26-7-91 19-7-91 THE LADY WIGRAM Trophy race meeting will almost certainly return to its traditional home at the Wigram Air Base in 1992, pending only final approvai of the venue by the Motorsport Association. The organising committee of the Motor Racing Club voted unanimously to return the meeting to the air base after an absence of two years. During that time the meeting was run at Ruapuna to accommodate runway resealing. The issue of whether or not to return to Wigram has divided the motorsport fraternity, but the Motor Racing Club have been adamant about its wish to return to Wigram. The club's president, Don Craighead, says the club is delighted to be able to return with the assistance of the Air Force. The circuit will feature revisions in the form of an extended loop section and resited pit area. But I have mixed feelings about the return to Wigram. The place is steeped in history and there have been many marvellous races on the circuit over the years, but more recently - with smaller fields and smaller capacity cars - the meetings have failed to provide the feeling of being part of a special occasion. For this reason, I fee! that it is essential that the promoters of the Peter Jackson series, Global Sports and Promotions, be persuaded to include Wigram in the Australia-New Zealand sports sedan series, which is due to be held on only the three North Island circuits in the coming season. A good field of big bangers is just what needed to bring the Wigram meeting to life once more. Wig ram set for return of international series some outside assistance with talk that the Teretonga has been reinstated after By Lindsay Kerr moves by Global to axe it. Clearly last Christchurch City Council is investigating year's meeting at the southern venue was the possibility of helping out. Pernaps a not an economic success. The weather was a Perhaps one of the worst kept motor street race like Adelaide or Wellngton disaster and as a consequence the crowd racing secrets areund is the news that the would be more to their liking, but this is international series will return to Wigram. Christchurch and such an ambition would be stayed away. In spite of thoughts that Wigram would be dreaming. Global, which has been responsible for abandoned in favour at staying at Ruapuna, For the immediate future, though, it is bringing motor racing in New Zealand up to the Motor Racing Club hosts have success- back to Wigram where 40 years of nostalgia date with other modern sport promotions, fully argued with the series organisers decided it could not afford to risk the Global Sports that the return is justified. "We see a new challenge ahead in southern exercise again. Apart from the There have been many, the writer bringing to the publie this prestigious New weather the distance, too, is a probiem. included, who believe Ruapuna should have Zealand motor race on the new and However, in a sudden about face Global been persevered with, principally to ensure improved runway and taxi areas of the has relented and Teretonga is back on. that the income derived from the once-a- Wigram base," a delighted club president year meeting is put back into the permanent Don Craighead said. Probably a financial deal has been struck, facility. "It is our intention for the next meeting to in spite of the Motorsport Association not On the other hand it cannot be denied that keep the infield area free of spectators and having a lot of money, but the risk of Wigram, because of its fast nature, is more we have also looked at moving the pit area another disaster could see the end of the popular with drivers and most spectators from its past position to enlarge the promoters and with it a giant backward step who like to see cars, and in particular the spectator area." for motor racing. single seaters, going fast. Such a move would be a return to the past The writer recently observed the editor of Wigram, too, has a special atmosphere where the pits were on the infield and the a local motorsport publication suggesting coming from a history which has seen some spectators able to see the action from the that Global should include the Teretonga of the great names of world motor racing outside of the often spectacular hairpin round irrespective of the cost. win at the airfield circuit. corner. Ruapuna, the other hand, is a The meeting for the Lady Wigram Trophy Such an attitude will serve only to bring permanent facility and needs every cent to will again form part of the Peter Jackson the sport's downfall. ensure its upgrading can benefit all areas of Global will not put up with another international series. the sport Scheduled for January 18/19, it will again bumper loss and should it happen they Ruapuna also has the chance of receiving be round three after Teretonga and Timaru. surely will be lost to the sport. Former world champion formula one driver Jim Clark in his Lotus Climax during the 1965 Lady Wigram.