Climax Of Motor Racing Club's ..: 1 thousands of spec- tators who will come from many parts of the country to the Wigram motor racing circuit on Saturday are likely to enjoy world class motor racing of a standard not before seen at Wigram. The Arst Lady Wigram Trophy race was held in 1049. This is the opinion of the president of the motor racing: club (Mr Jack Brewer) in a presidential message. of welcome visiting drivers, "We expect more than 25,000 spectators on Saturday. It will be the greatest day in the history of the motor racing club and the culmination of years of clear-visioned endeavour by the club founders who so staunchly pioneered the foundations for big time motor racing in the South Island. "We warmiy welcome all competing drivers at this notable occasion in the history of New Zealand motor racing. "It is an outstanding honour that world top drivers have entered for the Wigram Trophy race in greater numbers than ever before. It is an indleation of how powerfully established public enthusiasm has become for the motor racing here. - 61 18-1 Plans "The Lady Wigram Trophy race has now become oné of the world's leading annual motor racing events. The track is recognised as comparing more than favourably with any other aerodrome cirsuit in the world. The only limiting factor is • the distance from factories and sources of maintenance. "Basically, it has been the policy the motor racing club to create better standards by constantly increasing overseas competition. This has brought the standard forward so fast. Years ago we would never have dreamed that New Zealand drivers would have the standard of racing car's they have today. "At the same time the motor racing clubs championship event eaters excellently for single seater racing cars which do not take part in the main event. The way in which the sport has developed is shown by the standard of racing in this event which is now higher than that of the main event when first held. "We have never had a major or fatal accident at Wigram since the meeting was first held, The number of Incidents has been remarkably few in proportion to the thousands of racing miles the curs have travelled in all events since the first meeting. •This is itself an object lesson to • the driving publie because it shows the very important part that concentration and close attention plays in accident-free motoring. MR G. F. SHEPPARD, secretary of the Motor Racing Club, has for long been a keen motor racing enthusiast. Mr Sheppard is also secretary of the North Canterbury Car Sports Club, and one of its foundation members. MR J. A. BREWER "It is true that the main lace on the programme has PREVIOUS WINNERS grown away from the greater number of competitors among 1952: (50.78 miles): L. Moore New Zealand drivers. But not Although motor races havel Alfa been held on the Wigram cir- (Christchurch), P3 altogether so. The improve- Romeo, 78.3 miles an hour. ment in New Zealand drivers' cuit since 1949, only since 1954 standards brought about by have the events carried inter- 1953: (50.78 miles) R. J. Royoverseas competition has re- national status. There was no croft (Auckland) Alfa sulted in more New Zealand racing in 1055 because of re- Romeo, 78.8 miles an hour. drivers being strong contend- sealing of the tarmac. Winners of the six previous ers in the main event, Since 1949, the average 1 international races at Wigram speeds of the circuit have risen were. from the 66 miles an hour of 1954 (99.5 miles): P. N Maurice Proctor in 1949 to the Whitehead (Ferrari), 85.46 scorching 90.3 miles an hour of the Cooper Climax driven m.p.h. by Jack Brabham last year. 1955: No racing. Previous winners of the (1956 (150 miles): P. N. races at Wigram before inter- Whitehead (Ferrari), 83.46 national status was granted m.p.h. were:. 1957: (150 miles): P. N. 1949: (105.8 miles) M. Proctor Whilehead (Ferrari), 81.94 (Wellington), Brooklands m.p.h. Riley, 66.17 miles an hour. 1958: (150 miles): A. Scott 1950: (105.8 miles) Hector Brown (Lister Jaguar), 83.8 Green , (Christchurch), „Wolseley Special, 69:79 miles an m.p.h. hour. 1959 (150 miles): R. Flock- 1951: (101.57 mlles) I. Moore hart (B.R.M.), 89.8 m.p.h. (Christchurch) P3 Alla Romeo, 1060 (150 miles): J, Brabham 69.5 miles an hour. (Cooper-Climax), 90.3 m.p.h. Research In Tyres A quiet and smooth-running tyre is a prime requisite in these times when car manuare competing for the ultimate in quietness and To help meet this need, the rubher industry has invested in elaborate testing machinery designed to detect factors which might make a rumble. or "sing" on the roads. In one tyre company's laboratory in th nited States, a tyre is run against a steel drum coated with an abrasive A microphone nicks noise created. from a recording, instruments determine | total volume, frequencies, and the pattern of frequencies. The tyre is later mounted on a car and run on pavement BRABIAM LEADS while specially-trained engineera listen from both inside MOSS.-In this photoand outside the car. One of the latest trends in tyre de- graph taken last season, signs which has resulted from Brabham is holding a these tests is the undercut tread, which provides quinter narrow lead over Moss. running and good handling characteristics