20-1-81 MOTOR RACING AT WIGRAM ATURDAY JAN.24 SUNDAY JAN. 25 Wigra off fast circuit On Sunday the 3.4km Wigram circuit will be the venue for the thirty-second contest for the Lady Wigram Trophy. Two heats will decide the winner, with $5000 in Australian currency stake in each heat. ($2000 for the winner of each heat, down to $125 for sixth place.) Other races will include Shelisport, open saloon cars, South Island production saloons, an all-comers race, and two motor-cycle races. The race organisers expect about 6000 people on Sunday and are consid- OXTON ering opening a second spectator area on the infield near the pits, depending on demand, This year the main Air Force entrance to the cir- cuit, through the main gates, will not be open to spectators or competitors alike. Alternative entrances will be marked clearly. Last year, as in 1979, the Christchurch-born David McVilian, of Auchland, won the trophy. Last year he won the Aurora A.F.X. championship aS well. His driving style is well suited to fast Wigram track and his Ralt RI4 should be able to make the most of it. He has spent a lot of time in the last 12 months racing in America, and was injured in an accident there in August, but has since proved he has suffered no loss of form. As reigning New Zealand International Formula Pacific Champion and National Champion, McMillan has two "firsts" to his credit from last season. He was the first New Zealander to win the Formula Pacific International Series, and the first New Zealander to win the International/National double championship. His motor racing career began when he was 16 wnen ne took up. mecianics apprenticeship. He has been racing mechanic, engineer and team manager, race driver, тасе driving instructor, and the holder of many titles in Formula ford before embarking on his Formula Pacific career. ers chance to see racing at it Steve Millen. another Aucklander, and at 30, six years younger than McMillan, will be another strong contender for the trophy. He won the New Zealand Grand Prix last year and almost won the Aurora A.F.X. championship too. He too will be racing a Ralt: His car bears the name of a film to be released in New Zealand later in the year "Smash Palace." The New Zealand made film is about a wrecking yard. Millen was filmed during racing at Bay Park late last year, and the REYNARD footage will be incorporated in the film. Another New Zealander to watch will be David Oxton. At 35 he has had a lot of driving experience, especially in Britain in Formula Ford and FOImula 5000. He has been racing for 17 years, and has won the New Zealand Gold Star single seater title three times, the sports car championship, the Formula Ford championship twice, and has been a consistent front runner in Formula Pacific. Last year at Wigram Oxton recorded a fifth and a third placing in the heats. He was driving a Chevron then, but this year is in a Ralt RT4. The present system of two heats a metting produces, believes, sprint races, hard racing. oxton «They ate with everyone going as hard as they can to win each heat." "Because of this, pretesting and the setting-up of cars is crucial. Arriving at a meeting just in time for official practice is not on - it is not uncommon for us to do 150 practice laps for a 20 lap race. We have to ensure the car is set up correctly, the tyres, wing heights and gearing are perfect and if possible to organise alternative setting-up for wet conditions. "Undoubtedly, Wigram will present the biggest challenge because there isn't the opportunity to put in the unofficial practice as at other meetings. It is definite! a circuit which shows the true merit of driver and team co-ordination." s best Ken Smith, at 39 one of the oldest in the Formula Pacific fieid, will be another key driver on Sunday. He too, like Oxton, has a lot of experience, and will be driving a March 79B. Adrian Reynard (Cuda) and Rob Wilson from Britain, and Charles O'Brien and John Smith from Australia, will add an international flavour to the meeting. Reynard, aged • 29, designs and builds racing cars and runs a successful racing car business. He WOn the European Super Ford series in 1979. Rob wison, also aged 29, was born in New Lealand, but lives in Britain as a professional driver. Last November he won the non-championship race at Thruston in a Rait RT3. He was runner-up in the New Zealand Formula Ford series several seasons ago. and last year finished fifth in the British Formula Three championship, in spite oi missing a few races. He will be racing a March 80A. Charlie O'Brien will be driving a Ralt RTl, and is rated by many in Australia as an up and coming driver. John Smith, in a Maron 77B, is also a very promising driver, and should do well.