19-1-73 ,223- Warwick Hett) and Bertelt both in • T3N approach- a the chicane during artice tor tomorvi La Wigranı The winner of the 1973 New Zealand Grand Prix. J. McCormack (Adelaide). making a test run in rmack (frielaide). his Ellin Repeo at Wigram yesterday. MeCormack is a fa Ir for the. Lads Wigram Trophr rac McRae close to last year r's fastest time at Wigr am •By PETER G The 1971 and 1972 Tasman motor raci his intentions for tomorrow's nineteenth inter preliminary practice session this morning, aft the fastest time he and the Australian, Frank The winner of the Rothman s International at Levin last Ween. McRae was unotficially timed at 66. 9sec in his MicRae Govil. McRae won the • Wigram race last year and with Matich Repco Matich A50› shared fastest lap of 66.6sec - an average speed of 115.35 miles an hour. After this morning's familicrisation session, MeRae said it was earl in the day to predict just how fast he would later. But the Southland racing car constructor. George Begg. told me he thought that there would be an improve ment of up to 2sec. If Begg. who probably knows as much about the New Zealand motor racing circuits and the potential of the cars as anyone in this country. is right. then it is possible that the driver who pains pole position for tomorrow's 47 aps will qualify at a speed approaching 120mph. NOT ALONE However. McRae was the oniy one who turned in a respectable time this morning. The winner of the rich Australian Repco series last rear. Kevin Bartiett *Lola 1300. was officially clocked at fi.2sec. Matich. the current Austra- lian Gold Star champion. was timed at 68.2sec. He mas not happy with the new engine installed this : week. although the said all ihat was needed ras some muner tuning. The newcomers to Wigram. ¡American Sam Posey ‹ Surtees 11B› and Englishmen Steve Thompson 'Chevron B241 and Alan Rollinson ‹ Me- Rae GM1'. settled down much more quickly at Wigram than they did on the North Island circuits. Pose! was clocked at a respectable 68sec and Rollinson at a fraction more. GEAR RATIOS Thompson put in an early lap in 70sec and then, like a number of other drivers. pulled in to change gear ratios and make suspension adjustments which are vital on a circuit which is much faster than Pukekohe and Levin. In the main most drivers seemed to hare little trouble. However wax Stewart. who has not had much luck in the series so far. was in trouble again this morning when he struck one ni the bumps on the circuit and grounded his Lola 330. bursting the sump. Stewart immediately headed for the city io make repairs. GREENSLADE ing champion, Graham McRae, gave notice of national Lady Wigram Trophy Race when in 'er only a few laps, he went within 0.3sec of Matich, set in last year's race. The practice started In BLAZE brilliant sunshine and for a while there was a trace of Baron Robertson caused some day there was The North Island driver cooling easteriy. nothing mud excitement when petrol over- flutter a flag and it was excepflowed on to the hot engine of tionally hot. his March 722. He drove on: for some time unaware of the flames behind him. PITS CHANGE But he soon got the message. stopped and nad the fire The circuit has been changed slightly since last The driver who had most to year. The pits have been rebe sorry about, however was a located beyond the bend that young Aucklander. Phil leads from the start-finish Myhre. who rolled his Fiat straight and the bend itself 850 at the fast bend at the end ¡is more acute so the cars go of the main straight. through it slightiy slower. The car was badly damaged! But with the rate of the and Wyhre was lucky to es development of the V8cape with minor lacerations engined 5-litre Tasman for- 10 his shoulder and some mula cars it is obvious the bruises. bend is going to make no difference and speeds should Time trials for starting! ¡increase dramatically. positions were held this after- With the exception of the noon and there was a possi- 1970 Tasman champion, bility that there would be Graeme Lawrence. whose new another brief one tomorrow Surtees TS 15 is noi vet race morning. the final line-up for the rolling Therefore it is possible that reads. the full feld turned out tor training this morning. Start tomorrow afternoon will be declared until about two hours belore the race When competitors and their helpers arrived at Wigram early this morning they found that the air force base had been transformed into a motor racing circuit with all the facilities in readiness. THOUSANDS By lunchtime a crowd running into several thousands was at the circuit to watch the practice sessions. The president of the Motor Racing Club Inc • iVIr J. A. Brewer! was unable to give an official estimaie, but he said he believed it was the biggest crowd ne had seen at Wigram for qualifying