English Drivers Have Won Four Times

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28800, 22 January 1959, Page 15

English Drivers Have Won Four Times

The Wigram race has been held nine times since it? inception in 1949 r--there was no' race in 1955, as the track was being resealed. In that time it Jias been won four times by English drivers, three times by drivers from Christchurch. and once each by Auckland and Wellington drivers. The circuit is of 2.116 miles, but the lap distance in 1954 was only 2.073 miles as the sharp bend at the end of the back straight was removed.

In 1954 the late Ken Wharton, who finished third after pushing the 111-fated B.R.M. over the last 400 yards and over the finishing line, did a record lap at 89.37 miles an hour. The fastest lap on

the regular circuit was completed last year by the late Archie Scott-Brown, who went round in 87.06 miles an hour in a ListerJaguar sports racer—the only time a sports car has won the race. The winners of the previous races were:— 1949 (105.8 miles): Morrie Proctor (Wellington), Brooklands. Biley, Ihr 35min 56sec (66.17 miles an hour). 1950 (105.8 miles): Hec Green (Christchurch), Wolseley Special, Ihr 30min 57sec (69.79 miles an hour). 1951 (101.57 miles): Les Moore (Christchurch), P 3 Alfa Romeo, Ihr 27mln 41sec (69.5 miles an hour). 1952 (50.78 miles): Les Moore (Christchurch), P 3 Alfa Romeo. 39min 4sec (76.3 miles an hour). 1953 <50.78 miles): Ron Roycroft (Auckland), P 3 Alfa Romero, 38min 40sec (78.8 miles an hour). 1954 (99.5 miles): Peter Whit?- - head (England), Ferrari, Ihr 9min 51.3 sec (85.46 miles an hour). 1956 (150.24 miles): Peter Whitehead (England), Ferrari, Ihr 48min o.3sec (83.46 miles an hour). 1957 (150.24 miles): Peter Whitehead (England), Ferrari, Ihr ■ SOmin Bsec (81.84 miles an hour). 1958 <150.24 miles): Archie ScottBrown (England), ListerJaguar, Ihr 47min 33.45ec (83.8 miles an hour).