Wigram TrophyMotor racing at Wigram airfield · Christchurch · 1949–2000
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Season 1956

Results · 1956

Lady Wigram Trophy 1956: Peter Whitehead (Ferrari 500/750S), International Formula Libre.

Wigram · Lady Wigram Trophy · 21 January 1956

Open Car Race (25 miles, 12 laps) · 12 laps

PosDriverCarTimeSource
1Tony Shelly (Wellington)Morgan23:03.121 Jan 1956, 23 Jan 1956 +1
2Blackburn (Christchurch)Citroen Special21 Jan 1956
2V. Blackburn (Christchurch)Citroen23 Jan 1956, 23 Jan 1956
3Ron Rutherford (Christchurch)Vauxhall21 Jan 1956, 23 Jan 1956
3Rutherford (Christchurch)R.A.-Vauxhall23 Jan 1956

Sports Car Race (24 laps, 50.7 miles) · 24 laps

PosDriverCarTimeSource
1Tony Gaze (Great Britain)H.W.M. Jaguar39:5821 Jan 1956
2Ray Archibald (Christchurch)Jaguar XK12021 Jan 1956
3Allan Moffat (Ashburton)Jaguar XK12021 Jan 1956

500cc Expert Race (21 miles) · 10 laps

PosDriverCarTimeSource
1A. G. Holland (Christchurch)Norton16:34.221 Jan 1956, 23 Jan 1956
2I. R. McCleary (Christchurch)A.J.S. 7R21 Jan 1956, 23 Jan 1956
3N. McCutcheon (Dunedin)A.J.S. 7R21 Jan 1956, 23 Jan 1956

Junior Experts Race for Motor-cycles

PosDriverCarTimeSource
1I. R. McCleary (Christchurch)A.J.S. 7R13:45.821 Jan 1956
2N. McCutcheon (Dunedin)A.J.S. 7R21 Jan 1956
3Swarbrick (Oxford)A.J.S. 7R21 Jan 1956

All-powers Race for Motor-cycles, 500cc class

PosDriverCarTimeSource
1B. McGibbon (Tai Tapu)Triumph21 Jan 1956
2S. Burtt (Southbridge)Norton21 Jan 1956

Motor-cycle All-powers Race, 350cc class

PosDriverCarTimeSource
1A. M. Daniel (Christchurch)B.S.A.21 Jan 1956, 23 Jan 1956
2E. Timms (Timaru)AJS 7R21 Jan 1956, 23 Jan 1956
3S. L. Waudby (Christchurch)B.S.A.23 Jan 1956

All-powers Race for Motor-cycles, 200cc class

PosDriverCarTimeSource
1C. Fisk (Christchurch)Excelsior21 Jan 1956
2B. Knowles (Christchurch)Francis Barnett21 Jan 1956
3R. Scott (Christchurch)O.E.C.21 Jan 1956

Lady Wigram Trophy Race (71 laps, 150 miles) · 71 laps

PosDriverCarTimeSource
1Peter Whitehead (England)Ferrari1:48:00.321 Jan 1956, 23 Jan 1956 +12
2Tony Gaze (England)Ferrari1:48:18.6 fastest lap 1:26.721 Jan 1956, 23 Jan 1956 +1
3Leslie Marr (England)Connaught1:49:35.621 Jan 1956, 23 Jan 1956 +1
4Reg Parnell (England)Aston Martin1:53:15.221 Jan 1956, 23 Jan 1956 +1
5Syd Jensen (Palmerston North)Cooper1:53:51.6 first New Zealander21 Jan 1956, 23 Jan 1956 +1
6Frank Shuter (Christchurch)Special1:56:09.121 Jan 1956, 23 Jan 1956 +1
7Ron Roycroft (Auckland)Bugatti-Jaguar1:57:05.521 Jan 1956, 23 Jan 1956 +1
8Ron Frost (Wellington)Cooper1:58:28.2 broke chain two laps from home, restarted21 Jan 1956, 23 Jan 1956 +1
9Ross Jensen (Auckland)Austin Healey2:01:12.623 Jan 1956, 23 Jan 1956
10Arthur Moffatt (Ashburton)Jaguar XK12068 laps23 Jan 1956, 23 Jan 1956
11Ray Archibald (Christchurch)Jaguar XK12068 laps23 Jan 1956, 23 Jan 1956
12Jim Boyd (Auckland)Buckler63 laps23 Jan 1956, 23 Jan 1956
DNFRonnie Moore (Christchurch)Cooper severed oil pipe21 Jan 1956
DNFJohn McMillanAlfa Romeo dropped a valve21 Jan 1956
DNFPat HoareMaserati 4CLT broke an oil return after a late start21 Jan 1956
DNFWally DarrellA.C.E. Special oil radiator burst21 Jan 1956
DNFTom Sulman (Australia)Aston Martin crown wheel and pinion, about half distance21 Jan 1956
DNFDavid McKay (Australia)Aston Martin transmission trouble, lap 1821 Jan 1956

Saloon Car Race (12 laps, 25 miles) · 12 laps

PosDriverCarTimeSource
1P. P. Stringer (Auckland)Porsche Super26:11.221 Jan 1956
1A. P. Stringer (Auckland)Porsche Super26:11.223 Jan 1956, 23 Jan 1956
2V. L. Neate (Christchurch)Borgward21 Jan 1956, 23 Jan 1956 +1
3Ian Archibald (Christchurch)Citroen21 Jan 1956, 23 Jan 1956 +1

Redex Sports Car Race (50.784 miles)

PosDriverCarTimeSource
1Tony GazeH.W.M.-Jaguar39:5823 Jan 1956, 23 Jan 1956
2Ray ArchibaldJaguar XK12023 Jan 1956, 23 Jan 1956
3McKay (Australia)Aston Martin DB3S23 Jan 1956
3David McKay (Australia)Aston Martin DB3S23 Jan 1956
4Tom Sulman (Australia)Aston Martin DB3S23 Jan 1956, 23 Jan 1956

Motor-cycle All-powers Race, 500cc class (10.58 miles)

PosDriverCarTimeSource
1B. McGibbon (Tai Tapu)Triumph23 Jan 1956
3Round (Christchurch)Triumph23 Jan 1956

Motor-cycle All-powers Race, 250cc class

PosDriverCarTimeSource
1P. Phillips (Christchurch)B.S.A.23 Jan 1956
2Graham Stuthridge (Christchurch)Ariel23 Jan 1956
3R. Taggart (Christchurch)B.S.A.23 Jan 1956

Motor-cycle All-powers Race, 200cc class

PosDriverCarTimeSource
1C. Fisk (Christchurch)Excelsior23 Jan 1956
2R. Knowles (Christchurch)Francis Barnett23 Jan 1956
3R. Scott (Christchurch)O.E.C.23 Jan 1956

Junior Experts Race (17 miles)

PosDriverCarTimeSource
1I. R. McCleary (Christchurch)A.J.S.13:45.823 Jan 1956
2N. McCutcheon (Dunedin)A.J.S.23 Jan 1956
3J. Swarbrick (Oxford)A.J.S. 7R23 Jan 1956

Reports: Traffic to car races orderly · Lady Wigram car race to be held again next year · Wigram motor race: January 21, 1956, fixed as date · Wigram now international car race · Wigram car race: R.A.C. international status, overseas drivers expected · International status for car race · Maybach to compete in Wigram race · Jones to compete at Wigram · Top overseas drivers will come to N.Z. · Overseas drivers to tour N.Z.: attractive prize money · Australian entry in Wigram motor race · Top cars, drivers in Lady Wigram race

The 1956 clippings

Second International Lady Wigram Trophy RaceSix overseas entrants (Parnell, Marr, Gaze and Whitehead from England; Mackay and Sulman from Australia)…
New Zealanders could be threat in car raceMechanic Stan Elsworth, who looks after the Whitehead and Gaze Ferraris, predicted the Lady Wigram Trophy…
Delay in shipment of cars for Wigram raceShipping delays on the Navua, which reached Lyttelton at 12.30 p.m.
Racing cars arrive: bodywork damaged in transitThe Ferraris of Tony Gaze and Peter Whitehead were dented in transit from Auckland and sent to city…
Lady Wigram race will be keen test of enduranceThe Mayor of Christchurch, R. M. Macfarlane, welcomed the overseas drivers, calling the race a keen test of…
Car race will end year of preparationA look at how the Motor Racing Club organises the Lady Wigram Trophy: because Wigram is an operational RNZAF…
Clipping page 109Cartoon-style quip about traffic officers and licences, with a photograph of Peter Whitehead (Ferrari) and…
Setting for today's international car raceAerial photograph of the Wigram airfield with the Lady Wigram Trophy circuit outlined in white.
Fire danger at Wigram: club officials appeal for careMotor Racing Club officials warned of acute fire danger at Wigram on race day, recalling a major aerodrome…
British driver wins Wigram Trophy racePhotographs of the 1956 Lady Wigram Trophy: the start with Gaze, Marr and Whitehead on the front row,…
Steady race by Wigram leadersThe 150-mile Lady Wigram Trophy at Wigram on Saturday 21 January 1956 was dominated by the two red Ferraris…
Englishmen take placings in major car racePeter Whitehead won the Lady Wigram Trophy for the second time on Saturday 21 January 1956 before about…
British motor racing stars' fine exhibitionsAn editorial-style review of the 1956 Lady Wigram Trophy, praising Peter Whitehead's repeat win over Tony…
Lady Wigram car race planningThe Motor Racing Club announced that the RNZAF had approved the next Lady Wigram Trophy for 26 January 1957…
Four English drivers in Lady Wigram Trophy raceThe Motor Racing Club announced the 1957 Lady Wigram Trophy on 26 January would have Peter Whitehead, Ken…