21-1-88 "PRESS" ADVERTISING FEATURE BENSON& HEDGES International Motor Racing Series Kiwi driver tipped to take top Despite the presence of a formidable line up of overseas driving talent, two New Zealanders from opposite ends of the age spectrum stand out 8S likely favourites for honours in the Digital Computers Formula Pacitic rounds at the Benson and Hedges International motor race meeting at Wigram on Sunday. The 1987 Lady Wigram Trophy Race winner, Paul Radisich, has experience in British Formula 3 and American Super Vee. racing behind him and has matured into a professional race driver who remains this country's best hope for inter. nationai single seater success. Although Radisich will be driving an older model Rait R.1.4, the car proved capable of winning at Manfeild Baypark and Pukekohe as well as outrunning the more modern opposition in last vear's Trophy race. Excit This week-end's Benson and Hedges International Motor race meeting a: Wigram will be part of an exciting departure from the normai summer international series meetings ibat spectators have be. come used to watching uver the years. This year's series is the first to be organised by the professional promonans group. Global Sports and At 46 years of age, and seemingly happily recovered from the heart operation which threatened to sideline him for the Digital Computers series, Ken Smith continues to amaze with his pace and driving skills, which remain untarnished long after his former contempories have faded from the scene. The 19-year-old, bespectacled Canadian, Paul Tracy, is his countrys Formula Ford 2000 champion, with a turn of speed which belies his l00ks. Tracy made a big impression on the British motor sport press when he raced there in 1986 and gained a reputation as a driver who left hitle room for compromise. A big future in motor spor is predicted for Tracy and as part of the Mita Copiers arm of Graeme Lawrence's teams' twopronged attack Tracy will drive tbe Ralt R.T.4 ing cl Promotions. and already there are signs that the associarion has ushered in 3 brigh! new era in New Zealand molor-sport. Fields in all classes have improved by way of quacity and quality, and while strong emphasis is still placed on the Digita! Computers Formula Paci fic class. healthy championships are being contested in enter categories. The Benson and Hedges lew Zealand: Touring Car 1 nampionshi. poplier Group heing hele over hono driven here last season by Davy Jones. Tracy's team mate will be the 23-year-old American, Dean Hall, who will drive a sleek new, American-built Swift. Much attention will focus on the car during the New Zealand races to determine whether it is a viable alternative to the various derivatives of the evergreen Rait R.T.4. Lawrence's second team is the Philips Moving Sound sponsored division, led another American. Ted Prappas, who raced here in 1986 and went on to win the American championship that year. Prappas feels that his previous foray to New Zealand did much to hone his race skills. The second driver in this team is Andy Mc- Elrea, the only Christchurch driver entered in the Trophy Race. - The expatriate Kiwi, Graham Watson. is return- lange inaugural Sun Valley Sports Sedan championship caters for the crowdpleasing Sports Sedans which finally ge: the national series thet ihey richly deserve The Motoreral: Formula Ford championship. where aspiring voung For. mula Pacific drivers learn their trade. is also experiencing record citries. with up in 29 cars fealur. ing in cut and thrust rac- Extra intere ence of ine Prime M urs ing for another campaign with a two car team for David Brabham of Australia and American Parker Johnstone. Brabham, a son of the three times world champion driver Sir Jack Brabham, looks to be a much improved driver over the novice who took his fledgling steps in Formula Pacific during last year's New Zealand series. The articulate Johnstone, who holds a degree in computer science. the manager of the famous Bob Bondurant school of performance driving and has looked most competent in his appearances during the Digital Computers series in New Zealand. The other Americans in the field are Dan Marvin who will drive for Alan McCall, and Robbie Groff who will pilot a brand new 1988 Rait R.T.4 Under the auspices of the former racer Daye McMillan. Lady Wigram Trophy Meeting Saturday, January 23, Sunday january 24, 1 1 a.m. where A New Zealand driver is tipped to win the 1988 Digital Computers Formula Pacific Championship in the Benson and Hedges international motor racing series. Paul Radisich (in front of the field above) Is one likely winner.