24-9-79 25-1-79 Rules for formula Pacific precise What is a Formula Paclic car? The regulations set a minimum weight of 450kg and the maximum width of the car must not exceed 200cm. The bodywork must be 1o wider than 130cm. The rules are very precise - even to setting out cockpit dimensions. Wheels are 32cm diameler and all cars must use the same type of racing tyres This is so that nobody has an advantage with tyre compounds. The motors are all Ford! BDA 1600 cu cm. These are universally used in Canada, the U.S.A., South Africa and New Zealand. Formula Pacific staried in Britain nine years ago, and was seen as a cheaper form of racing than F2 howerer, "cheap" is relative. For instance, it could cost the overseas drivers up to $30,000 to complete the five race series. Even if a driver on the series, the prize money might not cover expenses. An engine could set a team back about $8000, and tyres and wheels could easily account for an additional $3000. The first race in the new series (Atlantic overseas was won by an Australian, Vern Schuppan, driving a Paliser. Other drivers of that era included Alan Jones, Colin Vandervell, Tom Pryce and John Nicholson. By the end of 1976 Formula Atlantic was dead in Britain, but it continued in other countries, and since become a very popular formula. New Zealand ment through its Formula 5000 phase, which was good spectator value, and it now seems that the Formula Pacific formula is here stay for awhile .-• LAR ABOVE: Australian motor racing driver John Smith and mechanic Cole Hungerford give the engine of Smith's Ralt RT1 a thorough going over today in a local garage in readiness for the Lady Wigram Trophy race this weekend. N.Z. hopes or In the 1960s and early 1970s New Zealanders here used to reading about their countrymen winning world-championship races and being right at the top of the world motor-racing tree, but since Chris Amon retired in 1974 the silver fern has disappeared from the One young man eager to emulate the feats of his illustrious countrymen, Bruce McLaren, Denis Hulme and Amon, is Brett Rile!: who on Sunday will bid to win the 1979 New Zealand international Formula Pacific series. Riley has been prominent in European Formula Three racing since he last came to New Zealand a year ago. After campaigning an uricompetitive Ehrlich early in the season he secured a drive with the big-budget L nipart team. Although Riley was not completely happy with the performance of his March 783, powered by a Triumph Doiomite motor. he feels that the car is coming right and he should be a top contender for the European title next season. He also hopes to drive in some Formula Two races if he can raise the money for a private drive. The young New Zealander, now based in London, is trying to be consistent above •all else in this year's New Zealand seres, and he has certainly achieved this, regularly running third behind : Fabi and Perkins, and picking the odd second place when one of those two drops out. But although he finished oniv hail a second behind Perkins in the second teretonga race and recorded the fastest lap of the race he has not looked BRETT RILEY capable of beating either man, The driver uho has established himself as fourth fastest in the series 15 the Aucklander, Dave NeVilian, who has overcome a ierribie siart to the series in his Citizen Nashua Ralt. McMillan has consistently beaten three top overseas drivers, John Smith (Australia, Ralt), Jeff Wood (United States, March 78B) and Eje Eigh (Sweden, March • Riley "32B), in the last four races. Both Wood and Eigh came to New Zealand with good reputations and na! have harmed these with their mediocre showings. Wood proved that he can run with drivers like Keke Resberg in the Canadian Labatt series ias: year bui has only jus: started getting lised to the shorter races and harde:compound tyres used in the New Zealand series. Eigh has had some promising successes in British Formula Three and Eur eas Bermula Two has never looked likely to threaten the leaders in New Zealand in his modern March. Smith has shown goud form at times but cannet string a whole race together. possibly the resu: of the short Pacific races run Australia preseni. Smith is no slug. evidenced by the fact tha: he broke Warwick Brown's outright laD record, set in a F5000 car, Lakeside, Queensiand. in his 1600 cu cm Pacific car last sear. Steve Millen Auckland. Martini Hertz Chesten B42) has failed to live. up to his early-series prom- Ise. and the nationa champion, Ross Stone (Notorgard Cuda). has never really had his experimentai car running smoothly, and is well down the points table.