26-1-81 A reflective moment for Trophy race yesterday a Champion David Oxton i champion the p the top three driver s they mount the is flanked by Dave ast two years, and s in the Lady Wigram dais after the race. McMillan (left), the Steve Millen. Picton driver Jeff Pascoe (right) struck the double in the two Formula Ford championship races at Wigram 'yesterday. Auckland's Lou Schollum is the rival footing it with him here. pieter. Muffle The most frustrated driver at Wigram was an Auckland accountant. Grant Campbell, who fitted a muffler because he was told to. Nobody else did so he took his off. The most disappointed driver was Englishman Adrian Reynard, who watched the first race from the sidelines. "I will come next year with two of my own cars," he said. "but I hope the series is better promoted and there is more money next time." Reynard said he could bring over five drivers for the price of their air fares and $1000 each living expenses. The most unlucky driver was Australian John smith. On practice he hit a tyre and during one of the heats his car was whacked by a brick. The most surprised driver was newcomer Tom Donoven. for Wellington. "The pace is so fast." he groaned. Nothing like the billiard saloon he operates! d moan The most anxious driver was Dave MeMillan. "If only I could have got into that other car " he muttered. The most angry driver was Rob Wilson, whose chances of a place in the . second heat were: wrecked by a shunt. "The joker is crazy. he said of the driver who? he claimed forced him off. Protest? That won't get my money back." he groaned. Grant Campbell South off drops pace The South Island could be phased out of the Formula Pacific motor racing series next coul could be a North Island series in the future, said the general manager of the grand prix (Mr Ron Frost), after yesterday's Lady Wigram classic. "The local club in Christchurch cannot continue to run the event unless they are in a far better state financially, and the drivers are finding the travel costs down there too high." "Money is a very big problem throughout the country as far as motor racing is concerned. To get the public in we also need overseas drivers. and se can't get them until we have that money." Mr Frost said that $10,000 in prize-money was paid out for each event in the series, and this had to be found • before any other expenditure. "We have to get more sponsors. and we also need television coverage." Efforts On the question of overseas drivers, Mr Frost said he would be making every effort to attract racers from America, Canada. Holland and Britain next year. "We need them to attract the crowds," he said. Possibles include Desire Wilson (UK). Huub Rothengatter (Holland). Danny Acheson (UK), and 1om Gloy (U.S.). But because of and early start to the overseas motor racing calandar, and the high costs of transportation, overseas drivers are giving the series a miss. "They are too busy getting ready for racing overseas to worry about coming out here." said Rob Wilson, from England. Wilson, who is an expatriate New Zealander, has been racing overseas for eight years. and says the competition is very tough. It is also extremely expensive. "There are as many as eight race meetings every weekend in Great Britain, and there is a great deal of preparation to do." To come to New Zealand in the off season has become prohibitive for drivers - unless they have plenty of sponsorship. Doubtful Meanwhile. New Zealand ace Dave McMillan will not be coming back from the United States to race in the Formula Pacific series next year unless some changes are made in the organisation. "There is a lot of interest over there, but no attempt has been made to attract the drivers." he said. "We need 20 cars or more for the series here, and we could get them. The trouble is the series is not as exciting as it has been in the past. It should revert to a Tasman-type series." (Lady Wigram race report. Fags 18).