FASTEST CARS YET

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30339, 15 January 1964, Page 10

FASTEST CARS YET

THIS year at Wigram spectators will see a lineup of the fastest cars yet to compete in a Lady Wigram Trophy Race meeting. Motor racing experts are saying that Bruce McLaren’s new “low-line” extra-light Coper constructed for the Tasman series of motor races are the forerunner of the 1964 Formula One Cooper-Climax. Out-paced last year by Lotus Climax and to a lesser extent, by Ferrari —1963 was not the best on record for the Cooper Car Company. However, the new Tasman cars herald a new kind of thinking at Coopers. The construction of the car is semimonocoque (the same principle used on the world championship-winning Lotus 25 and most British touring cars of small and medium size), and to save weight, oil and waiter are carried in the chassis tubes. Special emphasis has also been paid. to the suspension, and special measures have been taken to ensure that the nose of the car does not dip excessively under braking. McLaren and Mayer will be the drivers. Hie McLaren team’s biggest threat will come from the Repco-Brabham-Climax car of Dennis Hulme and Jack Brabham. These cars have been specially prepared and constructed for the Tasman series of International races. Another who must be considered is Tasmanian John Youl, who a few weeks ago won the Hordern Trophy at Warwick Farm. (The Hordern Trophy is recognised as the

most important race in Australia outside tire Grand Prix). His 2.5 litre Cooper was very fast and he averaged 81 m.p.h. for the 75mile long race. Youl’s car has twin ignition and is one of the first cars to be successfully equipped with this new development. The New Zealanders cannot be discounted. Palmer is now driving the ex-Angus Hyslop 2.5 litre Cooper Climax. This car had undergone extensive modifications since it was last raced, and is now very quick. The wider angle wishbones as used on the new “works” Coopers are fitted to Palmers car, along with new and ligfater magnesium wheels. These cars should make the car one of the fastest in New Zealand and should be on a par with that of John Youl’s. Wellington’s Tony Shelly, driving his 2.5 litre Lotus Climax is also a contender for top honours. Although minor teething troubles plagued the car throughout last season it is now going very well. Andrew Buchanan from Masterton will drive his 1963 Formula Junior Brabham. This little car is powered by the Lotus-deigned Ford overhead camshaft engine. The Formula Junior version of the Brabham has swept everything before it in this year’s British and European Formula Junior racing. Even the Formula One Brabhams are the most serious threat to the all-conquering Lotus Climax, many consider. Jimmy Boyd, from Auck-

land, will be driving a most interesting car. This is the Formula Junior Valour, New Zealand’s first production racing car. It is powered by a Cosworth-Ford motor and promises to be a very interesting entry. David Young, from Timaru, will again be driving his Ford-powered Cooper F.J. Young will be remembered for his meritorious performances in last year’s events in this car, and also in past seasons in a very large, fast C type Jaguar. Chris Amon’s Lola is virtually a Formula One machine fitted with a Coventry Climax 2.5 litre engine. The car should be very fast on the open Wigram circuit. Rex Flowers will be remembered for his driving of the very pretty F.J. car, the Gemini. This little car was built up by Flowers from a kitset form and is a credit to him. However, this year Flowers is driving the exJimmy Palmer Lotus 22. He has already performed very well in this car at Renwick and Levin and is a very polished driver. The car is very fast, and should be a contender for top honours.

Roly Levis from Putaruru has now acquired a new Lotus 22 F.J. with a 1650 c.c. Ford engine. Although he has not been well up in the results so far he is still sorting out various troubles in the new car. Last season he drove an old Cooper F.J. with a 1500 c.c. Ford motor and put up some very fine performances.