Two Records Broken At Ruapuna

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31317, 13 March 1967, Page 15

Two Records Broken At Ruapuna

Two lap records —an over-all record for the circuit, and a new record for saloon cars—were set during the Canterbury Car Club’s meeting at the Ruapuna Park racing circuit yesterday.

The over-all lap record of 46 seconds for the one-mile circuit was set by the Christchurch driver, G. Mardon (Stanton Corvette), during a special record attempt made after he had won the main race of the day.

Mardon covered a lap from a standing start in 53.08 seconds, reaching 123.5 m.p.h. on the main straight. He recorded 46 seconds, and a top speed of 132.7 m.p.h„ during the second of his two flying laps. Later in the day, in another special record attempt, the Christchurch driver, C. Collins, took his Farina-Ford around in 49.85 seconds to set a new saloon car lap record. His standing-start lap was an outstanding 53.5 seconds'. The previous saloon record of 50.5 seconds was held by another Christchurch driver, R. Rutherford. Mardon won the main race, for New Zealand-built sports cars and single-seaters, by more than a lap after an excellent display of cool driving. Although he was never seriously challenged, he recorded a lap near the 46 second mark. MAIN RACE At the start Mardon streaked into the lead, with B. Hawes (Begg Chevrolet) in pursuit, but the Begg soon wilted and eventually finished near the tail of the field after running roughly all the way.

J. Oakley and R. J. Stewart (Robat Mantis) started their battle on the third lap, Oakley leading until the 10th when he spun nls U2 off at Rothmans. Further back in the field L. Tosh (Zephyr Special) and N. Smith (Stuart Ford) enlivened the race with a fine duel that lasted nearly all the race, Tosh finally finishing fourth with Smith next.

P. Leversedge (Ford Special) also drove a very creditable race, and finished Sth behind the R.A. Special of H. Green. Three of the 15 starters retired.

There were the usual supporting scratch and handicap races for saloons, sports cars and single-seaters. In the saloon category the driver of the day was undoubtedly Collins in the Farina-Ford. He put up some excellent and polished performances. R. Silvester was impressive in the Chevrolet Corvette coupe. Fields in the minor events were generally well-filled, which led to some interesting tussles. K. Rout went well in his A3O during the day, and N. Doyle (Anglia Corvette) had some “moments’* but also went well. M. Stuart (Chevrolet coupe) drove forcefully during the day and was a favourite with the crowd because of his limit cornering. R. Payne (Lotus) was a good performer in the singleseaters, and N. Smith in the Stuart Ford put up some very good performances. One of the best of the supporting races was a saloon handicap late in the afternood. Doyle led for three laps but was taken by the fast Dauphine Corvette of J. Miller almost on the line. Collins—who in one other race had pulled up no less than 10 places in one lap—was handicapped too heavily to finish higher than third in spite of a fine drive. RESULTS Results were:— Saloons.—Scratch: K. Rout

(Austin A3O) 1, P. Pascoe (Mini Cooper) 2, G. Whelan (Austin A3O) 3. Saloon, scratch: C. Collins (Farina Ford) 1. N. Doyle (Anglia Corvette) 2, R. Silvester (Chevrolet Corvette coupe) 3. Sports-racing, scratch: R. Payne (Lotus) 1, A. Shaw (Lotus) 2, G. Alexander (Cooper Ford) 3. Sports-racing, scratch: G. Mardon (Stanton Corvette) 1, C. Bunce (Begg 1600) 2, R. Stewart .(Robat Mantis) 3. Saloon handicap: B. Baylds (Angliia) 1. G. Dench (Mini) 2, B. Lucas (Mini Cooper) 3. Saloons: C. Co&Mns 1, N. Doyle 2, R. Hore (Anglda) 3. Racing: N. Smith (Stuart Ford) 1, L. Tosh (Zephyr special) 2, R. McElrea (Morgan) 3. Racing: R. Payne (Lotus) 1, G. Mardon 2, J. Oakfley (U2) 3. Saloons: A. Hyde (Austin VauxhaM) 1, D. Tattle (Morris Minor) 2, K. Carson (Anglia) 3. Saloons: R. Silvester (Chevrolet Corvette coupe) 1, C. Coidins 2, B. Eatwelil (Morris Ford) 3. Racing: B. Scott (Ford special) 1, L. Tosh 2, D. Silcock (Jaguar XK--120) 3. Saloons: B. Lucas 1, G. Dench 2, M. Ussher (Morris 1000) 3.

Saloons: J. Milder (Renault Dauphine Corvette) 1, N. Doyle (Anglia Corvette) 2, R. Silvester 3. Racing: G. Mardon 1, R. Stewart (Robat Mantis) 2, R. Payne 3. Saloons: G. Dench 1, G. Kennard (AngUa) 2, B. McLaren (Anglda) 3. Feature race, New Zealandbuilt sports cars and singleseaters, for P.D.L. Trophies (15 laps).—Single-seaters: N. Stuart (Stuart Jaguar) 1, L. Tosh (Zephyr special) 2, N. Smith (Stuart Ford) 3, A. Smith (120 EN Special) 4. Sports cars: G. Mardon (Stanton Corvette) 1, and over-all winner, R. Stewart (Robat Mantis) 2, and second over-all, M. Cooke (U2) 3, B. Hawes (Begg Chevrolet) 4. Time, 12:19.