Pit Stops

Press, Volume C, Issue 29535, 9 June 1961, Page 11

Pit Stops

Old roads and grass tracks between Christchurch and Methven were well explored last weekend in a rally held by the Rallies and Trials Enthusiasts’ Club for the lawford Cup. In many respects this was a testing event and many of the province's leading drivers found themselves hard put to finish with a respectable score sheet. Competitors came from as far away as Greymoutb Results were:tomline). 1520 points lost. C. G. Finney (Ford Gusli T. D. Craig (Morris Mini-Minor), 2484, 2; A. Breen (Renault Dauphine). 4439. 3; W. E. Cheesman (Volkswagen), 6460, 4; H. S. Howat (Austin A 99), 6545. 5; V. Gray (Ford Consul), 6761, 6.

Because of bad weather, a recent 80-mile rally held by the Volkswagen Owners’ Club was turned from a test Of navigation into a rugged reliability trial, with deep water crossings and sticky mud sections. Of 15 entries 14 completed the course. Results were:— C. Thompson (1208 points lost) 1, T. Knight (1229 ) 2, N. Harris (1308) 3, J. B. Smythe (1496 ) 4, F. W. Van Bracken (2210) 5 t Mrs B. Davis (2736) 6. ♦ » • After his win in the recent T. V. Myers trial, Neville Ryde completed a double when he drove his Triumph TR3 sports to a good win in the Canterbury Car Club's recent North Canterbury trial.

! The suitability of sports cars to rallies and trials competition has often been keenly debated, but results speak for themselves. Although space is at a minimum in the sports car, it has a rugged chassis, and can, in general, stand up to more rigorous treatment than a saloon. Its brisk acceleration and excellent roadholding mean it can maintain averages on good roads more easily. T. D. Craig is another local competitor who had consistent success at the wheel of a sports car. Results of the North Canterbury trial were:— : N. G. Ryde (TR3), 32 ! points lost, 1; M. A. White;Johnson (Citroen ID 19), 85. 2; A. L. Milligan ! (Standard Vanguard), 128, ;3; G. Browne (Jaguar 'Mk. V), 180, 4; W. D. • Nicholl (Ford CustomUine), 184, 5; P. Lester ’ (Holden), 199, 6.