Motor-Racing EVENLY-MATCHED ENTRIES FOR WIGRAM ON SATURDAY

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28490, 21 January 1958, Page 16

Motor-Racing EVENLY-MATCHED ENTRIES FOR WIGRAM ON SATURDAY

Although five overseas drivers are competing in very fast factory racers the fourth international Lady Wigram trophy race to be held on Saturday has attracted drivers in cars far more evenly matched than in previous years. There is little possibility of the procession which has developed in the last three races at Wigram occurring once more. Twenty-eight entries have been received for the main 150-mile race, and more than 10 of these are in the running for major platings. The number of New Zealand drivers in factory-built rars is one of the most encouraging features of this year’s race, for driving skill will play its rightful large part in deciding the winner. Although the Englishman, Peter Whitehead, gave a grand display when he won the last three races at Wigram, too much of the public’s interest in the sport of motor racing was Inst through the lack of cars fast enough to catch him. This year, Whitehead will not defend his title, but his record of three consecutive wins is likely to stand for many years.

Brabham’s Chances

The Australian, J. Brabham, second to Whitehead at Wigram last year, will be the hardest man in the overseas contingent for New Zealanders to pass on the circuit this year. On a track eminently suited to the Formula

I Cooper, and more important still, with a style of driving which is hard to find fault with, Brabham is a potential winner. With a fine win in the New Zealand Grand Prix two weeks ago, th 6 odds are increased in his favour, and it is really only engine failure, or an outstanding driving display by one of the other competitors, which will beat him. Four other overseas drivers are competing this year—the famous Archie Scott-Brown (ListerJaguar)—a dashing Englishman whose exploits are known in all parts of the world; Stuart LewisEvans (Connaught); R. Gibson, of England (Cooper F. 1.); and an Australian, Arnold Glass (Ferrari Super Squalo). ScottBrown’s sports-racing car will be down in speed on some of the others, but his forceful driving is always a treat to watch. Of • the New Zealand drivers, major hopes will rest with R. J. Roycroft (Ferrari) and R. Jensen, driving Stirling Moss’s 250 F Maserati in which Moss won at Ardmore in 1955. Roycroft could well have gained a major placing at Wigram last year had he not been overcome with exhaustion half-way through the gruelling race. Again this year, his car has the speed and he has the ability—all that remains is a litle luck. Jensen has not had much success at Wigram before, and his Maserati will not be ideally suited to the circuit with its reverse cambers and bumps. Those who saw Horace Gould’s Maserati grounding on “the bump” at the hangars last year will realise Jensen’s difficulty—one that is shared by Gavin Quirk, who will also drive a 250 F Maserati. The drainage ditch which causes all the trouble has to be crossed at 100 miles an hour at right angles, and many of the faster cars leave the ground if the spot is treated with disrespect. The Motor Racing Club this year has done its best to alleviate the jolt which imposes terrific strains on a car at high speed, but it will still be a danger. Other N.Z. Drivers Two other New Zealand drivers well worth watching are Mervyn Neil, the young Auckland driver who has had a meteoric rise to fame over the last few months, and Bruce McLaren, the 20-year-old who will drive a works Cooper brought to New Zealand by Brabham. McLaren has been selected to go to England and receive instruction at the Cooper training school this year. F. E. Sprague (4CLT Maserati). F. Shuter (BCLT Maserati), and J. Buza (Connaught) could easily work their way into major money, with Shuter’s powerful 8-cylinder car holding a trump card in that it is the fastest car entered (it has been timed at 203 miles an hour in Europe). Sports Cars

In the sports car race, a very big entry has been received. One of the most interesting cars is E. A. Kennard’s Healey-Corvette which has already proved itself in sprint events. A powerful American Corvette (Chevrolet) racing engine is hidden under the innocent-looking bonnet. K Harris, of Auckland, will drive a very potent Monza Ferrari in this race as well as the trophy race. Eighteen cars will meet in the saloon car race—an event which is always one of the most popular Two new 3.4 Jaguar saloons, driven by R. J. N. Archibald and G. T. Quirk should provide a fine tussle, and drivers such as H. J Heasley (Consul) will provide plenty of thrills on the corners. D. Campbell, one of Canterbury’s most popular drivers, has entered a supercharged Volkswagen. Two motor-cycle races are also included in the programme. N. McCutcheon, who has recently

returned from Europe; R. Newbrook, winner at Cust last year; and A. G. “Mick” Holland, a fine speedway and grass track exponent, are competing. Entries in the main race are:— J. Brabham, Cooper F.I. (Australia), A. Scott-Brown, Lister-Jaguar (England), R. Gibson, Cooper F.I. (England), A. Glass. Ferrari Super Squalo (Australia), R. Watson, Lycoming Special (Auckland), E. A. Kennard, Healey Corvette (Christchurch), G. H. Pierce, AustinHealey (Taumarunui), F. D. Cantwell, Tojeiro-Jaguar (Christchurch) G T. Quirk, 250 F Maserati (Te Awamutu), R. J. Blackburn, Mistral (Christchurch), I. E. O. McKellar, Cooper-Climax (Ashburton), F. Shuter, BCLT, Maser ati (Christchurch), A. T. Freeman, Lago Talbot (Wellington), G. C. Mardon, R.A. Vanguard (Christchurch), W. Darrell, A.C.E.111 (Christchurch), R. W. A. Frost, Cooper-Climax (Levin), B. A. Wood, Staride (Dunedin), R. J. Roycroft, 4i-litre Ferrari (Glen Murray), J. Buza, Connaught (Auckland), P. M. Hoare, Ferrari (Christchurch), F. E. Sprague, 4CLT Maserati (Timaru), R. McCutcheon, Normae Special (Norsewood), B. McLaren, Cooper-Climax (Auckland), M. C. Mayo, Buckler (Auckland), M. Neil, Cooper-Climax (Auckland), R. Jensen, Maserati (Auckland), J. Marsell, Alfa Romeo (Auckland), K. Harris, Monza Ferrari (Auckland).