2-6-60 2-6-60 MOTOR RACING AWARDS Presentations To Drivers At a special function in Christchurch last evening, two of Canterbury's most noted racing drivers were presented with special awards to mark their success in national competition. They were P. M. Hoare, winner of the Association of New Zealand Car Clubs gold star award for the national hill climb champion, and H. J. W. Heasley, winner of the New Zealand Racing Drivers" Club award for the champion saloon car competitor. Several of New Zealand's leading motor racing administrators attended the function, which was the Motor Racing organised by Club, sponsor of the annual international race at Wigram. The president of the Motor Racing Club (Mr J. A. Brewer) said the function had been arranged to recognise the success of two of its members in national competition. The race at Wigram this year had been very successful from the club's point of view. and the good attendance had not been by accident-it was a reflection of successful race organisation. "Those of us who were concerned in the first race held at Wigram in 1949 never felt that time would come when we could field drivers of worid championship calibre-yet that is precisely what occurred this year. We have got the public thinking , and we have endeavoured to try and maintain the interest over the last two or three years by at- ¡tracting overseas competitors," he said. Mr Brewer paid tribute to the New Zealand Grand Prix in Auckland, which, he said, had done much for the sport in New Zealand. "While it would not be true to say that we would not get overseas drivers without assistance, it is certain we wouldn't get competitors of the calibre we are used to without its help," said Mr Brewer. The Motor Racing Club intended to place more and more emphasis on the gold star awards for New Zealand drivers, and it hoped to influence other clubs into the same way of thinking. said Mr Brewer. He then presented the hill climb gold stat to P.M. Hoare. The secretary of the Association of New Zealand Car Clubs: (Mr P. I. Lupp, of Dunedin) said Hoare was one of those men who bad taken part in the formation of the association He had always been prominent in competition, Mr Lupp said, but this season he nad !. eclipsed all previous efforts with a fine win in the gold star hill climb. Hoare had also demonstrated his ability in racins to be runner-up in the racing! gold star award The vice-president of the Newl Zealand Racing Drivers' Club (Mr! I E. O. McKellar, of Ashburton). said be was particularly pleased that Heasley should be the first recipient of his club's national: saloon driver champion award.! Heasley had created three new track records for saloon cars with a small _capacity car, and • his driving skill was well-known. His club was particulariy pleased to be associated with the Motor Racing Club in the funetion, and the increasde recognition, and the increased recognimuch appreciated. said Mr Mc- Kellar. Messrs Hoare and Heasley reolied, thanking the Motor Racing Club generosity. Brewer presenied both drivers with large colour portraits themselves in action races. 2-6-60 3-6-60 PRESENTATIONS TO DRIVERS WELL-ANOWN motor racing personalities were presented with awards to mark their successes in national competition at a function in the city last night. Here Pat Hoare (left) / receires the New Zealand Hill Climb Gold Star from the secretary of the Association of New Zealand Car Clubs (Mr P. I. Lupp). The New Zealand Racing Drivers' Club saloon car award went to Harold Heasley, of Rangiora. 22-7-60 Motor Racing Club Elects Officers The following officers were appointed at the annual meeting of the Motor Racing Club: Pa ron. the Hon J. Mathison: presi dent, Brewer: lice. Presidents. Messrs J. Dalice and D. Laing; treasurer. Mr P MacShane; secretary: Mr G. F Sheppard: committee. Messrs C G. Iver, D. Hard Trevor. H. G Hai!owa A. Stuart, J. O. Bandy. B. O. Williams. G. Par. ker. and R. Beckinsale. CHAMPION RACING DRIVERS.—P. M. Hoare (left) and H. J. Heasley admire the colour photographs of themselves in action presented by the Motor Racing Club at a special funetion this week. Hoare is the New Zealand hill climh champion and Heasley the champion saloon car driver. 27-7-60 M.R.C. Honours Member In recognition of his long SEIvices to the club, Mr C. G. Mciver! was honoured at the annual meeting of the Motor Racing Club in Christchurch this week. A presentation was made to Mr Mciver, who is a foundation member of the club and has been responsible for collections and the programme at the annual Wigram motor race since its inception. Several 'members at the meeting expressed a desire for the club to investigate the possibility of holding minor race meetings during the year. This will be considered by the incoming committee. Officers elected were:- Patron, Mr J. Mathison; president, VIE J. A. Brewer; vicepresidents, Messrs W. D. Laing, I. Daikee; treasurer, Mr P.M. MacShane; secretary, Mr G. F. Sheppard; committee, Messrs C. G. McIver, D. Hardie, W. Halliday, A. Stuart, d. O. Trevor, H Bandy, B. O. Williams, G. Parker, R. Beckingsale.