24-1-80 No horsing around... Desire Wilson's second passion is horse riding. but the woman who makes speed her business will be doing none of it while in New Zealand for the Formula Pacific car racing series. The 26-year-old South African racing driver thinks nothing of hurtling around tracks at speeds of up to 250kmh, but considers horse riding poses too many threats to her career. "I don't do any horse riding because I might break something," she said in Christchurch today. A competent show jumpel. Mrs Wiison belieres she would probably have taken the sport up profes sionally if she had not made motor racing her life. "I'm still erazy about horses and I am very interested in watching show events on television when I am in England," she said. Mrs Wilson has Deen a racing driver since she iras 18 having been encouraged by her father. a former South African motor-cycle champion. But her fascination for four wheels began at much earlier age. When only six years old, she was driving speedy little micromidgets. "I hate a competitive spirit. I've been inolved in sport all my life. As weil as show jumping. I belonged to an athleties club for four years, " she said. She began her competitive careér in Formula Four racing cars and, in only her second year, finished fourth in the South African Formula Four championship. "After finishing second in the championship the following year, I decided was time to move into the next category," Mrs Wilson said. she drthe a Formuja Fars and won the South African title in 1976. The title carried with it the "driver to Europe" award, a small cash grant and introductions to European racing contacts. ine next year, dirs Wimoten to Holland which she used as her base for ventures to Belgium, Luxembourg and England. A third placing • in tne 1977 Benelux championship in her Formula Ford 2000 prompted her to move to England which she recognised as the centre of turopean motor racing. 1% of 20 races in the British Although contesting championship, she was able to capture fifth placing. By now. she was beginning to catch. the attention of leading promoters and in 1978 was offered a trial in a Formula One racing car. *They must have been impressed because I was contracted to five Formula One races in England. 1 blew the clutch in the first of them, but gained two sixth placings, a fourth and a third in the others, she said. "My first vear as a professional was 1979. I had fished seventh inaces arid tish Aurora series. I also competed in 20 sports 2000 races. finishing third in the British sports car championship." This year. Mrs Wilson will drive for team Surtees. Desire Wilson... Mirror, mr on the wall. Who is fastest of them all? 'Being ex-Grand Prix they are very professional, she said No allowances for Mrs Wilson's SeX have been made by her race rivais since she has been in New Zealand. Nor does she seek any But the . buffeting she has taken in Escort Sport racing, in particular, have kept her mechanics busy since she has been in this country. She ikens the Escort category to a stock car race. "At first, I thought they were just out to get me off the track because I waş a woman driver. but I sat out one race and the feid simpIy , destroyed itself." she said. She has no hesitation in dispensing the kind of treatment others are inflicting on her. *It's the only way. Unless vou give them what they give you, you don't get through The fear of injury does not unduly worry the "lioness of Africa. "It is just one of the nazards you have to put up with. It you don't think about it. it doesn't afect you," she said. to date, ner worst injury is a sprained hand. Finding acceptance in What was formerly a male domain has not been easy for 3Irs wilson. but she considers the way has been made easier by women's liberation movements. "Although I don't support women's liberation as such, it has helped women achieve things in England. "People don't look at you as if you are crazy if you want to drive a racing car. "Some believe you are only in it for the publicity. but once you've proven ourself you're accepted," she said. "It's very touchy area. I just keep quiet and get on with it." Total dedication is needed if success is to be achieved. "You have to decide what you want to do in life. There are sacrifices to be made. True success is hard to come by. I measure it in terms of self-satisfaction," she said. One of the sacrifices made by rs Wilson and her husband is their de cision to have no children. A famils: they reason, and motor-racing simply cannot go together. FOOTNOTE: Drivers competing in the Lady Wigram Trophy race at the weekend wil have a practice day on Saturday and contest the race proper the next day. 25-1-80 68.- The two motor-cycle events at the Lady Wigrant Trophy meeting on Sunday are shaping as a continuation of the frantic battles New Zealand internationals John Woodley and Paul McLachlan hare had over tre past month. Both riders are confident of carrying off the first place money, though they have not underestimated the determination of ansther New Zealander. Rodge: Freeth. For Christchurch's McLachlan - who is likelv to ride his Tyre Pando Yamaha TZT50 — the meeting has particular importance. A win this year will give him a three-ir-a-row record. "Ill give it a good go." he said today. "There is no reason why I shouldn't win though Juhn will be my biggest oposition. "Howerer, Rodger is determined and this weekend he could get it all together " Fondley's preparations for the Wigram Shoulder and knee and repairs to his Guan Hoe Suzuki RG500. "I've got the motor together again," he said today, "and erersthing should be airight "IT be looking for a win on Sunday... I'm reasonably confident." Woorley, from Votesa, believes the pace will be furious right from the start as he tries to gain the edge over McLachlan's slightlv faster Yamaha. "Paul and I will be going pretty hard," he said. "Pretty hard" means speeds well in excess of 240kmh on the Wigram back straight. PICTURE: The best of mates off the track, McLachlan (left) and Woodley - Enee still bandaged from bis crash two weeks ago — won't he letting friendship get in the way of winning at Wigram on Sun-