CLOSE RACING AT RUAPUNA PARK

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30443, 18 May 1964, Page 14

CLOSE RACING AT RUAPUNA PARK

A crowd estimated at about 5000 saw a day of close racing at the Canterbury Car Club’s Ruapuna Park racing circuit at Templeton yesterday. It was the last meeting of the season, and 15 races wete run. There were two untoward incidents: in both cases the cars rolled, but the drivers were uninjured. In a handicap event for saloons W. Miller's Fiat Abarth rolled at the hairpin, but the car suffered only minor damage and was later driven to the pits. During a sports car event later in the day P. Read’s TR3 rolled at Rothmans curve, and was extensively damaged. The drivers were wearing seat belts.

The first event, a scratch race for sports cars, was notable for B. Porter’s driving. He led from start to finish in the Lotus 15. setting a lap record of 50sec and winning by nearly a lap from P. Leversedge (Ford V 8 Spl.). More than once during the day Porter nearly lost the car coming out of Rothmans curve, but each time he brought it back in line most skilfully. The big saloons competed in the fifth event, and, as usual, pleased the crowd. R. Tait (Chevrolet Corvette) led at first, and was continually challenged by I. Dow's Jaguar 3.5. The cars fought it out lap after lap, but finally Dow nipped into the lead on the last lap. Meanwhile the Chevrolet coupes of R. Silvester. P. Gillum, and D. Algie were fighting a furious battle further down the field. Silvester just managing to stay in front to take third place

The next event was a sports car handicap, and again Porter took the flag after an excellent race. B. Hawes (Morgan) led for the first lap then G. Smith (Morgan) took over. Meanwhile Porter was slashing through the field, and he soon went into the lead

In the ninth event, for saloon cars, Miller rolled the Fiat Abarth, but without injury, and F. Turner (Morris Cooper), who had won the previous race, took the flag again. P. Kirk (Morris Minor) lost his first place to Turner a lap from the end. Won By Feet Only Then the big saloons were out again, and there was another fast event with minor battles right throughout the field. Dow won in the Jaguar, and J. A. Milligan drove his Hillman excellently to take second place, only feet behind.

During a special run Dow later did a flying lap in 58 seconds, very fast for a saloon and I.2sec faster . than the fastest saloon time put up at the circuit by Mullins the previous week-end, when a timed speed event was held. Results were:

Sports-racing, scratch (5 laps): B. Porter (Lotus) 1: P. Leversedge (V 8 Spl.) 2: W. Darrell (ACE III) 3. Time, 4;29.

Sports»racing, . scratch: F. Shuter (Ford Spl.) 1: K. Jackson (Daimler SP2SO) 2; P. Read (TR3) 3. Time, 5:06.

Saloons, scratch: J. Wallace (A4O) 1: B. Smith (Morris Minor) 2: D. Read (Ford V 8) 3. Time, 5:25.04.

Saloons, scratch: J. Mullins (Mini Cooper S) 1; A. F. Moffat (Lotus Cortina) 2: J. Milligan (Hillman) 3. Time, 5:05.04.

Saloons, scratch: I. Dow (Jaguar 3.8) 1; R. Tait (Chevrolet Corvette) 2; R. Silvester (Chevrolet coupe) 3. Time, 5:10.

Saloons, scratch: R. J. Findlater (.Anglia) lr R. Barrar

(VW) 2; A. Hyde (A4O) 3. Time, 5:33.03 . „ Sports-racing handicap: JU Porter ( Lotus) 1: G. Smith (Morgan) 2; B. Hawes (Morgan) 3. Time. 5-°« O7 -. _ Sports racing handicap. F. Shuter sen. (Ford V 8 _pl.) I. K. Jackson (Daimler SP2SO) G. Alexander (MG TF) 3. Time. 5:41.05. Saloon handicap: F. Turner (Morris Cooper) 1: E. Hens *J** (Volkswagen) 2: H. Zetas (Mini Cooper) 3. Time. 6:00.6. Saloon handicap: F. Turner (Morris ’ Cooper) 1: P- R’rk (Morris Minor) 2: D. (Morris Minor) 3. Time. 6.35.02. Saloon handicap: I. Dow (Jaguar 3.8) 1: J. Milligan (Hillman) 2; E. Henshaw (Volkswagen) 3. Time, 5:31. _ Sports racing handicap: it. McElrae (Bugatti Ford) 1: L. Hore (Mistral) 2: G. Alexander (MG TF) 3. Time, S M.OS Saloon handicap: A. F. Moffatt (Lotus Cortina) 1: J. Mullins (Mini Cooper S) 2: H. Zelas (Mini Cooper) 3. Time. 5:57. Saloon handicap: R- C« rr (Triumph Herald) 1: G. Stanton (Austin Mini) 2: A. Hyde (Austin A4O) 3. Time, 6:34.00. Saloon handicap: R. ® a s rar (Volkswagen) 1: P. Gillum (Chevrolet Coupe) 2: D. *lBl* (Chevrolet coupe) 3. Time, 5:58.00. First motor-cycle race: R. Tolhurst (650 8.5. A.) 1: D. S. Bowie (650 Triumph) 2; .P-Langdale-Hunt (350 A.J.S.) 3. Second motor-cycle race: A. Coles (350 A.J.S.) 1; D. S. Bowie (650 Triumph) 2: P. Langdale-Hunt (350 A.J.S.) 3. Third motor-cycle race: R Clark (350 A.J.S.) 1: B MaeGibbon (350 A.J.S.) 2; 1. McCleary (500 Norton) 3. Fourth motor-cycle race: J. Hubbard (350 A.J.S.) 1; V. Rush (250 Triumph) 2: R. Clark (3;>o A.J.S.) 3.