24-1-94 Stokell by Jonn Hawkins Paul Stokell, from Australia, overcame treacherous, wet conditions to win the shortened • Lady Wigram Trophy race over 89km yesterday. Rain, which became steady prior to the start of the Peter Jackson race, forced all the runners onto wet tyres. New Zealand's hope, Greg Murphy, who had won the preliminary race, had his car pushed off the grid after finding the handling impossible having not previously driven the car in the wet. After Murphy had abandoned his car, it was decided to allow the teams a 10-minute break to adjust their cars to wet settings. Murphy then changed his mind and started from the back of the grid but spun off early in the race. The third car on the grid, Steve Cramp, also had his car pushed off, because of wet electrics. Some of the drivers took advantage of the break, but not Stokell. "I had my car set up to my liking and was happy with my decisions," said the 24-year-old after the race. The start, though, was almost his undoing. Stokell spun at the first corner and the lead was grabbed by German Michael Graf. Gr gesticulated to the of laps, hoping th stopped. As more wayside Stokell for of the 23 laps he hangers. Graf sai had misread his thinking the gap to af pulled clear, but officials for a number at the race might be cars dropped by the ught back. On the 15th e passed Graf by the d afterwards that he • crew's pit signals. Stokell read +4. not 14 seconds. Grat fought back but calm. "I just concentr myself in gently al puddles," said Stoke!! driven three races in th Englishman James ? race to gain third, on tr leaders, while Ken Sn New Zealander home — lap down. his Swift wrong suspension set In the MeLaren C O'Reilly. from Ta t Stokell remained rated on playing nd missing the , who had only le wet previously. laylor drove a fine he same lap as the ith was the first - in fourth place a suffering from ip choice. • section Maurice ranga, narrowly wins wet lady Wig ram race HI HACHI CH GOOD YEAR A Shell PHOTO: DAVID ALEXANDER headed home Christchurch's Robert Broek in sixth and seventh places respectively. Murphy led all the way in the first international points race with Stokell following him home and Cramp third, in a race marred by two periods under the ace Peter van breuge win in the openi Entertainment Syste There was excitemer last lap as Craig Bair 1 scored a surprise ing Hitachi Home ms touring car race. it at the loop on the rd forced through to second with his stalled his Comm hitting the igniti The BMW drivers made no mistake a wet track - fir Ashley Stick concerted attack Ken Smith in t Formula Ford Stichbury again had an easy • wit ace after 2 BMW after Ed Lamont odore after accidentally ion key with his knee. s, Brett Riley and Baird, in the second race - on nishing first and second. bury fought off from Andy Neale and he opening Motorcraft race. In the second triumphed. Kayne Scott n in the first TraNZam ip at the start. but had te üight past Kieran Wills in the second Single Seaters.- Race Stokell (Aust, Reynard) 2, Lady Wigram Trophy: Reynard) 2. d Taylor (UK, Watson (Australia, SPA) 5 MacKinlay (Lotus 7) 2. B Mi 2: Townshiend 1, Mackinlay HQ Hoiden.— Race 1: aghion 3. Race 2: P Whitco D Phillips 1, D Samson 2 Mini 7. - Race I: R Will ace 2: J Brook l. J Rich: ook 1, 8 Hartley 2. Timur Formula Ford.- Race 1: G Murphy (Reynard) ! S Cramp (Aust, Ralt) 3. Stokell I, M Graf (Germal Ralt) 3. K Smith (Swift) 4 M O Reilly (Ralt) 6 wnshend (Escort R$1800] 1 iles (Sierra Coswortin) 3. R: •2, W Murdoch ( Datsun 24 D Slater 1. D Philip: ›me 1. S Press 2, Slater 3 , S Timmings :. kinson 1, A Fogg 2, ('Lt ards 2. W Times 3. R lal motor racing series at Wigram yesterday A Neale (Van Dienen) 2. K Smith (Van Diemen) 3. Rac Stichbury 1, Smith 2, S Drake (Van Diemen) 3. Touring Cars. - Race 1: P Van Breugel (Commou C Baird (BMW) 2. B Riley (BMW) 3. Race 2: B R MW) 1. Baird 2. R McKay (Commodore) 3 TraNZant.— Race 1: K Scott (Mustang) 1, K Will: Camaro) 2. D Grindley (Oldsnobile) 3. Race 2: Scott 1 rindiey 2. Wills 3. Race 3: Sort 1. Wills 2. Grindley 3. Pre 65.- Race 1: J Littie (Valiant) 1. S R Istang) 2. K Moreton ‹ Mustang) 3. Race 2: Little Francevie 3. Race 2: D Blake 1, A MeFar ace 1: A Corkram 1, W Hensha 2: D) Kirk 1. Henshaw ?, PSiurg