31- 8 - 85 7-9-85 Wigram race for women drivers By Lindsay Kerr A lucrative saloon car race for women drivers will be an innovation in the Lagrammigram Trazy motor race meeting. The meeting, held in December last summer, will be a January one this season, said the Motor Racing Club president, Mr Donald McKay, when he announced its format this week. "The Lady Wigram tro phy race is the oidest race of its kind running in New Zealand, he said. "This is something which we are naturally proud of and wish this to remain for some time. In introducing a race in Group A saloon cars for women, we are again creating a first in New Zealand motor racing." The race will be known as the Quinns Fashion Trophy race, with the prize for first place worth $3000 to the winner - a $2000 wardrobe from Quinns Fashions and $1000 to the entrant of the car. Entries will be accepted for vehicles which are eligible to run in the ANZ Bank New Zealand touring car championship, with the race run over four laps (14km) of the Wigram circuit. The January 19 meeting will also see the Lady Wigram Trophy contested by single-seater Formula Pacific cars. This is in spite of the Motorsport Associations decision to scrap the class as its premier elass. The decision to run a race for women is a brave one and it is hoped that the teams who support the meeting in the ANZ Bank cars have women in their crews who are prepared to show their driving skills in the public eye. The decision to run Formula Pacific cars is also a brave one, bearing in mind the current attitude of the parent body. This race, however, will only come off if the promoters of the other January meetings are in agreement and promote it again as an international series. 5 - PURTA 1 - I. . 116 4 1 11131.19 j... 10 The interational motor Face ErE COF planning then demar pro Bratames. The early emphesis seems i be towards the supporte ther cards raiser than the business trur race. eigh **: Formula Pacifi intermationa: race serias. sponsor for Finch has fei to be armorted Christchurch's Motor Pacing Clus, proracter of the Lady wier ish rece meeing. ioc: the plurg: last weex ard announced that it will conduct the fina! rounds of the AlZ series for Group A salcons ThE will comprise to 50km races and. as they Fill be held or Sunday, January 19. they will be exactly a week before the Nissan Sport 500 race in the streets of Well- Ington #bether the close prosimit? of the Fellington rece Till deter the Group! Stare from coming TOMERS 10 De s98n. Las: yes: the ANZ SEnTES FrES serly supported a: Figram because. it Fas said. lestice : Group drivers icrother for Visser Sirs series Not the the krea wra: Greep A racing is all abci: bonily. the Group Fade Fill gue Rigar the StaR 600705. For the amost РІсізsive!! male motor trade and media people ai the furatier itcere women preser the pres:dest. Donald !!char. had a surprise. The ciub wil! brid a 1Ekm G-cup A saloo race for women irder the sponsorship of Quians Fashicos Merivale retailer. The fister fili receive a $200) ma:drobe of fashicr gaTments trem Quins. In addi- 9 - 85 -35 IEZ fico fize Ts E. (1) 00 t.... entert the C3: $70 Ther caid 2:27€ cute cater da Group A salaca *33e ch. • -м. s cesprecd once the F.... Lare re Trans mier ..".-. .i532a cheg cheir mORDES 2=g05e that juncure. Pererer with : at .... there stould be ezcugh quick Group A cars to go round. A race of this type should stir up some interest and the fashion retailer dese-ves the motor recang Iratermity's thacks ict this ur usual support ifor ier Zealard; The Figram with #emer tended the Formula Pastic Lophy race Mr MoRay #as varie aboc: intely coates: a=s but! mould got be tea Eised E to cire pas ti the meste: ahead that this vear's discapolis 503 winne: Donny Sullivan. Fill mate hit for the Lass Rigram Trosby. Sucross in this year's indy race has made ibe charming Sullivan - into the all- Americar racer and. if, he does come to Christrhurch. that can't be a bad thing tor the Lady Wigram Trophy race. Quite a character As owner-operator of the muchfrequented widway Service Station and a man of immense vitality and character. Charles George Melver (Charlie) was something of a local celebrity. From 1954 to 1959 "Shotgun" Charlie's exploits featured strongly in the local newspapers - his ingenious burglar alarms and 12-gauge shotgun helping him apprehend no tewer inan tive burglars on station property. Outside the station, Charlie's interests were many and varied. He was involved forming the Papanui RSA and officiall opened its clubrooms and hall as President in 1948. The Lions Club was another of his interests and he was a charter member of both the Christchurch North and Rakaia clubs. As a member of the Motor Racing Club since its inception, Charlie was responsible for organising programmes and gatekeeping for the Lady Wigram motor race — a major source of funds for the RSA. His efforts in this area were later recognised by the national RSA, which awarded him the Certificate of Meritand eventually its highest honour, the Gold Star. Charles Mciver. with wife Joyce. He : was a man of vitality.