Circuit LaC ing hits MOT 19-9-86 By Lindsay Kerr Motor racing in the late 1950s and early 1960s invariably drew large crowds. It mattered not what the status of the meeting was nor where the racing was held As cars became more One of the less obvious is sophisticated and the saf- the circuits which are used ety regulations became today. tighter the crowds began With the exception of the to diminish. formula 1 scene, until 1985 Speedway did not sutter. almost every track used is If fact as tracks became purpose built. more professional and the The spectators thus action more spectacular become removed from any crowds grew. real atmosphere and with Rallying has flourished permanent satety barriers since its introduction in the accidents have become New Zealand in 1969. divorced from reality. Circuit racing today in Cars hitting hay bales at New Zealand has reached the corner of city streets the low point of all times. are a thing of the past. Whether the motor racing Averages purists believe it or not, On the local scene at most came to see the Park a good accidents. crowd today would be That is why speedway about 1500. Twenty years nas become so popular; ago crowds used to aver- accidents happen at reguage 5000 for ordinary lar intervals while in ralmeetings. If there were lies, most competitors look. any national championship to be out of control even races on the programme though they are not. that crowd would double. The annual January pil- Street racing in New Wigram's heyday ... Bruce McLaren's Cooper leads Bob Eade's Maserati 250F in the 1963 grimage to Wigram also Zealand died principally event. because of the expense has fallen on hard times. Street racing however Throughout the 1960s involved in setting up the the idea of promoting their Birmingham. in the face of track and the resultant appears to be on the way city through motor racing major opposition from the: crowds of 20,000 plus back with facilities for only a once-a- the autorities with the successful Nissan owners of the permanent would turn up. Today who control the roads Mobil 500 crowd of 10,000 would be year attair. for group A circuIts. has successfully recognising the benefits touring cars. staged a major race for considered exceptional. Street racing also that can be gained from formuia 3000 t the accepted Wnile the change in atti- •allowed smaller towns to In Australta the South standards promoting cars racing Australian Government stepping stone io formula dude to safety run something that would around their roads. 1). and the sophistication of involve the entire commu- saw the merits of allowing Regrettably it is not the street racing and was well With crowds that would modern cars have played a nity. For their efforts the major part in the demise Waimates which are back rewarded by being average only around 8000 town became well known on the recognised in action. Their small size awarded a round of the circuits of racing as a spectator throughout the country. for such a race. the Birmattraction. other factors Waimate, Levin and will not allow it. Welling- world formula 1 chamalso ton is the first in New pionship. ingham race in spite of a have played a big Renwick are examples of wet dav which resulted in part. this. Zealand to get back into In England the city of the race being stopped at hali distance. was WItnessed by 20.000 people. With formula 1 it matters not what type of circuit is used. the crowds still turn up The probiem now exists for motor racing promoters throughout the world whether to foster more street races, at the expense of the permanent iacilities and get the erowds of yesteryear back. If they chose the former thepermanentfacilitieswill suffer and 50 will the opportunities for all aspiring racing drivers to get started without having to race in front oi admission- Grand (from left) Jack Brabham, Arnold paying spectators. prix stars The legendary Lycoming Special, with Jim Boyd at the wheel, powers out of The answer lies in a Glass and Stirling Moss chat before the 1962 Wigram church bend in the 1966 Waimate 50 compromise situation. race.