26-1 - 80 Dr Ehrlich (engineering) I car construction for many suitable for F3 and Formula. has been involved in years. His cars are Pacific. Lady Tropl Wigram ly Race Most cars come the Once again most of the cars in this year's series are from Britain During the past few years the racing car industry has boomed over there, with little workshops. springing up all over the country. Unlike New Zealand, Bntain has a substantial motor ..racing calendar, and circuits easily reached by a good network of motorwars. And there are motor racing schools where budding racers can find out relatively cheaply if they are cut out for stardom, or racing oblivion. So motor racing is much more, obvious over there, with far more television coverage, and easier sponsorship. Hence the healthy market for racing cars. Here are some of the cars we will see: March (UK). Made in Bicester, designed by Robin Herd. In 1970 cnns Amon, Jackie Stewart and the late Jo Siffert drove these cars in Formula One. Reputed to be the largest manufacturer of Formula cars in the worid. March cars have been driven by Danny Sullivan, Brett Riley, Richard Neiville, lan Grob, Ken Smith, Andrew Miedecke, Dare Saunders and Reg Cook in New zealand from UK Ehrlich (UK). Designed by Dr Ehrlich (doctor of engineerng), and made in Bletchley. • The company has been interested in Formula 3 for more than 10 years. His cars are suitable for F3 or Formula Pacific with only minor alteration The Austrian car builder was involved in racing motor-cycles in the 1960s, ridden bu Mike Hailwood and Derek Minter. Chevron (UK): Made in Bolton, and designed by Derek Bennett. Keke Rosberg won the 1978 series in one of these cars. These cars were driven by Steve Millen, Bobby Rahal, Norm Lanksnear, David Oxton and Eric Morgan. Ralt (UK). Designed by Ron Tauranac, arid built in Weybridge. Popular in Formula 2, 3 and Pacific racing. In 1975 Larry Perkins won the European Formula 3 series in one of these cars. Dave McMillen was NZ champion in 1977 in a Ralt. 28-1-80 McMillan, drivers, dominate W of Auckland, had to win Dave McMillah both heats • of the Tait Electronics Lady Wigram Trophy yesterday to keep alive his chances taking the 1980 Aurora AFX series-and win he did taking both 80km, heats In dashing style in his Citizen Ralt before 7000 people. McMillan led both 21n1sp races • from start to and was helped immensely by the fact that most of his closest rivals struck trouble. The most spectacular incident occured at the start of the second heat, when the fast Australian, John Smith. broke a driveshaft of his Ralt on the grid at flagfall. Andrea de Cesaris (Italy) and Larry Perkins (Australia) both got brilliant starts and were horrified when they realised that Smith's car was stationary — de Cesaris hit chances ai Bomb Bay on the second lap and meanwhile Ian Flux (England) was rocketing up through the field in his experimental Ehrlich. By lap twn he was third behind MoVillan and Millen. Behind Flux there was a battle royal between Roin-i engatter, David Oxton (Auckland. Pye Chevron B34), Perkins, de Cesaris and Riley. These five made an exciting sight as they roared around in tight formation. By lap 8 McMillan, push- By JOHN FRIDD ing his car to the limitad! high winds, stretched his lead over Millen to six seconds. Meanwhile Rothengatter had pulled our with a broken engine-timing chain and Smith. both right-hand Riley also withdrew, with a wheels on the Italian's car: broken throttle cable. flying off into the infield, Lap 10 saw the hardand then Perkins crunched charging Smith rocketing into de Cesaris. All three through the field to reach cars were badly damaged. fifth place. before a drive- Steve Millen, of Auckland shaft on his car broke and ivas second in both heats in put him out. De Cesaris was! his Chardon Rait but in nei-holding fourth comfortably. ther race did he seriousiy the next four laps chalienge McMillan, who there was little excitement loves driving on the open apart from Oxton's moving airfield circuit. up on Perkins, but one lap Strong winds made driv-later the young New Zeaing very hazardous at Wig- iborn Mike Thackwell withram yesterday and several drew with a blown head gasdrivers had heart-stopping ket in his March's engine. 220km/h spins at Dunlop! On lap 16 Oxton slipped Bomb Bay Bend When past Perkins to take fifth caught by gusts. place and after that the race McMillan on rather processional, position for the first beat was with McMillan keeping four with Smith alongside him to six seconds between himand Huub Rothengatier self and Millen.. De Cesaris (DHL Chevron B48) and Mit- made a late charge to try to len behind them. catch Flux for third Desire Wilson (South ¡failed. Africa, Nashua March 77B) McMillan won by seven was the only driver to strike seconds, with Millen second trouble on the first lap land Flux a fine third. she was i hit by the ex- De Cesaris's fourth . was patriate New Zealander, one of the best results the Brett Riley, who found that professional works March the brakes on his March 77B team had scored, but the were not bedded in properly ¡Italian said later that the as he swooped into Tingey's car was overwhelmingly outhairpin. classed by the light Raits on John Smith spun away his the circuit. igram McMillan streaked away into the lead at the start of ; the second heat, leaving behind the mess of tangled cars caused by Smith's stalling. Rothengatter was rignt behind the Aucklander, however, and put pressure on him right from the start. Milien was third, Oxton fourth and Desire Wilson fifth. For four laps McMillan and Rothengatter lapped the circuit locked together. "I knew that I could get past him eventually, as he had already started making small mistakes," said the Dutchman. However, the battle ended • with a mistake by Rothengatter. He stayed too close to McMillan into Bomb Bay Bend and frontlend turbulence caused career off the track and spin, losing his car's nose- Millen inherited second place but McMilian was disappearing into the distance Oxion was third ahead of Desire Wilson, having her best race of the series and throwing her blue March around aggressively to stay ahead of Thackwell. Brett Riley was also circulating quickly but had started the race two laps down after burning out a fuel pump five minutes before the start and having to replace it hurriedly. lan Flux was scything through the field after PoOr start when he could not find his gear: he lost the ¡use of first and second gears for the whole race but drove well nevertheless. Wilson's run ended on lap nine when her car's gearbox she was passed started playing an and Thackwell land Campbell. Later she diced furiously with the hard-charging Flux before the Briton got past. McMillan eased over ho ling her had i the ace, when he threw both arms in the air on receiving the chequered flag his blue and white Ralt was Just over three seconds ahead of Millen, with Oxton a solitary -'Thäckwell tonk fourth, his best placing of ine series. and Campbell completed Neir Zealand's dominance of the race finishing fift ahead of Flux. with Wilson seventh Millen now has a 10-point lead over McMillan the Aurora •aFI series. which Will e:. ut Pukekohe next week-i "lf 1 •a both races there and S • is second we will finish series even Onl poinis. said McMillan last! night. "However, Fil win or a count-dack ot race wins si I'm still in there with a big chance." Rothengatter and Smitr who were ahead of Millen on points going into the Wigram round, are now well behind and both McMillan. and Millen will have Strike some wretched luck if an overseas drive is to taxe: his year's $44.000 series. John Smith, in fact, was . to drop Out aîter resterdav's round as he had; no monev leit to repair nis Dadiy damaged Rali, but a fellow Sydney enthusiast. Mr Erle McRae, of Machinery Traders, which sponsors Larry Perkins, generousiy came to his aid and Smith will now race at Pukekohe: next week-end. ! Results:- Lady Wigram Trophy -Heat! Mc Alilan •Auckland.. 29min 05 2sec elepased. sal Millen :Auckland. 2: I. Flux ‹England. 29:12.8ra:23.5, Italy, March 7923. 29:30.8, 4: Cesaris D., Oxton Auckland 29:39.3. 5; L. Perkins (Australia. Chevron B391, 29:16.6. 6. Fastes: lap: Me.Milian, I:115 Heat two:: Mcifillan, Sillen. 23:57.1. 28:53 81 29:095, 35 m March 792B1, 29:23.8. 4; G. Camphell: Auckland. Chetton B39:, 29:40.0,• 5; Flux. 29:44.6, 6. Fastest lap: Mcmilan and Rothengatter Netherlands, Chevron I:11.0. Aurora AFX series points before final round at Purekohe.- Milen 75, McMillan 65, Rothengatter Ji. J. Smith iAust., Ralt) 17, Oxion 37, Flux, de Cesaris 32. B Riiev (New Zealand. March 77B) 31. Perkins 22. R. Smith March 782B: 22. and Camsbell 22, Campbell Thackwel 11, D. Wilson iSouth Africa, Maren ≥ 77Bj 10, B. Donaldson (Auckiandi 10, R. Hart (Auckland) 4, H. Owen i Blenheim. Rait! 3.