17-9-86 Wig Jeff MacPherson model of consistency. ram races s By Lindsay Kerr American Jeff MacPherson seems certain to wrap up this season's New Zealand International Formala Pacific motor racing series when he takes to the Wigram course on Sunday. Only misfortune or mechanical problems can cheat the consistent MacPherson of his goal. Throughout the series leading to the weekend's Lady Wigram Trophy event. MacPherson has been a model of consisteney, driving his Graham Watsonowned Rait RT4 to a seven-point lead over fellow- American Ross Cheever. Now that Cheever has returned home. MacPhersor. looks a sitter for the championship. MacPherson's closest rival will now be another American. Ted Prappas. Prappas, like MacPherson and the other leading contenders. will be driving a Rait R14. After a consistent string of major placings without a win. Prappas is in third place on the ladder. 18 points behind MacPherson and two points ahead of the fourth- hould be clincher placed. driver and first New Zealander Paul Radisich. With nine points for a win. Prappas will have to win both heats on Sunday and MacPherson finish out of the points for him to climb the ladder and be joint winner with MacPherson. Radisich who intends to make another trip to the United Kingdom to race in the competitive British formula three series, has by his own standards had a disappointing series. With luck, however, he is certainly capable of finishing this series on a high note. The battle for the minor placings throughout the series has been closely fought with little between Prappas. Radisich, another New Zealander. Brett Riley, and the other Americans in the championship, Steve and Carey Bren. On the points board. this factor is not shown with Riley and the Brens having some non-finishes along the way. The only Australian in the field to contest Sunday's two races is Bob Creasy, from Western Australia. farmer. Creasy has had only limited competition compared to the front-runners, and his venture to New Zealaind is to gain further experience against some of the rising stars in the sport. Creasy's results have been mixed. There was some frustration during the last round at Manfeild when he found himself a non-starter after a gearbox problem. The veteran New Zealanders in the field. Kenny Smith and Dave McMillan, have strangely been off the pace. Some of this is attributable to their not running the most up-to-date modifications on their Ralt R4s. and some to their own attitudes. Both have been driving for more than 20 years, and by their own admission nowadays compete purely to enjoy themseives. On Sunday, however; they have incentives to do well. Smith is still the lap record-holder at Wigram, an honour he wants to keep as long as he is racing. McMillan is a double winner at Wigram, in 1979 and 1980, and should he record another win would be second only to Graham McRae, who has won the trophy four times to equal the legendary Jimmy Clark. The only Christchurch driver in the field indeed. the only Christchurch driver to have competed in the event for sometime - is the current Forumla Ford champion, John Crawford. Driving a Dart car which has been extensively modified with Ralt parts, Crawford has been running ob a shoestring budget - so much so that he was forced to sit out last week's races in order to use the money at his disposal in attempting to get more horsepower out of his motor. Sunday's two races will be run in heats of 20 and 30 laps respectively. with the second being the phillp Mills Luxury Cars - sponsored Lady Wigram Trophy race. Progress points - MacPherson 33, Cheever 33. Prappas 22. Radisich 20, Cary Bren 12. Smith 11, Riley 6. Creasy, Steven Bren, McMillan and Peter Haskett 2. Sunday's meeting will also include championship rounds for OSCA. New Zealand touring cars, pre-1965 saloons, Mini 7s, Formula Ford. 2.5GT Saloons and a race for women the first in New Zealand motor racing.