PROUD WINNER OF FIRST WIGRAM RACE SITTING in a quiet Christchurch garage is which, 13 years ago, won Wigram Trophy race. corner of the racing car the first Lady Compared with the low, lithe Coopers and Lotuses which will be seen hurtling round the Wigram track next Saturday, this veteran of a by-gone era seems obsolete. However, this car has breeding of which no Cooper, or Lotus can boast. In 1831, at a cost of f4100 each, two racing cars were hand-built at the Riley Mộtor Company factory in England. They were constructed specially for the Brooklands race track, hence their name, the Brooklands Riley. The cars had a nine horsepower, 1086c.c. engine, with speed of 107 m.p.h. Their bodies were fashioned after the design of that period - squat radiator and cowling. two-seat cockpit, and # boat-tail shaped rear. It is one of these Rileys which now has found its Anal resting place in the garage of Mr Don Ransley, a wellknown Canterbury motor-racing Agure. Mr Ransley is : 8 Riley enthusiast and he is quick to point out the romantic career of his 1 • cat. 00 In 1931, the two special Rileys were entered in the famous Le Mans 24-aour race. One of the cars (Mr Ransley is not sure which) was first in its class and was also the first British car home in that year. This car must be one of the few, if not the only, car in New Zealand that has raced at Le Mans. Mr Ransley's Riley was taken to Australia in 1934 where it won 4: the Grand Prix race. It was then taken to New Zealand on exhibition. It was bought by a Wellington man and in 1940, the car passed into the hands of Morrie Proctor, also of Wellington, who was to own it for the next 20 years. Proctor, distinguished New Zealand racing driver, entered the Riley in many hill. climbs and club events, but its most notable performance was in winning the frst Lady Wigram race in 1949. The car was bought by Mr Ransley a few months ago and he intends to keep it as a vintage car. ENTRIE MINOR Large and varied entries have been received for the supporting car races at Wigram next Saturday. In all events, the feld will be reduced to 24 competitors. The starters in each three eventa will be determined fastest lap times in The lat t entrees Prete torlow: Sporta Car Race R. J. Stewart (Christchurch), V. L. Neate (Christchurch), Daimler; D. Young (Tiтагц), Jaguar C type; Maxwell (Christchurch), A. (Hastings), Jaguar D type; E. Tims (Timaru), Austin Buckler; Hecky 1005 B. Cattle (Dunedin), Bennett (Green Island), Morgan; R. Duell (Dunedin). M.G.: H. Berryman (Christchurch). Berkeley; M.. C. Hornaby (Christchurch), Allard J3: #'. P. Harris (Christchurch), MG: C. Shaw (Wigram). Swallow Doretti: D. A. Herridge (Christchurch), M.G.; R. J. Blackburn (Christchurch), Lotus; W. Thomasen (Huntly South), Monza verari; . u. Johnston (Aucktand), Austin Healey 100-4; C. E. Bennett (Green Island), Morgan; land), Buckley Le Mans; W. R. Tojetro Jaguar; A. Moffatt Lotus; Canley (Hamilton). Lotas: P. Fafelta (Whakatane), Austin Healey Sprite Open Car Race R. J. Stewart (Christchurch), M.G.T.F.: C. Berryman (Christchurch) Cooper Special; D. Young (Timaru), Jaguar Rutherford (Christchurch), R.A. Zephyr; A. Hysiop Jaguar D type: SALOON CAR CHAMPION The Rangiora driver, H. I. Heasley (right) is shown with his two mechanics and the Humber 80 in which he won the New Zealand saloon car champlonship last year. Heasley will have extremely strong opposition from a record entry In the saloon race at Wigram on Saturday. "As there are only two of these in the world, I intend to preserve it," says Mr Ransley. "It is definitely not for sale." Built when the Riley name was famous in the racing world, the car is in remarkably good condition after 30 years of racing. Lightness has been stressed to a high degree - magnesium alloy being used for many parts. A feature of the car is a device in the cockpit which alters the strength of the brakes while the car is travelling. In 1832, one of these cars lapped the Brooklands track for 1000 miles averaging 84.4 m.p.h, for the distance. And despite its 31 hardworking years, this Riley is still capable of a good 100 m.p.h. S FOR RACES Tims (Timaru), Austin Healey: B. Cottle (Dunedin), Buckler: 1. Bennett (Green Island), Morgan; B. Duell (Dunedin), M.G.; D. Monty (Christchurch), Singer Special; I. D. Candy (Timarul. Healey Corvette: Darrell Vincent shuter Core Cooper Vincent, Shuter church), Ferrari; (Christchurch), Stanton Mon Cretle R. J. Blackburn (Christchurch) Lotus 7; V. R. Blackburn (Christchurch), Citroen: J. D. Lovell (Woodbourne), Lloyd Special; A McBeath (Otaki), Normac Special; W. Thomasen (Huntly South), Monza Ferrari; J. Grant (Auckland), Cooper Vincent: G. Johnston (Auckland). Austin Healey: H. Green (Christchurch). R.A.; Kingston (Wood- J.B.S.; C.E. Bennett North Chitchure: Morgan; Cooper: J. Briggs (Christchurch). Lade (Grey. Maserati 250F; P. (Auckland), Cooper Brietro a guade Morat Gardiner (Wig- (Hamilton, Lola Lotus: Canley (Hamilton), B. Blackburn (Christchurch), Maserati 4CLI: D. Mackenzle (Wellington). Cooper. Baloon Car Race W. B. Watt (Palmerston North), Austin A40; D. Shlelds (Gore), Simca; B. J. Rowe (Blenhelm), Singer; A. R. Batey (Dobson), Wolseley: A. McPhie (Dobson); M.G. Magnette; R. A. Miller (Christchurch), Austin A35: C. B. Whitehead (Blenhelm). Pord Anglia; J. M.. Ord (Blackball), Singer; Bi Prestidge (Christchurch), Ford V8; D. M. R. Harrts (Ferdale), Ford Consul: J. Mulilna (Leeston), Simca; M. N. Lawson (Grey Lynn), Ford Conaul: M. B. Mills (Blenheim), Humber; H. J. Heasley (Rangiora), Humber 80; R. Macdonald (Chevot), Ford Zephyr; R. J. N. Archibald (Christchurch), Citroen; A. F. McLeod (Martinborough), Ford Zephyr; R. Jen- Ben (Auckland), Jaguar; F. E Sprague (Timaru), Ford Zephyr; G. F. Bremner (Patea), Humber: d. W. Dymand (Dunedin), Simca; T. Beetham (Masterton), Ford Zodlat: I. Segedin (Hamilton), Ford Zephyr. 2 IWO FAMOUS WIGRAM WINNERS,--I'wo of the best-known cars which have competed in races at Wigram are shown above. TOP: The winner of the first race at Wigram in 1949, M. Proctor, of Wellington, is shown in his Brooklands Riley. This famous old racing-car is described on this page. BELOW: The only car ever to have won at Wigram three times was this P3 Alfa Romeo owned by the late Les Moore, who won In 1961 and 1952, and later owned by R. J. Roycroft, who won in 1953.