The glamour Formula Pacifie class has its best and biggest field for many years for this season's five round international motor racing series which starts at Baypark. Mt Naunganui. this weekend and continues through New Zealand for the next four weekends. Nineteen cars are confirmed entries. with the possibility of a couple of late ones. Favourite to win the series must be the titleholder, Paul Radisich. The 26-year-oid Aucklander, on top of his form, was devastatingly fast in his old Ralt in the 1988 series. For 1989 he will have a superior new Swift. However, it will not be so easy for him because American Dean Hali, in the latest Swift, will be more competitive than last year. He now knows the New Zealand circuits and his Graeme Lawrence team, and he is full of confidence after a convincing win in the West American Formula Pacific series. Who will be likely to challenge these two is more difficult to pick. No one will underestimate veteran Ken Smith in his 1988 Ralt, but at 47, it is getting more difficult for Smith to remain competitive. Hiro Matsushita, ot Japan, aiso in a swiit, nas already proved quick in testing. He is likely to be the surprise of the series. Lawrence's other two drivers, Mark Smith and Scott Gibson also should show up well, especially Smith who is a hard charger and has proven quick in testing. Lawrence's fourth driver is still unannounced The other Japanese driver. Kenji Morota, is experienced and competitive in this type of racing, so should be on the pace. Quick times Expatriate Kiwi and former Formula Ford champion, Mike Finch, should be fairly competitive with this group and American Stuart Crow in the latest Ralt also is capable of turning in quick times. Of the other local New Zealanders, watch out for a fast-improving Richard Lester, the talented teenager from Hamilton, Craig Baird, who has now sorted out the engine miss problems in his Caltex Ralt, and Ian Mac- Donald. Steve Richards, who drove well in his first season in the 1988 series, is back now he has sponsorship, and Heather Spurle could spring a tew surprises now that she has some sponsorship to pay for a competitive engine and tyres. Bryan Hartley, despite his proven ability. is struggling and short of funds, and charue Thomasen, Bob Greasey (from Australla) and Stu Murphy all lack the experience and top equipment to be front runners. The Formula Ford championship will be a three-way battle between two North Islanders and a South Islander. Barrie Thomlinson, of Auckland, showed flashes of brilliance last year and with that experience must be a front runner this year if he can maintain consistency. However. ne can expect a real challenge from the talented West Auckland teenager, Mark Pedersen, in his Swift and irom the promising Paul Larsen, of Christchuren, who has just acquired a new Van Dieman RF88. The racing between these three will be close and fast. Keep an eye out for the experienced Grant Campbell, and for David Blomquist and Chris Abbott, back racing in the ex-MacDonald Van Dieman. However, Formula Ford is designed to bring the best out of a good driver, so any of the 12 other drivers entered in this competitive class, could spring a surprise. A full field of 21 Formula Vees will make for since papa in the Domala 6-1-89 acre The favourite for th series, Aucklander P last Lady Wigram Ti venues during the ne is season's Formul aul Radisich, linea rophy race. The so xt five weekends, b * than he had on this occasio receive a strung challenge from old campaigners like George Hoskins and roung hard chargers ike teenager. Andrew Neale. and Frank Büllock. Popul ne of the most no sports sedans. These highly-modified salo shaking excitement half of them V85 championship Favourite motor cycle racer Ri V8 Starier With a ne and Freethis sophist lar class pular classes will be 1 ns will provide ground s the 28 cars entered fight out the big bang dger Freeth in his pote • ex-naikinsnaw eng ated suspension tun - Pacitic International motor-racing up at the front of the grid for the ene will be repeated at motorsport ut Radisich will be hoping for better He did not finish the race. he wever Kiran t owerful 18 in his F ucularly powered R.X7 nd a threat if it is favne Huxford is back ompetitive in his V8 C •8 Escort has surprise luring winter club race new powerful 18 eng eplace hi Commodore Inere is almos ran Din Grin uni: 18 Capr and Pet ad the inkelt appearan 189 American INSA C ills has installed PXT. John Ssborne s is devastatingly fast reliabie. Wellington's this year and always apri. Grant Brennan's i many with its speed - and Brett Willis has a ined Mazda MX6 to •Tanon's fast Escort rick IS RX7, Ian Meadows Corvette. of Steve Dymand's ette and you have horildoot handant Entries for the NZ touring car championship for Group A modified cars are a little disappointing. numbering 15, but there should be plenty of fast racing between the Sierra Cosworth turbos of Gary Croft and colourful Robbie Franevic, the Nissan Skyline Turbo of John Sax, and the three BMW M3s of Brett Riley, Kayne Scott and John Sorensen. Add John Billington's Commodore V8. Alan Prince's Jaguar XJS, Dave Lowe's Mustang and Gregg Taylor's BWM 635 to give plenty of variety. In the under 2.5 litre class, Ross Meekings is always quick in his Toyota Sprinter, lined up against the Corollas of Tony Whitehouse and Steve Willy, Mark Jennings in the Toyota dealer team Celica, and Jim Clark in a Ford Escort RS. Who will win? Provided the car keeps going, no one will get near hobbie Francevic. but keep an eye on Brett Riley. Production ears Production car racing returns with a vengeance, and good support from 19 entries in the Shell Saloon Championship. These massproduced cars, running to almost standard specifications will provide variety with close racing. Outright honours should go to one of the four Ford Laser Turbos, top rally driver Ray Wilson being the likely winner although the experienced Dave Slater will be there, backed up by former Formula Ford racer, Lou Vandermeer and Tony Oliver. In the 1601 to 2000cc class. Neil Allport's Mazda MX6, Keith Sharp's Alfa Romeo 33 and Murray Poot's Open Kadett GSi will provide interesting racing, but the hard wheel-towheel, fender-to-fender racing will come from the 1401-1600cc class with the Ford Laser TX3is of Steve Taylor, Gill Jarvis, Richard Field and Jack Drummond, ranged against the Toyota Corollas (mostly GTs) of Colin Taylor, Neil Johns, Marty Roestenburg. Joe McAndrew, John Roberts, Steve Willy and Wayne Booten and the sole Honda Civic of Chudleigh Haggett. No entries have been received for the O to 1400cc class. Close Mini Seven racing always provides plenty of entertainment and occasional thrills and with 17 cars entered in the Agip Otis North Regional Mini Seven races, there is bound to be some close guard-to-guard racing. Favourites will be Shaun Burton and Warren Herron, but there is always a chalienge coming from somewhere with these closely-matched cars. Tyre changing In conjunction with the full programme of races, as part of the entertainment there will be the Goodyear tyre changing and bowling competition and the "Sunday News" Miss Horizon group of resorts beauty contest, the winner of each contest at the five race tracks going forward to find the overall winner. The 1989 Benson and Hedges international motor racing series begins at Baypark, Mt Maunganui on January 7 to 8 then moves to Pukekohe, Auckland. for the Peter Jackson New Zealand Grand Prix from January 14 to 15. The series moves to the Manfeild circuit at Feliding near Palmerston North from January 2t to 22 then to the futh anniversary of the first meeting on the Wigram airtield circuit near Christchurch on January 28 to 29. The final round of the Benson and Hedges series is