Flockhart And Brabham Will Be Favourites

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28800, 22 January 1959, Page 16

Flockhart And Brabham Will Be Favourites

[Specially written by R. M. CARR, Motoring Correspondent of “The Press.”]

With competition from only two overseas drivers, New Zealanders may have their first opportunity of winning an international race in this country at Wigram on Saturday. The two visitors, Ron Flockhart (B.R.M.)_and Jack Brabham (CooperClimax) are top favourites, but it would not be in the least surprising if a New Zealander headed the field home.

It has been evident for some years now that given the cars, New Zealand drivers are 'quite capable of giving a good account of themselves' against worldranked competitors from overseas. This is borne cut by the brilliant achievement of the Auckland ■youngster, Bruce McLaren, who last season rocketed to the headlines of the British press and finished in second place for the world Formula II championship. Ross Jensen is another who has earned respect for New Zealand among the world’s motor racing public, and there must be several others who could make a similar impression if they had the opportunity. If the B.R.M. decides to have done with mechanical troubles for the day, then Ron Flockhart will be the biggest threat to the New Zealanders. But its unreliability is more famous than the car, and 150 miles is a long race for a car which is prone to mishaps. The car’s acceleration is unparalleled among grand prix models today, and on the Wigram back straight its speed should be unmatched.

The B.R.M. has been one of the most costly ventures motor racing has seen. At first, the car was a combined effort, with the British motor industry clubbing together to manufacture a 200 rniles-an-hour car. But after nearly £1,000,000 had been spent, the project was abandoned. The British millionaire, A. G. B. Owen, bought the existing cars and raced them in a modified condition. They won a lew, races against smaller cars, but' were finally scrapped. The Ifi-cylinder lay-out gave them terrific speed, -but they were most temperamental. ' • Jp The Car Flockhart will drive has a short-stroke four-cylinder engine, with two plugs to each cylinder. It had inherited’ riothing from the old car except unreliability, but last ’ year’s performances suggest #: big Improvement, , v.Engine Trouble Jack Brabham yent ominously cloee to catching Archie ScottBrown at Wigram. last year, but engine trouble' caused hjs retirement. Brabham’s car will not have the same advantage it had at Ardmore, but; reliability

of the Cooper is remarkably high. With Bruce McLaren, Brabham should be close to the front for the whole of this year’s race. Ross Jensen is likely to be most consistent with the El Salvador Maserati, and is due for a major win. Certainly his car is one of the finest entered in the race.

There has been much speculation recently as to why the Piccolo Maseratis of Temple Buell will not be seen at Wigram. These cars made a bad showing at Ardmore, and were beseiged with mechanical troubles—a spark plug in one was blown out of the head, and the brakes were quite inadequate for the work demanded of them. They were shipped back to Italy for repair and modification, and according to the Motor Racing Club “no amount of money would have got the cars to Wigram.” Schell and Shelby have excellent records in the sport and it is disappointing that their cars did not do them credit at Ardmore.

Extra Incentive

But while this year’s field lacks more overseas competitors, the race should not be the worse for it. Money won by overseas men immediately goes out of the country as a result. With the money going to a New Zealander, extra incentive is given, and hopes' are raised. x Drivers in JNew Zealand have sometimes expressed their feelings against overseas drivers being invited to the country, but have realised that for the sake of a good crowd and improvement in their own standard of driving, the present system is the best possible. Wigram, fortunately, is a cir-.-uit which has been remarkably free of major accidents. Racing first started there in 1949, and the first international event was held in 1954. Saturday’s race will be a far cry from the homebuilt “bombs” and specials of 1949.