman, Peter Whitehead, gave a grand display when he won the last three races at too much of the public's interest in the sport of motor racing was Inst through the lack of cars fast enough to catch him. This year, Whitehead will not defend his title, but his record of three consecutive wins is likely to stand for many years. Brabham's Chances The Australian, J. Brabham, second to Whitehead at Wigram last year, will be the hardest man the overseas contingent for New Zealanders to pass • the circuit this year. On a track eminently suited to the Formula I Cooper, and more important still, with a style of driving which is hard to find fault with, Brabham is a potential winner. With a fine win in the New Zealand Grand Prix two weeks ago, the odds are increased in his favour, and it is really only engine failure, or an outstanding driving display by one of the other competitors, Which will beat him. Four other overseas drivers are competing this year-the famous Archie Scott-Brown (Lister- Jaguar) —a dashing Englishman whose exploits are known in all parts of the world; Stuart Lewis- Evans (Connaught); R. Gibson, of England (Cooper F.I.); and an Australian, Arnold Glass (Ferrari Super Squalo). Scott- Brown's sports-racing car will be down in speed on some of the • others, but his forceful driving -.. is always a treat to watch. the New Zealand drivers, | major hopes will rest with R. J. Roycroft (Ferrari) and R. Jensen, driving Stirling Moss's 250F Maserati in which Moss won at! Ardmore in 1955. Roycroft could well have gained a major placing at Wigram last year had he not been overcome with exhaustion half-way through the gruelling race. Again this year, his car has the speed and has the ability-all that remains is a litle luck. Jensen has not had much success at Wigram before, and his Maserati will not be ideally suited to the circuit with its reverse cambers and bumps. Those who saw Horace Gould's Maserati on "the bump" at the hangars last year will realise Jensen's difficultyone that is shared by Gavin Quirk, who will also drive 250F Maserati. The drainage ditch: which causes all the trouble has to be crossed at 100 miles an hour at right angles, and many of the faster cars leave the ground if the spot is treated with disrespect. The Motor Racing Club this year has done its best to alleviate the ¡jolt which imposes terrific strains on a. car at high speed, but it will still be a danger. Other. N.Z. Drivers Two other New Zealand drivers well worth watching are Mervyn Neil, the young Auckland driver who has had a meteoric rise to fame over the last few months. and Bruce McLaren, the 20-yearold who will drive a works Cooper brought to New Zealand by Brabham. McLaren has been selected to go to England and receive instruction at the Cooper training school this year. F. E. Sprague (4CLT Maserati). Shuter (8CLT Maserati), and |J. Buza (Connaught) could easily work their way into major money. with Shuter's powerful 8-cylinder car holding a trump card in that it is the fastest car entered (it ¡has been timed at 203 miles an (hour in Europe). Sports Cars In the sports car race. a very big entry has been received. One of the most interesting cars is E. A. Kennard's Healey-Corvette which has already proved itself in sprint. events. A powerful American Corvette (Chevrolet) racing engine is hidden under tha innocent-looking bonnet. Harris, of Auckland, will drive a very potent Monza Ferrari in this race as well as the trophy race. Eighteen cars will meet in the saloon car race-an event which is always one of the most popular. Two new 3.4 Jaguar saloons. driven by R. J. N. Archibald and G. T. Quirk should provide a fine tussle, and drivers such as H. J Heasley (Consul) will provide plenty of thrills on the corners. D. Campbell, one of Canterbury's most popular drivers, has entered a supercharged Volkswagen. Two motor-cycle races are also included in the programme. Mccutcheon, who has recently returned from Europe; R. Newbrook, winner at Cust last year; and A. G. "Mick" Holland, a fine speedway and grass track exponent, are competing. Entries in the main race are:- J. Brabham, Cooper F.I. (Australia), A. Scott-Brown, Lister-Jaguar (England), R. Gibson, Cooper FI. (England), A. Glass, Ferrari Super Squalo (Australia), Watson. Lycoming Special y Corvette ( Christ- Kennard, G. Healey Corvette church). H. Austin- Healey (Taumaruna! (Christchurch): Tojeiro-Jaguar Pierce D. Cant- G T. Quirk, 250F Maserati (Te Awamutu). Mistral (Christchurch), I. E. O. Blackbu. McKellar. Cooper-Climax (Ashburton). Shuter, Maserati (Christchurch). A. T. Freeman, Lago Talbot (Wellington), G. C. Mardon, RA Vanguard (Christchurch), • W. rell, A.C.E.I (Christchurch), R. W Frost, Cooper-Climax (Levin). B. A. Wood, Staride (Dunedin), 4}-litre Ferrari (Glen Murray), Buza, Connaught (Auckland), Hoare, Ferrari (Christchurch), F. E. Sprague, 4CLT R. McCutcheon, Normac Special Maserati (Timaru) (Norsewood),. McLaren, Cooper-Climax (Auckland), M. C. Mayo, Buckler (Auckland), Neil, Cooper-Climax (Auckland). R. Jensen, Maserati (Auckland), J. Marsell, Alfa Romeo (Auckland). K. Harris, Monza Fer- • rari (Auckland). Son Of Woolworth Heiress May Drive Ir The millionaire son of the] Woolworth heiress, Barbara Hutton, may come to New Zealand at the end of this week to drive in the Lady Wigram motor race in Christchurch next Saturday. He is Mr Lance 'Reventlow, a very close friend of an English racing driver who is to compete at Wigram, Mr Stuart Lewis-Evans. The possibility of Mr Reventlow competing at Wigram has only occurred by chance. Mr Lewis- Evans was originally not an entrant in the Lady Wigram Trophy race, but after coming to agreement with the Motor Racing Club last evening, he will now take his place on the staring grid with dartshaped Connaught. his very fas" Lewis- Evans is at present in Auckland, from where he was intending to return to Great Britain. With his rearranged plans, he will now come to Christchurch tomorrow Mr Lewis-Evans said in a telephone interview with "The Press" from Auckland last evening that « Wigram Race Ion his way to New Zealand he had stopped a few days with Mr Reventlow at Beverley Hills, Los Angeles. "He was very keen on racing in New Zealand if I could find him a car. Now that Roy Salvadori has returned to his garbusiness in England, the age Sryacuse Connaught which he raced at Ardmore has no driver. Knowing how keen Lance is to drive at Wigram, I am almost positive that he will catch the first plane here," said Mr Lewis- Evans. He said he was putting in telephone call to Mr Reventlow at 9 am. today for a definite decision. "Just because he has got a lot of money does not mean his personality is affected," said Mr Lewis-Evans. "He is one of the nicest chaps you could meet, and I am sure he would be popular with crowds at your circuit." Mr Reventlow has not had many major successes at motor-racing. although he frequently races in small events in America. Last year he went to England to drive a Formula II Cooper, and performed quite well for his first season in big racing. At present Mr Reventlow is spending thousands of dollars on four sports cars—an American challenge to the Italian and British domination of international sports car events. Next season these cars will be seen at circuits such as Le Mans and Sebring. The secretary of the Motor Racing Club (Mr J. A. Brewer) said last evening that his club was overjoyed at the news that Mr Lewis-Evans would be competing at Wigram, and .t the prospect of Mr Reventlow taking part. U.S. RACING DRIVER Difficulty With Air Passage Lance Reventlow, the millionaire son of Barbara Hutton, 'informed the Motor Racing Club in Christchurch last evening that he will be driving in the Lady Wigram motor race on Saturday provided he can get a seat on an aircraft very soon. Reventlow is understood to be overjoyed at the offer made by the English racing driver, Stuart Lewis-Evans, for him to drive a Connaught at Wigram. "The only thing that remains is for Mr Reventlow to obtain an aircraft seat," said the secretary of the club (Mr J. A. Brewer) last evening. "Mr Lewis-Evans is doing all he can from this end, and Mr Reventlow is trying to make a last-minute booking on an aircraft from San Francisco." Reventlow would be fortunate to cover the distance in less than two days. Speaking to "The Press" from Auckland by telephone last evening. Mr Lewis-Evans said he spoke to Mr Reventlow by telephone about 2 p.m. yesterday. "Up to that time, he had been unable to get a seat in an aircraft, and I have heard nothing further." Mr Reventlow will cable Mr Lewis-Evans today if he has arranged a booking. Today is the deadline if he is to reach New Zealand in time. 22-1-58 Stop Press NOT 3 STARTER-Julion ith heir ess. Barbura Hutton, will not be a starter in the Lady Wigera Trovny race on Saturday, assocd. ing to adrice receivad by the Moto: Racine Clab.