Mustang Entry Not Accepted

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30899, 4 November 1965, Page 19

Mustang Entry Not Accepted

(New Zealand Press Association) HAMILTON. The “battle of the giants” is postponed. For months, motor racing enthusiasts have been waiting for the expected clash between the Hamilton racing driver, Ivan Segedin, in his Ford Mustang, and other racing saloon cars in this country.

The £BOOO car, prepared and entered by Fleetwood Motors, of Hamilton, was brought to New Zealand especially for racing—and it is not being allowed to start on Saturday. The sponsored Northern Sports Car Club race meeting at Pukekohe on Saturday is the first big meeting of the 1965-66 season and the clash was expected in the allcomers race. In spite of pleas from companies with money involved in the Mustang, and Fleetwood Motors, the car club has refused entry to the car. Made Late Entry According to the regulations, late entries may, but do not have to be, accepted for the meeting. The Mustang was a late entry and has been refused permission to start. The president of the club.

Mr I. P. Runnerstrum, said in Auckland yesterday that because of the circumstances (a £3 late entry fee was not enclosed with the Mustang entry form) the application had’ been declined.

“It is a bitter disappointment to a lot of motor racing enthusiasts, as well as to us," said Mr Bruce Mundy, managing director of Fleetwoods. “They have stopped the big clash between the allcomers saloons over a minor technicality, and the club has made a stand—only to spite itself,” he said.