16-9-82 21 On A line up of 21 drivers from the U.5., Brazil, Australio and New Zealand will be baitling for prize money of $5000 at the Aurora AFX Formula Pacific races at Wigram on Sunday. They are: Dave McMillan (Auckland), Ralt RT1; Charlie O'Brien (Australia), Ralt RT4; Mike Rosen (U.S.), Ralt R14; Robert Handford (Australia), Ralt RT4; Larry Perkins (Australia). Ralt RT4; Eric Morgan (Auckland), Ralt RTI; Steve Millen (Auckland), Rait RT4; Roberto Moreno (Brazil), Rait R14; Graham Watson (Australia), Ralt RT$; Ron Barnacle (Australia), Rait RTI; Ken Smith (Auckland), March 79B; Tom Donovan (Wellington), Odlins 5; Robbie Hislop (Auckland), March 74B; David Oxton (Auckland), Ralt RT4; Grant Campbeli (Auckland), Chevron B39, Steve Cameron (Auckland), Cuda; Robin Irving (Auckland), Modus; Bryan Hartley (Palm. North), Chevron B34; John Briggs (U.S.), March; Chris Read (Dunedin), Chevron B29; - Ross Cameron (Dunedin), March 77B. Although the event does have an international flavour about it, the overseas drivers are little known here. nave the mana of the very early events which attracted top drivers from other countries. TALENTED Brazilian, Roberto Moreno, has already made a fast name for himself in FP racing, and is well rated in F3 racing in Britain. Like many other car racers, he started in karts, and graduated to more poweríul machines. In 1979, Moreno went in to Formula Ford, and by the following year was number one works driver DAVE' MCMILLAN (New Zealand) nOW spends much of his fime rocing in the U.S." He is 37, and won the series in 1980. for Van Diemen, based in Norfolk, England. He bad 14 wins out of 32 races. Last year the 21-year-oid tested a Lotus, and scored an F3 win after only three races. Mike Rosen, from the U.S. comes from a wealthy background, and is just 23. But he has not grown up with a small steering wheel between his hands, having only raced for about 18 months. Like other drivers, he started in Formula Ford and came second in his third race. He drove so well that he was soon in the seat of a Formula Atlantie (Pacific here), where be tested with Tom Gloy in a Ralt RT1. Even with his limited experience, be qualified ninth in a Ralt at Long Benind jong-ime racee place Dave McMillan, of New Zealand. Rosen has also raced Supervees (Volkswagen motor). and is expected to grid for Pacific CHARLIE O'BRIEN, the aggressive Australian driver best remembered for his crash with Rob Wilson at Wigram. concentrate on this class of racing when he returos home. Another American, John Briggs, 30, has been on the circuits for some time, specialising in F5000 (now defunct here and recently replaced in Australia). He has experience in Formula Atlantic 80 expected to be competitive here. POPULAR Larry Perkins, from Australia, is back again, after a break. He is a popular and amiable driver, not prone to the prima donna actions of some drivers. He has been involved in racing for some time, with plenty of experience in the class he will be contesting at Wigram. Charlie O'Brien is back, and it is hoped he will not be involved in any entanglements this time at Wigram. The Australian driver is a typical aggressive roughneck, with a more charging style than one with finesse. Graham Watson left for Australia about 10 years ago, and is now returning as representative of that country in a Ralt. He used to race Minis here. Robert Handford (Australia) comes from Queensland, and used to drive Formula Fords. He is driving an ex-Perkins car. Ron Barnacle (Australia) ERIC MORGAN (New Zealand) is o former Formula Ford champion. He began racing in 1969, and drove a Fora Anglia. • is also a FF man with littie experience of the more poweriu Pacitie cars. de is a 30-yеaт-old advertising representative. LOCALS Locally, the best known drivers are David Oxton, Dave McMilan, Steve Millen, and Ken Smith. Oxton dominated the event last year, and is expected to be right up: among the leaders this time. Dave Meritan, who spends a great deal of his time in the U.S. these days, is dependent a great deal on the Datsun engines he will be using. These are still generally an unknown factor in this form of racing. Popular Ken Smith is one : of the older, but more approachable arivers, woo has a good talent, and races for the sheer fun of it. Steve Millen has turned his back on the bad accident he was involved in during a previous series, and expected to make a good showing on the fast Wigram circuit. Eric Morgan is coming along nicely, and could turn on a surprise at the weekend. Grant Campbell, Tom Donovan and Robin Irving have been seen in action before, but we will also be seeing Bryan Hartley, Steve Cameron, Ross Cameron, and Chris Read. Form .' . $50 MIKE ROSEN wants to drive Formula One cars. The 23-year-old Americon is hoping to use the series here as a step-up bigğer: things. ula DO LARRY PERKINS the popular Australian, who is very competitive and very outgoing"