Pit Stops

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32049, 25 July 1969, Page 11

Pit Stops

The recent Volkswagen Owners’ Club rally was won by B. Higham with a loss of 35.6 points, and E ; Holstein was second with a loss of 115.5. K. Sisson (237.2) was third, N. Curtis (270.6) fourth, and G. Armstrong (377.7) fifth. There were six checks in the 50 miles, and 18 cars competed. * * *

D. Hobbs, driving .a Team Surtees TS-Chevro-let, won the Dublin Formula 5000 Grand Prix, the sixth round of the British Formula 5000 ehampionship. The event was run in two heats. M. Hailwood (Lola Chevrolet) was second, and A. Rollinson (Brabham 1.6 BT30) was third.

A Porsche 908 driven by J. Siffert and B. Redman won the six-hour race at Watkins Glen recently and the V. Elford-R, Attwood Porsche 908 was second, with a similar car driven by R. Linz and J. Buzzetta third. * * *

The Jaguar Owners’ Club’s Hermitage rally last week-end was won by P. G. Gregory (Jaguar 3.4) with a loss of 23.4 points, W. F. Chamberlain (Jaguar Mk VII) was second with a loss of 55.4, and A. J. Petre (Jaguar 3.8) was third with a loss of 59.2. There were 20 competitors and 17 checks. * * *

The sports editor of the British magazine, “Motor” (Mr P. Turner), has said that the Commission Sportive’s suggestions for a Grand Prix formula for racing engines of up to 4litres, with no more than 12 cylinders, and for pro-duction-based engines of up to 5-lltres, could threaten Formula 1 racing in the next two years if they seem likely to be adopted. The present 3litre formula runs out in 1971, but will be continued if the proposed 4 and 5litre formula Is not also accepted for Can-Am, sportscar and Indianapolis racing. If the new formula seems likely to be adopted, manufacturers will probably abandon plans to go ahead with new cars, Turner says. “We could possibly lose two works teams from Grand Prix racing at the end of this season, and uncertainty over the next generation of Formula I cars may stop other teams from entering—or returning—to the field.” The situation was already critical, and any further reduction in numbers on the starting grid could mean the abandonment of the present Formula I, as happened in 1952, Turner says.