17-1-59 19-9-59 Wigram 'Scrat chin gs N.Z. Car Racing Status NOTABLE overseas absentees from the entry list for the Lady Wigram Trophy to be held nezt Saturday illustrate one important thing—New Zealand has really arrived in international moțor racing. The Scuderia Buell Piccolo Ron Flockhart, with the Bob Gibbons who came Maseratis, built at enormous B.B.M., and Jack Brabham, home eighth in the home cost with the help of American with the Cooper-Climax are built Lycoming Special dollars, and the special 250F the tops, but they certainly entered by Ralph Watson. Maserati of Joakim Bonnier, are will not have things their This is another car that now on their way back own way at Wigram. could finish well up next Modena, Italy, for modifications. Never before has their been Saturday. This because a bigger or tougher feld. The their dismal failure in the New brilliant Auckiander There are other drivers all Zealand Grand Prix at Ardmore. young with better than runners' Bruce McLaren, who finished chances, and it all adds up to Buell connections realised third in the Grand prix, is a the makings of the most closelythat the cars Trould not potential trophy race winner. contested Lady Wigram Trophy have an earthly show in the The other Aucklander, Boss yet held. 150 mile Wigram classic, and Jensen, is in the same class. Since the event was given that itmas pointless international status it has never make the trip south. ADVANTAGE been won by a New Zealander. The same thing could be said The omens have never been betof the Australian Arnold Glass, ter for a New Zealand win than Whose Dino - engined Jensen will have the advant- they are now. Super age of the bigger motor of his Squalo Ferrari could not head To anyone who professes to New Zealand-driven 1500 El Salvador Maserati. But even know something about motor C.C. Coopers in the Grand Prix. though McLaren's Cooper-Climax racing the New Zealand Grand has only a 1960 c.c. motor his Frix proved that no overseas sheer brilliance could easily driver™ can afford to take the NO LOSS give him the edge on Jensen. local opposition lightly. There are others, too. Tom Wigram should provide fur- No doubt there will be many Clark and Ron Roycroft are ther proof if there are some Island enthusiasts who class drivers although their who are still uncertain.—Peter South will be disappointed because Ferraris are perhaps a little Greenslade. only two overseas top-flight over-shadowed by the cars of the drivers are racing at Wigram. men already mentioned. But anyone who was at Ara- Then there is Pat Hoare, the more would agree that no one loca, ariver, who has very will miss anything at Wigram good 3-litre Ferrari and can be because the Maserati drivers, relied : upon to give a better Harry Schell, Carroll Shelby account of himself on his home and Joakim Bonnier, will not course than he did at Ardmore. be there. A few years ago when a few "name" drivers with the latest HOME-BUILT factory-built cars came to New Zealand it usually meant that the New Zealanders could take Syd Jensen, a back seat in the international was in a class of his races. Now it is being proved that Islander, the Grand Prix bring. own in these overseas men have to take Cooper-Cimax in seventh place. their chance against formidable He will go hard at Wigram. local opposition. This is some thing the Christchurch Motor But perhaps the hero of the race at Ardmore was Racing Club has not been slow to recognise. TOUGH FIELD Although the club would have liked to have the Maseratis at Wigram. when entries reland Grand Brist the New Zealand Grand Prix club's representatives must have had more than a sneaking suspicion that those cars would not be of much value. As things have turned out the overseas drivers engaged are the only ones capable of making a race of it with the best New Zealanders. inpoint ADDITIONAL GRAND PRIX AWARDS AFTER watching the _ New Zealand Grand Prix at Ardmore last Saturday, Peter Greenslade makes the following additional awards: SPORISMANSHIP — Jack Brabham. By lending Stirling Moss a half-shaft he gave away the race and he knew it. CONMON SENSE — Bruce McLaren. He realised he had damaged his motor early in the race and by sheer ability nursed the car along into fhird place. FORESIGHT — Ross Jensen. He saw the brake linings were too soft on the El Salvador Maserati for the Ardmore circuit and replaced them with harder ones. TECHNICAL ABILITY- Ralph Watson. He designed and built the Lycoming Special which Bob Gibbons brought home well ahead of many expensive factory - built cars. BRILLIANCE — Syd Jensen. He drove a magnificent race to bring home a 1500 c.c. Cooper- Climax well ahead of more powerful cars. DETERMINATION — Ron Flockhart. After a bad start he swept through a high-class field to be third when he had to retire. ARTISTRY-Stirling Moss. He was in a class of his • own. WOODEN SPOON — The Buell and Bonnier Maseratis and their connections. They got what they deserved SEE THE B.R.M. AT THE D.I.C. AND MEET RON FLOCKHART This car entered for the Lady Wigram Trophy Race, by the Owen Racing Organisation, will be driven on Saturday by the twice winner of Le Mans 24hour race, Mr Ron Flockhart. The car will be on display Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thurs. day during normal shopping hours, and 7-9 p.m. each evening. Mr Flockhart will be in attendance on Tuesday, Wednesday arid Thursday from 12 till 2 p.m. and each evening from 7-9 p.m. Mr Newman, chief mechanic to the Owen Racing Organisation will also be in attendance. You are invited to meet Mr Flockhart and see the B.R.M. at the D.I.C. where you may have your programme autographed. -Advt- 21. 20 - 1-59 SEE THE B.R.M. AT THE D.I.C 12. This car. entered Owen Racing Ora Mr Ron Flockhart engasements). B.R. (Tuesday), Wednes or the Lady Wizr anisation, will be Whenever possi M. mechanics will day, and Thursday 7 to 9 p.m. 'am Trophy Race by the driven on Saturday by ible (subject to previous be in attendance to-day from 12 to 2 p.m. and -Advt.-21.