Pit Stops

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30477, 26 June 1964, Page 9

Pit Stops

Although Jim Clark retired at Indianapolis, he earned 12,400 dollars in prize-money, several trophies and several wristwatches. Jack Brabham won 6000 dollars. A Maserati Vl2 formula one engine is now in existence, and it has been designed to be mounted transversely behind the driver. Up to 13,000 r.p.m. is envisaged, induction is by fuel injection, and a six-speed gearbox is used. No output figures have been released, and it is not known in what chassis the engine may be used. ¥ * ¥ Discussions are being held between the Chrysler Corporation and Ferrari,

but no details have been announced. If a link between the two firms did come about it could solve problems on both sides: Chrysler’s problem of combating Ford’s performance and competition sue-, cesses, and Ferrari’s prob- x lem of the growing cost of racing. ¥ ¥ ¥ About 130,000 spectators are expected to come to Brands Hatch for the British G.P. on July 11, and the 12,400 available grandstand seats have already been sold. Several hundred of the spectators are expected to arrive by helicopter “taxis.”

¥ ¥ ¥ Although little more has been heard of the two-en-gined Minis it was hoped would do so well in saloon car racing in Britain, the utility-vehicle-type twinengined Minis have attracted the interest of the United States Army, and are undergoing proving tests at one of its tank centres. ¥ ¥ ¥ During a 25-mile social rally by the Ashburton Car Club recently, it is reported, one entrant succeeded in going 125 miles off course. This must surely be a record of some sort. ¥ ¥ ¥ In the latest issue of the Association of New Zealand Car Club’s newsletter, the association thanks car club members for their co-operation in helping make May 1 an accidentfree day. It says as far as can be established no member of any member club was involved in an accident on that day. “We now further request that you continue with the policy of accident prevention by alert and sensible driving,” it says. ¥ ¥ ¥ Work is well ahead on the development of a twin o.h.c. one-litre B.M.C. engine for the formula two cars, and when it is ready the engine will be used in Cooper chassis. ¥ ¥ ¥ The habit of putting very powerful engines in light chassis continues in Britain, and the latest example is a 7-litre Galaxie

engine put in a Jaguar XK 120. As yet there has been no information as to how the creation goes, nor has any more been heard of “Doc” Merfleld’s Lotus Cortina with Jaguar rear suspension and a Ford V 8 engine. ¥ ¥ ¥ Additional supplementary regulations for the University Motor Club’s inter-club rally on July 11 have now been prepared and sent to club secretaries. ¥ ¥ ¥ After the Belgian G.P. Jim Clark leads the world championship for drivers with 21 points, Graham Hill is second with 14 points, and Richie Ginther is third with nine points.