7-10-89 Venue By jona Hawkins The future of intemationai motor racing in Christchurch appears to hang in the balance this month after the announcement that the Wigram circuit will not be available for the next two years because of reconstruction work being carried out on the airfield's runways. Much will depend On negotiations due to be held between the traditiona organisers of the Lady Wigram Trophy meeting, the Motor Racing Club, and the Canterbury Car Club, owners of the Ruapuna circuit. Spokesmen for both clubs appeared to be keen for the event to remain in Christchurch. "We are working very bard toward shifting to Ruapuna and hope we can retain the event in Christchurch at a new venue for the club" said Mr Don Craighead, president of the Motor Racing Club. Mr Craighead also agreed that a probiem with the Wigram venue had been that the spectators were a long way from the action and this would be alleviated at Ruapuna. However. the club had been invited back to Wigram switch in 1992 and the immediate intention was to return there for that meeting Mr Greame Cornelius. president of the Canterbury Car Club, said that both parties were hopeful that a satisfactory agreement can reached at an eariy stage to allow time for any possible upgrading that might be needed on the Ruapuna facility to bring it up to international standard in time for January's meeting. Should the two clubs not reach agreement, the Peter Jackson international series round, set for Christchurch on January 28, would probably be transfered to Invercargill's Teretonga Park circuit. Three prominent Christchurch racing drivers were unanimous in their disap pointment aiter the announcement of the loss of the next two year's racing at Wigram. "Not that I was likely to compete there this season, but from a driver's point of view I think it is a disaster," said Trevor Crowe, who estimates he has raced eight or nine times at the Wigram CIrCult. mooted •Wigram was • interesting and exciting with its offcamber bends and high speed entry into the back straight. Ruapuna hasn't got the same buzz, " be added. Paul Larsen, runner-up in last years national Formula Ford and a likely shame conte contender for this year's title, agreed. "Although I've never had heaps of joy there it's disap pointing to lose Wigram. It's a highlight of the year like the Grand Prix of the South Isiand. I'm not sure Ruapuna is big enough but the situation is beyond our control — it might have more spectator appeal." he said. John Osborne, one of the New Zealand's top sports sedan, now Thunder saloon, drivers for many years, will miss racing at Wigram. "A race is a race, but it's a shame Wigram won't be used as it's one of the best driver circuits." Osborne believed that should the meeting be moved to the Ruapuna venue closer racing might eventuate as the differences in vehicie performance and driver ability were not as exaggerated on a smaller, tighter circuit. 30-12-89 Series There is every indication that the Benson and Hedges international motor-race series, which brought new vigour to New Zealand circuits last summer, will continue to improve things this season. The series, which will begin at Baypark on January 8 and take in meetings in Pukekohe, on January 15, Manfeild, on January 22, Wigram, on January 29, and Timaru, on February 5, has as its showpiece the Peter Jackson Formula Pacific series. Two heats for the Pacific cars will be run at each meeting, making up a 10-round championship. At the time of writing. eight overseas entries had been received by the organisers, Global Sports and Promotions, with at least one further entry confidently expected. Of the known сопenders the biggest team vill again by fielded by Graeme Lawrence, who vill run three Americanwilt Swifts for last year's Lady wigram Trophy promises more John Hawkins on RACING winner. Dean Hall, of the United States, and his compatriots Mark Smith and Scott Gibson. Confirming the emergence of Japanese drivers on the international scene, are Hiro Matsushita and Kenji Maroto, both of whom will also drive Swifts. The former driver, now turned team manager, Dave McMillan, is once again running a wealthy American, this time Stuart Crow, while an expatriate New Zealander and former national Formula Ford champion, Mike Finch, will make the overdue move to Pacifics in a Ralt RT4, albeit an oider version than Crow's. A staunch supporter of the series, Bob Creasy, from Perth. will return for the sheer enjoyment of motor racing; he is unlikely to be near the front-running pace. At first glance all the aforementioned would appear to be cannon fodder for last year's series winner, the accomplished New Zealand international, Paul Radisich. Radisch, however. IS likely to be making the move from his elderly. but tried but tested Ralt RT4 to one of the new, and increasingly numerous Swifts. If, as his rivals will no doubt be hoping, Radisich takes time to adapt to his new mount. the established Swift runners, such as Hall and Matsushita, will not be found wanting. Hall, who showed vastly improved. form toward: improvement KENJI MAMOTO the end of the last series, Will return a much tougher competitor after a successful season in the United States with knowledge of the New Zealand circuits gleaned during his last campaign and a good working relationship with Lawrence's team. Matsushita finished third in the American west Formula Atlantic series. which was won by Hail. and has sponsorship from his family's com- pany, Panasonic. Mark Smith, aged 21, has a strong reputation in Super Vee racing, and should mature as a race driver during the series, as have many other young Americans in the past. Of the New Zealand contingent, Ken Smith is also thought to be making late negotiations for a Swift, but if these plans fail to reach fruition he will drive a 1988 model Rait RT4. To describe Smith as a veteran is the ultimate overworking of a clicbe; in fact, his age is no longer a novelty. Suffice to say that Ken Smith is always a threat and will remain so during this year's Peter Jackson series. Other leading New Zealanders in the field will be Richard Lester, Steve Richards and the Formula Ford graduates, Craig Baird and lan Mac- Donald. Baird, the Formula Ford titieholder, is highly rated and McDonald, formerly of Christchurch, is progress ing well in his move to the more powerful Pacific Class