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preview · The Press (advertising supplement)

Faster laps likely on new Wigram runway

International motor racing returns to Wigram Air Base after a two-year absence while the runways were rebuilt. The race control and start/finish area have been resited near the loop, and the new surface is expected to produce faster lap times on what is already New Zealand's fastest circuit. The 15-race Sunday programme begins at 9.45am and includes Formula Atlantic, ICI Autocolor Formula Ford, Primo Tranzam, Autonews Group N, classic saloons, Pre 65, Mini 7 and a combined HQ Holden and Mazda RX7 class.

Facts

  • The Lady Wigram Trophy meeting of January 18-19, 1992 had a 15-race schedule beginning at 9.45am Sunday.
  • For 1992 the race control and start-finish area at Wigram were resited near the loop after the runway reconstruction.
  • International motor racing had been absent from Wigram for two years before January 1992 because of runway reconstruction.

Photos

  • Paul Larsen led from start to finish in the Formula Fords at Timaru last Sunday.
  • The Oldsmobile Cutlass driven by Christchurch's Don Grindley should be highly competitive in the Primo Tranzam class on the fast Wigram circuit.
preview

Baird starts favourite

Craig Baird, unbeaten so far in the 1992 Peter Jackson Series with his Reynard 92H Toyota, starts Sunday's Wigram heats as clear favourite. His opposition is led by Britain's Julian Westwood, Ken Smith (aged 50) and Paul Radisich in Swift DB4S cars. A Bruce McLaren Trophy class has been set up for older Ralt RT4 owners, with Greg Murphy, Mark Pedersen, Chris Maxwell, Ian MacDonald and Steve Richards contesting it.

Facts

  • The Bruce McLaren Trophy was a class instituted in the 1992 Peter Jackson series to encourage owners of older Ralt RT4 models.
  • Baird barged past Julian Westwood at Levels in the 1992 series.
Read the OCR text
17-9-92 A Press" Advertising Suppleme Lady Wigram Trophy Face Meeting - January 18-19 Faster new W NTERNATIONAL motor-racing will return to the Wigram Air Base this weekend after an enforced absence of two years because of runway reconstruction. The resiting of the race control and start finish area, which are now near the loop, is expected to ada a new dimension to the Lady Wigram Trophy Race Meeting which over the years has become a tradition in New Zealand motor-racing. As well, the reconstruction of the runways is expected to enable faster lap times on the wide open circuit, aiready regarded as the fastest in New Zealand. The 15-race schedule, which will begin at 9.45am on Sunday, will include races for the Peter Jackson laps likely on igram runway Formula Atlantic single seaters, ICI Autocolor Formula Fords, Primo Tranzams, Autonews Group N saloons, and classic saloons, as well as the popular South Island categories of Pre 65, Mini 7s, and a combined HQ Holden and Mazda RX7 class. The Wigram venue has proved popular over the years with Christchurch enthusiasts who have flocked to see some of the top names in motor-racing test their skills on the expanses of the airfield. Drivers such as Jim Clark, Graham Hill, and Jochen Rindt, along with Stirling Moss, Jackie Stewart, and Jack Brabham, have all contested the Trophy Race together with our own top flight drivers, Denny Hulme and Chris Amon. During this year's Trophy Race, spectators will have a chance to watch New Zealand's present top trio, Craig Baird, Paul Radisich, and Ken Smith, do battle with the rapid British driver, Julian Westwood. Possible future champions, such as Greg Murphy and Mark Pedersen, will race in the Formula Atlantic cars, and Ashley Stitchbury, Andrew Neale, and Christchurch's Shane Drake will compete in the Formula Fords. With the Wigram Air Base in doubt, this weekend's meeting may be the last chance for patrons to see the Trophy Race contested on this hallowed motorsport arena. Paul Larsen lead from start to finish in the Formula Fords at Timaru last Sunday. PRENED 34: WEAL # Castrol The Oldsmobile Cutlass driven by Christchurch's Don Grindley should be highly competitive in the Primo Iranzam class on the fast Wigram circuit. Craig Baird has to date joined the series to gain racing enjoyed an unbeaten experience, and so neither should run in the Peter Jack- Baird a clear favourite be experienced expected to drivers, Challenge the such as No 1 son Series with nis Smith, Westwood and Radisich, Reynard 92H Toyota. Craig Baird will start Sunday's Having won the Peter Jackson domination of Baird, Smith, and but monitor their improvement it will be interesting to RACING * two Peter Jackson Series heats at title last season, Baird has little Radisich in recent years. as left to prove here. But, as test and the series progresses. FUEL Wigram as a clear favourite to Smith, aged 50, has been a part A race within a race should retain his unbeaten record in the development driver for the new of the motor-racing scene in New 92H model, develop between the Bruce series. Reynard only wins Zealand for more than 30 years. For you supplies at can satisfy the Hamiltonian. McLaren Trophy contenders. This Baird stunned his rivals with Radisich had an unsettled start series has been instituted to competitive prices. the speed of his new Reynard in Baird's opposition will be led to the series. After changing back encourage participation Dy the opening round at Teretonga by Britain's Julian Westwood, and from a Reynard to a Swift, he Ralt RT4 Engine Exchange service owners of the older two weeks ago and reinforced his New Zealand's Ken Smith and chased a handling problem with models which were once predetermination by barging past Paul Radisich, driving Swift tittle success at Teretonga but dominant in the Atlantic class. alter Hire the British driver, Julian DB4S. Westwood, who drives for miure seemed to be getting to grips with Greg Murphy and Mark Peder- count tyres a ballro Westwood, at Levels last weekend Graeme Lawrence's Mobil Swift the car at Levels only to suffer sen, who have moved up from oinitrass in a move which surprised even Toyota team, appeals as the most engine probiems. Formula Fords, and Chris Maxseasoned observers. professional overseas driver to Radisich seems to excel at well from Formula Vee are excit- Grade Mecha Baird, aged 21, is at the cross- race in the New Zealand series Wigram and will be in with while Ian ing prospects, roads of his motorsport career. since Davy Jones chance as long as the Swifts can MacDonald and Steve Richards Last season he won the Peter Westwood. who finished third Stay with the fleeing Reynard. have contested Formula BLIGHS ROAD Mobil jackson title but although he in last season's British Formula Two other British drivers, Atlantic ciass for several seasons, SERVICE STATION travelled to Britain in search of a 3000 series, is fast and not easily Harry Nuttall and James Taylor. being unable to find the finance drive he failed raise thre railed and has beer the first will be driving Swifts at Wigram necessary to move into more CNR BLIGHS & IDRIS RDS PH. 351-6277

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