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Drivers' talent on line

Preview of the clash between American Dean Hall and New Zealander Paul Radisich in the two Formula Pacific heats at Wigram, including the Lady Wigram Trophy race. Hall won the first four heats of the series while Radisich, the defending champion, had switched late to a Swift; Hall had threatened to go home to the US after complaints about officials favouring local drivers. Mark Smith, Ken Smith, Hiro Matsushita and Kenji Momota are also contenders.

Facts

  • Before the January 1989 Wigram meeting the Peter Jackson Formula Pacific points were Hall 46, Radisich 25, M. Smith 24, K. Smith 23, Matsushita 15, C. Baird 10.
  • A tyre-throwing competition between teams and a display of racing cars were held in Cathedral Square, Christchurch, the day before the 1989 Wigram meeting.

Photos

  • Rick Cameron, of the Kenjimomota team, Auckland, pits his skills against members of other teams in a tyre throwing competition in the Cathedral Square, yesterday. Also in the Square was a display of racing cars that will take part in the meeting.
Read the OCR text
28-1-89 ... -307 Rick Cameron, of the Kenjimomota team, Auckland, pits his skills against members of other teams in this week-end's Wigram motor car racing meeting at a tyre throwing competition in the Cathedral Square, yesterday. Also in the Square was a display of racing cars that will take part in the meeting. Drivers Two young men driven by an ambition to reach the pinnacle of achievement in their chosen sport will put their talent on the line tomorrow at the Benson and Hedges International motor race meeting at wigram. Dean Hali, • of the United States and Paul Radisich (New Zealand), will clash in two heats of ¡ the Peter Jackson Formula Pacific series, including the prestigious Lady Wigram Trophy Race. The encounter is shaping up as one of the most closely contested in recent years. Hall took the first four heats of the series by storm, with Radisich, the defending champion, seemingly caught off balance by a late decision to change to a Swift car similar to that used by talent Hall. Radisich bounced back like a true professional at Manfeild, while Hall allowed himself to be unsettled by events beyond his control and has accused the New Zealand officials of favouring local drivers. At one stage Hall was so upset that he decided to return to the United States, but later decided to stay and defend his series lead at the final rounds at Wigram and Timaru. This week-end's Wigram meeting will be a chance for Hall to show that he has the strength of character to go with his undoubted car control, a strength he will be forced to call on many times if he does indeed graduate to ARS and Indycars Radisich, meanwhile, can be expected to try on line and exploit any weakness in Hall's psyche, and although he has a formidable problem to tackle in closing the points difference to the American, he can be expected to set about the task of retaining his title with the tenacity of a bulldog Others who can be expected to have a chance in the hunt for the trophy include another young: American, Mark Smith, who is quickly coming to: grips with Formula: Pacific racing; Ken Smith, the 1976 winner and the two Japanese, Hiro Matsushita and Kenji Momota. Points in • the Peter Jackson series prior to Wigram: Hall, 46; Radisich, 25; M. Smith, 24; K. Smith, ' 23; Matsushita, 15; C. Baird, 10; Momota,

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