15 - 4-94 76-7-91 Historic Wi motor race gram ends International round to Ruapuna by John Hawkins The Mot isers Wigram announc to hold the meetin tor Racing Club, organi the annual Lady Trophy meeting, has ced that it will not apply ag in 1995. The club's president, Don Craighead, said that the decision, tinged with some regret, had been influenced by many factors. The club's executive had taken into account several areas of concern before making the recommendation to its members. He said that with the introduction of the more powerful Formula Brabham cars as New Zealand's premier motor racing class, the club would have been required to meet more stringent safety regulations. These would have included the provision of c that would place resources and spectator viewing With spectato concrete safety barriers • a strain on the club's ould seriously restrict numbers remaining static in recent yea have little chance increased costs. Trac Racing Club has run c a year, due to the tem Wigram airfield circu the Lady Wigram Tr not therefore be ofi ars, the club would of absorbing the ditionally the Motor only the one meeting porary nature of the ut, and the loss from rophy meeting could iset against profits from other events. He added that the club had had to bear in mind the uncertain future of the Wigram base, which may have meant that any safety barriers purchased would have had a limited future. Dating back to 1949, the Wigram event is New Zealand's longest-surviving motor race. While Christchurch's international series round will be transferred to Ruapuna Raceway, it is unlikely that the Lady Wigram Trophy will be up for grads. "Our club recognises the efforts made by the Canterbury Car Club over the past two to three years at Ruapuna Raceway. It feels that the circuit is very much worthy of an international track licence and it would be inappropriate of us to stand in their way. The club would be prepared to assist Club in any way pos meeting is a success, The Canterbury Russell Boyd, said I even harder on the Canterbury Car sible to see that their " said Mr Craighead. Car Club president, his club would work its programme of improvements to kuap the international meet. and to capitalise on th Racing Club had put ir bringing international region. una to ensure that ing was a success. he work the Motor n over the years ir motor races to the LU CHRISTCHURCH IRE GARDEN CITY The cly state thines CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL WIGRAM AIRFIELD AND BASE The Wigram Task Force has been established by the Ministry of Defence and Christchurch City Councit to assess the viability of alternative uses for the RNZAF Base Wigram following the withdrawal of the RNZAF in 1996. The Task Force wishes to invite organisations and individuals who have proposals for the use of all or part of the base and who have not so far expressed their interest to either the Task Force or the Christchurch City Council, to register their interest prior to April 30th. All information received by the Task Force will be kept in a confidential manner, and used to assess options for the future use of the Base. Reports of interest should be sent to: Wigram Task Force, C/- Christchurch City Council PO Box 237 CHRISTCHURCH For further information please phone Mike Reid, (03) 3711.541. D JW HAMPTON GROUP MANAGER ADMINISTRATION