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Expense no object as Frank Matich prepares for Wigram

Two-time Australian Grand Prix winner Frank Matich flew back to Sydney after the Levin race to have special suspension parts made for his Repco Matich A50, which ran 13in rear wheels at Levin instead of the 15in used at Pukekohe. With Gardner out, McRae in the Leda GM1 looked the best bet at Wigram, a fast circuit with a revised hairpin. Hailwood led the Tasman points on 10.

Facts

  • The 1972 Wigram qualifying trials were scheduled for Friday, with the race being the third of the Tasman championship.
  • An official inquiry into the death of Bryan Faloon at the 8 January 1972 Pukekohe Grand Prix found it was not possible to apportion responsibility to any one of the three drivers concerned (Faloon, McCormack and Lawrence); the accident occurred on the main back straight.
  • The amateur radio corps providing the communications system at Wigram could not move equipment onto the airfield until 4.30pm on the Thursday when flying ceases, in 1972.
  • An Auckland racing official said in 1972 that a race ceased to be competitive when a car was lapped after only five circuits, and called for a rule on overtaking.
Read the OCR text
Exp ense no obi ect as Frank Matich prep ares for Wigram By PETER GREENSLADE The winner of the Australian Grand Prix for the last sparing no expense to get into contention in the international urday. Last Sunday, after Saturday's Winfield "72 Tasman Malich flew back to Sydney to have some special suspensi Matich A50, which was run with 13in diameter rear wheels wheels used at Pukekohe. two years, Frank Matich, is I Lady Wigram Trophy on Sat- International race at Levin, ion parts made for his Repco at Levin rather than the 15in The new paris, Malich engine in his Leda GMI in witht a fast left-hander. hopes, the Wellinglon and will not reach! bandling of his car and enabla Christchurch until tomorrow, Wigram hands will be starting| DEATH vital fractions most of the major contenders off on the same footing his lap times are in the newcomers and drivers on the fast Wigram circuit. reach up their race, which will be the third ing trials will inevitably finish Saturday's early during Friday's qualify- HAZARD the in the Tasman championship the day with the most favour- The defection of the New rolling start. OF HIGH Grand Prix winner, With Gardner out of re Wigram picture, everyone will NOW DNGIND repair be trying as hard as possible SPEED 1300 in which hello pick up vital points. With the exception of the crashed at Levin, been thing they Mc- greeled with mixed feelings. easy to do when he "circus" in Aus- RACING On his Levin showing, Me- - The EMERGENCY just one point behind English- Rae looks the best official inquiry into the death man Mike Hailwood, Who has bet, but racing cars are fickle of racing driver Bryan Falorn 10 points, would have been althings and if the Leda doe: at the Grand Prix on January RADIO Tront runner at wigram, not come up to scratch on 8 has found that "It IS not his absence will automatically race day, Wigram could be lopen up this race and also possible to apportion responsianyone's race, and it would bility to any one of the thres CORPS AT the series. n01 be surprising to see one drivers concerned." of the drivers at longer odds He was fatally injured in an WIGRAM REDUCED found also invoived Australian The 1971 Curopean Formula Jolin McCormack and Graeme The communications system 5000 champion, Drivers 'may trophy race means Win be hourace Australia sit to The chairman and convenor Amateur begins early next month and soon have of the four-man inquiry was a a so his chances of carrying off body which assists in most of the 'Tasman title, New considerably. ex- life's ambitions, have dwindled to qualify' MEMBERS AUCKLAND (PA). The Messrs Ross Jensen represent. It will be the first time that chances of drivers as president of the New Zealand: the corps, which is associaled Maticstewart dElf Rec), (Mr Is. Phillips, of Aucklandilurix stewards; J. Carncy, with the New Zealand Ama-Max teur Radio Transmitters Club, who has live, and David Hobbs said today that the time was the Motor Sports Association; cos menalins neous have improved considerably, coms when all drivers in a communications network. grand prix would have to meet ling the Motor Sports Associai result of the Pukekohe tra- The man to beat at wigram qualifying times. driver, will be McRae, but as the cir- He said a race ceased to he- Mr Jensen said today: Bryan Faloon was killed, the cuit has been altered lor this come competitive when a car "Having regard to the facts. re- year's race, his previous ex-was lapped after only five eir- it complete perience here will not be such cuils. sub-a great advantage to him. 'This means he is going to unfortunate set mitled to police officials be- drivers who be lapped 11 times before the stances, begins, raced at Wigram had an ad-lend of the race," Mr Phillips altendant hazards of high speed What is a major task for the vantage because they had a said. corps has been complicated by pretty good idea "When you are passed by a I seemed evident that Methe fact that equipment will gear and final drive ratios for really Cormack, followed very closely not be able to be moved on to their that know how fast the car behind by Lawrence, were preparing the airfield until 4.30 p.m. to-racing teams carefully docu-lis going. when flying ceases. ment for every circuit at which! which was travelling normally This allows the time before the race must help Thursday night in which to set, Now the circuit has been to prevent accidents concerned the main back straight. replace- with overtaking." "Evidence leads the inquiry work in time for practice on ment of the hairpin bend at the end of the main straight! Wigram as belare on that sta" Said it:/ Grand Prix venue? Bor Sense Questioned as to the legalit f overtaking in motor racin legal to do so both on the left

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