BAIRD TAKES TWO by Lindsay Kerr Teenage Hamilton driver Craig Baird upset his more fancied rivals to win the 50 lap Lady Wigram Trophy race at Ruapuna on January 28. In extreme heat Baird (Swift MacDonald. Although a lap down on DB4) survived the close attention of the leading three he also drove the Paul Radisich and the series leader race of his career, taking over the in the Perer Jackson Championship, fourth spor on lap 30 when Jovey veteran Ken Smith. Marcelo from the Philippines retired Over the first half of the race his Swift DB4 when a spark plug the gap between the trio never went cracked beyond one second and when Radisich dropped our when his Reynard ERROR 89E developed ignition problems, In the preliminary race over 25 only Ssec separated Baird, 19, and laps the battle out in front was Smith who was also in a Ford- similar to the trophy race. Baird powered Swift. made full use of his pole position At the end Smith had closed the and led out Radisich and Smith. gap to only .12sec with 12.52sec back On lap 12 Radisich made an to third place driver Robbie Groff uncharacieristic error, clipping a (U.S.) in his Toyota-powered Swift. track wall and spinning. He resumed, "It was the greatest win of my streaking home in fourth place life" Baird said. behind Baird, Smith and Groff. "I knew the opposition was Smith again looked as though close at hand but 1 could have gone he would get the better of Baird but, for another 50 laps. I work hard at my physical fitness and I was sure that the heat would be affecting Kenny (Smith) more than me. As a driver I feel I have now crossed the bridge." Smith, meanwhile, was generous in his praise for Baird, a driver who is less than half his age. "I tried everything I knew to get by him but he kept his cool," Smith said "I thought that I would be able to force a chink in his armour but to Craig's credit he did not falter. I can only congratulate him on a great win in what was a great race. Behind the American was the first of the Ralt RT4 drivers, lan when lapping backmarkers, Baird made better progress and won by 64sec. With only two races remaining in the series Smith leads Baird by 10 points, with Radisich third 37 points behind. Kieran Wills Mazda Chev had little trouble in winning both rounds of the Hansells Sun Valley Thundersaloon Championship, but behind him the action was fast and furious. National championship leader Rodger Freeth, (Rover Starlet) looked to have second place in race one but a fractured oil line kept him out, leaving Brett Willis (Mazda MXS) to challenge Wills. Freeth was back for race rao but Craig Baird scored bis first tuo Formula Pacific wins at Ruapuna. Photo: Euan Cameron. was edged our uf second place by Kayne Scor: ia nis American Nissan 300ZX. Scor: das not credired wich a finish in cale one, after starting from the pit lane under a red light. With Freeth's retirement from race one the championship lea passed to Christchurch driver Joh Osborne. who. aith iono-nonsens results, a fourth and a fift the next round in the lead PERFECT sichurch driver Paul Lurser intinued his relentless march securing the Motorcrate For Ford Champ ashir aith rzo away wins la the championship t date laser i the cartor ema with eight wins from eighe starts. The scrap for the minor places was left to champion Grant Campbell, Mark Pederson. Martin Carpenter, Andrew Neale and Christchurch's Grant Milligan and Andres McElrea. David Slater i Ford Lase: Turbo: again had little difficulty in winning both heats of the Castrol Production car Championship, although in one Face he had to keep a caretul eye on Louis Vandermeer in a similar car. North Islander, Angus Fogg. upset the locals in the first race of the Agip South Island Mini " Championship. While he ran away. the championship leaders had a be cuntent to fight it but for second This involved Avon Hyde and Peter Siact, while New Zealand champion, John Hamilton was initially with the bunch but slowed down with a suspension problem. Jim Little scored two hardfought wins in the Pre-6S Saloon Championship. Driving his Valiant V8, he was tracked all the way in both races by Paul Roffey and his Chev Belair. NEW ZEALAND SPEEDSPORT