3-2-84 Depressing situation in Pa After the recent Just Juice International Formula Pacific series, most enthusiasts would be justified m wondering just what has happened to the country's premier motor racing class. The concern lies in the pathetic number of both overseas and, even more importantly, New Zealand entries which lined up for the annual four-week battle at Baypark, Pukekone, Manfeild and Wigram When the present cate gory was introduced in the late 1970s, grids of 20 or more cars were commor place, but entries have steadily dropped to the extent that oniy 1s started in this year's opening round By the time the series concluded at Wigram, a meagre 10 cars appeared What then has caused this sad situation? In spite of the efforts of the race promoters, large financial cific r assistance from the New Zealand Apple and Pear Board and television coverage, only seven overseas drivers showed up, two of whom are expatriate New Zealanders. That left seven resident New Zealand drivers to take on the mediocre overseas contingent. To make matters worse, there are over double that number of these cars in the country at pre sent but for reasons best koown to their owners, they simply do not want to race them. As a result, the national Gold Star series has virtually become history. Without this New Zealand chamsights on! Alter all, who is going to pay upwards of $40,000 for a car he cannot race. Perhaps the sport's hierarchy can take solace from the fact that other countries which hold championships for these 1600cc racing cars are also experiencing dwindling interest. This being the case, perhaps the governing bodies of each country, that includes Als tralia, Asian nations, Britain, New Zealand and the United States should get together and adopt an alternative formula. One class that is cur- acing rently enjoying a boom period is Formula Three. Both the British and Euro pean championships are very prestigious events and several drivers including the current world champion, Nelson Piquet, have stepped from these small cars straight into Formula One. The American teenager, Davy Jones, who drove exceptionally well during the Pacific series, is just one of many talented drivers who has driven with distinction in this class. If this, or a similar formula, is adopted and atready one Asian country has seen fit to replace its Pacifie cars with Formula Three, then there is to reason why a worid championship could not take place in conjunction with Britain and Europe Furthermore, it would probably be better for all concerned if it was promoted by a professional eztrepreneur who conld put together a package deal acceptable to competitors, sponsors, race organisers and the public. The sooner the sport's authorities get together and make suitable changes, the sooner grids could become so full that drivers will actually have to qualify to compete. GEORGE TANNER 14-4-84 Earlier start to series AUCKLAND (PA). The international motor racing series will be held in December instead of January, the New Zealand International Grand Prix Association has announced. The series will start with the Lady. Wigram Trophy at Wigram Air Base, Christchurch, on December 2, a fortnight after the Australian Grand Prix at Calder. Manfeild, at ..Feilding, will be the venue of the second round of the chantpionship on • December 9, with the New Zealand Grand Prix at Pukekohe on December 16. After a fortnight's break the series will finish at Baypark, Mt Maunganui, on December 31. 13-7-84 Motor racing's body blow Withdrawal of sponsorship has dealt a body blow to the organisers of the international motor-racing series in New Zealand this summer. Unless an : alternative financial supporter can be found, the series wil be reduced to little more than competition between New Zealand and Australian drivers, i" The series has been sponsorea ior two years by he New Zealand Apple and Pear Marketing Board in the name of one of its products, Just Juice However, the board recently withdrew its sponsorship which an executive officer of The Motor Racing Club, Mr Ron Rutherford, said was worth about $60,000. "There was virtually no reason given," he said. "They just said 'we're out.'" The decision came as a shock to motor-racing offi- cials who had been looking forward to an increase in the board's financial input. "If we can't get alterna tive sponsorship, we mill robably de unable to bring out any European drivers for the series. "We had planned to reintroduce the Tasman series this year and, at worst, we should still be able to run an Australia - New Zealand competition." he said. "We are looking at between $8000 and $10,000 for each of the four rounds which will be held at Wigram, Manfeild, Pukekohe and Baypark. "However, we have no one knocking, on the door at this stage. The organisers' prob lems have been exacerbated by a decision to move the series forward to coincide with the Austraiian racing programme. to have finalised sponsorsnip by the middle -or September at the latest," Mi Rutherford said.