N.Z. TO HAVE TEAM IN T.T.

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31656, 17 April 1968, Page 13

N.Z. TO HAVE TEAM IN T.T.

New Zealand will be represented by an official team in the Isle of Man T.T. races this year, although it is not vet certain who the riders will be.

This was reported by the president of the New Zealand Auto Cycle Union (Mr A. M. Laurenson, of Timaru) yesterday.

He was going over on his own account but we have not heard whether he left, gave up the idea, or would consider going at this late date,” Mr Laurenson said If Haldane is not available, then it seems likely that Veitch, Lacey and Turner will comprise the three-man New Zealand team. Turner, a member of last season’s New Zealand team, suffered minor injuries in a crash during the T.T. meeting.

"We had an approach from the Auto Cycle Union in London this week asking whether New Zealand would consider entering an official team in the Isle of Man T.T..” Mr Laurenson said. Two New Zealand riders. G Lacey and 1. Veitch, had arrived in England, and with K. Turner, another New Zea lander who had been in Europe since last season, had been seeking entries for the T.T. The A.C.U. (London) was keen to have a New Zealand team compete and was prepared to facilitate F.I.M. licences, Mr Laurenson said. “It now looks as if we will be certain to have a team in the Isle of Man,” he said. The New Zealand Auto Cycle Union originally decided not to enter a team in this year’s T.T. because of lack of nominations. The former New Zealand 500 c.c. road racing champion, R. Haldane (Auckland), was the only one received, and three are required for an official team. Before the official team can be named, the New Zealand A.C.U. has decided to check with Haldane for he must be given first chance of a place in any national team. “We are not aware of his movements at this moment.