NATIONAL CAR ROAD RACE

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25970, 25 November 1949, Page 8

NATIONAL CAR ROAD RACE

EVENT TO BE HELD AT WIGRAM

The 1949-50 season’s national road race championship, which has been allocated by the Association of New Zealand Car Clubs to the Canterbury Car Club, will be held on the bitumen landing strips at the Royal New Zealand Air Force Station, Wigram, on February 25, 1950. Advice that Wigram was available for the event was received at a meeting of the national road race committee last evening.

The event will be organised and run by the Canterbury Car Club, the Royal New Zealand Air Force Station, and the Papanui sub-branch of the Returned Services’ Association. The proceeds will go to those bodies and the Air Force Service -Institute Fund.

“Inquiries from all over New Zealand have been coming in from prospective entrants,” said the chairman (Mr H. G. Bandy). Three very worthy drivers from Nelson alone will probably start, giving some indication of the size of the entry. These three cars are all built in Nelson, which speaks for the ability and sportsmanship of New Zealand drivers, who have not motor works’ resources behind them. Australians have indicated their interest. The prize money this year would be £650, plus challenge trophies, Mr Bandy said. The distance would again be fractionally over 100 miles. With car modifications and better tuning, lap speeds were expected to rise by at least 10 miles an hour. The faster cars were timed at speeds of about 110 miles an hour on the back straight last year.

It is expected this year’s race will provide experience for New Zealand drivers for the Canterbury Centennial race in February, 1951, when overseas drivers are expected to race at Christchurch. This season’s event conflicts with the Australian Grand Prix, to be run late in January, but some Australians may enter this season to gain knowledge of New Zealand conditions. The organisers intend doing everything possible to cater for the public and have the experience gained in handling the 25,000 to 30.000 spectators last year to help them.