28-19 ont runners Ul chase atter t The chase for the OSCA crown sees the experienced group of Trevor Crowe (Toyota Starlet V8), John Osborne (Capri V8), Ian Munt (Capri V8) and Avon Hyde (Commodore V8) to the fore in every race, with Ian Shrimpton, who has done & iot of work to bring his Capri into overall contention, joining these foar as they dice tor race wins. Crowe, the current champion, is seeking his fourth title, while Osborne, champion in 1979-80, made a superb comeback in his newiy acquired Capri. He lost his previous car in a trackside fire while testing at the Ruapuna circuit last season. In Munt, the winner in 1976-77, is again driving his trusty Capri that has served him well since he returned from Australia in 1976. Hyde : has been circuit racing since 1966, but nad a break when he raced motocross and karts. HiS return to the OSCA ranks Laree years ago in a Capri added a new force to the already strong ranks. Although yet to win an OSCA title, Hyde is one of the drivers Crowe has the utmost respect for. "When they get the gremlins sorted out in the Commodore," Crowe said, "I am really going to have to ensure that 1 keep my act together all the time." Shrimpton's racing career started with production cars and, after a stint on the speedway track, he found his way into the OSCA big banger class. Last season he was on the fringe of being in a Trevor Crowe... seeking his fourth title. ADAL lan Munt in his Chevrolet Capri. Itle position to battle for • the outright win. Inis season, after a major motor rebuild to his capri, he is capabie of beating those who have traditionally been the front runners, John Fisher, in the ex- Hyde Capri, served apprenticeship well last year and his efforts this season have seen a vast improvement. Steve Vigurs, last year campaigned his Mkil Chey V8-powered Cortina into many minor piaces. At the end of the season he discarded the car (it is still for sale) because he felt it bad reached its full poten: tial in its current condition. Over the winter months, in an ambitious project, Vigurs built up a lighter Mitsubishi Celeste around the Chev motor. To date the signs are promising, and while there are still teething troubles, particularit with handling there is cient evidence to indicate that it will not be long before he, too, is a front runner. Wigram could well see Vigurs bring his dream into reality. The 1982-83 champion, Rod McFirea, after a season ott, plans to reintro duce his Chev-powered Cortina at Wigram. Mcpirea has expertenced problems with the final touches and had hoped to be racing prior to this meeting. "When I do come out, it will be to win," he said With some luck, Rob Kennard will debut his new MkV Cortina V8 and Laurie Bruce will finally get his Vauxball Victor V8 on to the track after a major setback at the start of the season. Bruce was testing the car with its new motor when the motor unfor-: tunately partially des troved itself =84 7423 Avon Hyde and Trevor Crowe N 1) contest the lead at a recent Timaru meeting. 20730 John Fisher leads Don Grindley underinein