Pit Stops

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29749, 16 February 1962, Page 12

Pit Stops

There are a few people living in close proximity to the Dunedin “round-the-houses” racing circuit who are not at all happy about the annual event. After the spate of accidents some of the people connected with the promotion of the Dunedin Festival meeting were pessimistic about the future. One official suggested that the time was ripe to construct a permanent circuit and his idea was that it should be laid down at the Wingatui racecourse. There were some who laughed off the idea, but others, knowing Dunedin, believed that it could be a possibility. They, no doubt, had in mind the motor racing circuits at Aintree and Warwick Farm.

The organiser of the Waimate 50 road race meeting, the South Canterbury Car Club, is to be congratulated on a wellorganised and well-run meeting. All events ran to time after a communications breakdown during the practice sessions had made it seem impossible. No less to be congratulated are the council and citizens of Waimate, who do a very great deal for motor sport in New Zealand by permitting the event to be held in their town.

The Japanese Honda concern, until now famous mainly for its racing motor-cycles, is reported to have produced a V-8 racing engine capable of operating at 13,000 r.p.m. It is believed well-known British and European drivers have been approached by the Honda concern with offers for ■ their services. Honda is also constructing a highspeed car track near its works.

In 1964 a new Formula Two will replace the present Formula Junior. The Formula Two cars will range from 1000 c.c. to 1300 c.c. and engines will be restricted to not more than four cylinders. The Formula Junior will hold the place occupied by the former Formula Two and there will be a Formula Three restricted to cars with series production engines without overhead camshafts with only limited modifications. The production induction must be retained, and special crankshafts and so on will be forbidden. Gearboxes must have only four speeds.

Seven days (and only an oil change and greasing) after winning the team prize in the Monte Carlo Rally, P. Harper’s Sunbeam Rapier competed in another French rally and won its class. The car was entered in the French 13-hour Snow and Ice Rally by the Rootes dealer in Grenoble, M. Balas. Although Balas had never driven a righthand drive car in an event before, the Rapier won the 1100-1600 c.c. class and came second in the general touring classification.

J. Brabham will drive a 1962 Lotus in the early part of this European racing season until his own car, to be powered by a Climax V-8, is ready. ★ The Lyttelton Borough Council has granted permission for the Canterbury Car Club to hole its annual hill climb on Saturday, February 24.

Enthusiasts were very disappointed that M. Stanton was unable to take part in the Waimate 50 last Saturday after he was forced to retire on the starting grid with a split gearbox casing. His bad luck seemed to have started at Dimedin, when he lost a rear wheel, and it continued in practice for the main event when, after putting up some good times, a drive Chain broke. The Minister of Transport (Mr McAlpine) had a good word to say for motor racing when he presented J. Palmer with the laurel wreath at Waimate on Saturday. It was because of the advances forced by the high speeds and demands of motor racing that many of those present would be able to drive home safely in their cars after leaving the meeting, he told the crowd.