28-11-84 Hoping he's at turning point "Every driver goes through a bad time, and I've had mine over the last year or so. Now I have the definite feeling things are coming right for me." Those are the pre-race words of American metor racing prodigy Davy Jones, back in Christchurch with hopes of reproducing bis brittant Lady Wigram victory of a year ago. Jones, then 19, rocketed into international racing stardom with a series of four wins in Winner in the history of the lew eland Grant Prix. His wins were especially notable in that they were achieved in a car that was unfamiliar to him. Big things were then predicted for the young American. "I was meant to do well in European formula three, but it didn't work out. Suddenly it was all downhill," Jones said today. "Some of my equipment was not the best and it was all ups and downs - mostly downs." +.. Jones admits the setbacks had their efffect on him. "It was getting to me mentally," he said. Improvement Back in the United States there was improvement, however. He won one race, and finished a handy eignth in another after mechanical problems when in a winning position. "Overall, it was a bad year, not as good as it was. meant to be for me. But I learnt a lot - coping with pressure and so on - and I think I have come out of it better. I am still only 20, so basically have lost a year, that's all. "I've got time on my side." Last year the New Zealand Formula Pacific circuit helped Jones break into the international scene. This year he hopes it will carry him back into. prominence. Likes circuit Hopefully for Jones, Sunday's Lady Wigram race will be the opening chapter in another story of success in the southern series. He won at Wigram last year, and likes the circuit. "It was a bit bumpy in places, but I think they've fixed that up," he said. His Ralt RT, he said, is basically new, with a "fresh" engine - "and the team set-up is good." Jones' presence for the series has made up for the absence of the Brazilian ace, Roberto Moreno, and the young American is being tipped by some critics as the man to beat on Sunday. • PICTURED: Davy Jones oversees the assembly of his Ralt RT4 in a Christchurch garage workshop today.