PLACINGS CHANGE

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31211, 8 November 1966, Page 18

PLACINGS CHANGE

Alpine Car Rally

Provisional results of the four-day Alpine car rally held at Labour week-end have been announced by the organisers, the Rallies and Trials Enthusiasts’ Club. The last placings announced were those about half-way through the event’s final day, and the point losses in the final halfday have altered the positions considerably. The crew lying first after three days—C. V. Neate and G. Alexander, of Christchurch (Prince)—has now dropped to sixth, and first place has been taken by the Christchurch crew which was formerly second: T. D. Craig and N. Ryde (M.GJt.). Second place is now held by the Auckland crew of K. Lay and A. Cheak (Cortina GT), third by R. Gardner and I. Munt (Christchurch, Anglia), fourth by D. Badham and D. Reed (Auckland, Triumph) and fifth by D. Benefield and B. Robson (Auckland, Zephyr). The winning team in the provisional results is Benefield, Lay. and J. Rolfe-P. Watson (Humber), of Auckland. The provisional results of the rally are expected to be declared final at a ball on November 19. There are many cash prizes and trophies, and the winner will be awarded £125 and “The Press” Alpine challenge trophy and tankard. Seventy-five cars took part in the rally, which covered 1600 miles and was one of the most ambitious events of its type held in the South Island. The event included special tests at two racing circuits, a hill climb, and driving tests, and the results of these, as well as allowances for claims and protests, have also affected the third-day results.