27-9-77 Rosberg nearly stayed home BY STEPHEN STUART Keijo (Keke) Roseberg favourite to win at Wigram on Sunday, was almost a non-starter in the Peter Stuyvesant series. COET LOS WEDeDY Keke Rosberg The Finnish formula two driver was asked by American car dealer Fred Opert in June to compete on the New Zealand circuit. But no agreement was reached until a few days before Christmas. HoWever, Rosberg and fellow Finn Mikko Kozarowitzky have come to New Zealand to drive German formula two cars for Opert and for Rosberg the results have been outstanding. At first, however, his luck was all bad. He failed to finish the first race-he only went four laps at bay Park before pulling out with a fat batterv-and he had all sorts of trouble before the New Zealand Grand Prix at Pukekohe. Practising for Pukekohe he damaged the rear of his car. It was fixea br Saturday morning, official practice time, but after only fire laps he broke the driveshaft. But he had gone fast enough to be second-best qualifer behind Kozarowitzky and the car was repaired by race day Undeterred . Rosberg easily took the grand prix and then moved onto Manfield and led from start to finish. Having established a sound points lead he went to Jere tonga, a firm tavourite, and spreadeagled the hieid.. Aiter the Wigram race Rosberg will fly • back to Europe that evening. He almost bypassed Tere tonga and Wigram so could return to Europe to test a new formula two car. Rosberg will drive for the German team Warsteiner Euro-Race along with former formula one driver Rolf Stommelen. He also hopes to compete in the world championship •..• .....v. BAY PAR sporis car series, three litre sports o Rosberg • may New Zealand next S.: K MON JAN driving a return year. ER STUY serles 3- PUKEKOHE SAT JAN 8• MANFEILD SUN JAN 16 • TERETONGA SUN .?. KARTA ATT FORMULA PACIFIC JAN 23 • WIGRAM SUN JAN 30 13