16-1-82 CITIZEN ATCHES PAN AM Dave McMillan (near the camera) and Larry Perkins dice for position in ine 1980 event at Wigram. NTE RNAT NOU The Aurora AFX Formula Pacific Series of motor races has its Tosman champiohe greatest championships in the world — the Tosman championship. It all started way back in 1964, when New Zealander Bruce McLaren won the series, and it gained world prominence. The Tasman Cup was won by such noted drivers as Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, _ Chris Amon, Graeme Lawrence and Graham McRae. Unfortunately, the huge costs related to the event resulted in the demise of the Tasman Series in the early 1970, and expectedly, a tobacco company filled the void with big money. HONOURS So from 1974, the series had the tag of the Peter Stuyvesant Series, and the first event was won by an Englishman, Peter Gethin, in a Chevron, built in the north of that country. The following year an Australian, Warwick Brown, took the honours in a Lola, but even so, the races lacked the full international glamour of those early days. But the format was the same - four races in Australia and four in New Zealand. This meant one race a week, over a period of eight weeks, a rather tough pro gramme for the drivers and iDeIr 15000 cars, especially as the international teams were involved in their development work in Europe. SPLIT So in 1976 the series was effectively sliced in balf, with four races for a Rothmans Series in Australia and four races for the Stuyvesant Series in New Zealand. This eliminated the transport problems, and started a new era of motor sport in this country. The changed format attracted such drivers as Brian Redman, Peter Gethin, Teddy Pilette, Max Stewart, Tom Gloy. Danny Sullivan, Pierre Dieudonne, lan Grob, Keke Rosberg and Bobby Rahal - a truly international selection drivers. For many overseas drivers it is a chance to keep their hand in during the quiet season in Europe. Many of the entrants bere have found the series very much to their advantage as they get back into their normal season with much more of a competitive edge than their counterparts who have not raced during the off season. BREAK Also, the series has been a big step for drivers who have fared well in New Zealand. Pinnish driver, Keke Rosberg made no secret of the fact he was using the series to break into Formula One. He is now into the big time. A number of overseas drivers have tried to make it in our series, and failed. Most have not returned after poor showings, especially those from Great Britain. Many expressed dismay at the huge costs involved. and the comparatively low AL F LAVO TO SER prize money compared with overseas. Those who do well from overseas, generally use the experience for advance ment in Europe, so do not come back anyway: This leaves us with constant newcomers from Aus- tralia, the U.S. and occasionally from other countries, pius Kiwi regulars, like Oxton, McMillan, Smith and Millen. It is a paradox that the locals always seem to think overseas drivers have more mana, but the locals more UR ES than often provide some of the best competition. Dave McMillan has discovered this, which is one reason why he spends so much time in America. He is doing surprisingly well there against the tough opposition.