Pit Stops

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32073, 22 August 1969, Page 9

Pit Stops

The Porsche factory is likely to leave sports-car racing next year and concentrate on Formula I racing, it is reported from Germany. If this occurs, it is expected other teams Will run Porsche entries in long-distance sports-car rices. « The Finnish driver, Timo Makinen, has signed to drive in rallies for the Lancia works team, and Mis navigator, p. Easter, has gone with him. Rauno Aaltonen, who Was driving fbr Lancia for a time, has left and was to drive one 6f the Mercedes 300 SELs at Spa. * * * There is every indication that Mercedes will return to Formula I racing; in the 19705, it has been reported in Britain. Honda will return to grands prix next year, and there is a possibility that at least one other Japanese manufacturer will enter European racing, probably in the sports-car

Studies made by British Leyland have shown that if the corporation were to enter grand prix racing with a competitive car it would require to make a minimum investment of s6m, British correspondents report.

¥ * * A professional racing driver, Gary Gabelich, has been chosen to drive the rocket-propelled “Blue Flame” land speed record car at the Bonneville Salt Flats next month. It is hoped the car., will reach about 700 m.p.h. In 1959 Gabelich drove a jet car at 357 m.p.h. at Bonneville, and he has raced cars, dragsters and power-boats.

¥ ¥ ¥ Officers of the Canterbury branch of the Rallies and Trials Enthusiasts’ Club elected recently were: Chairman, M. Cumagh; secretary, R. Wilton; treasurer, P. Smith; club , captain, W. Jeffs; committee, D. Candy, P. Chisholm, D. McCahon, G. Norquay, and L. Swanston. ¥ ¥ ¥ Children from the School for the Deaf at Sumner, were taken on their annual rally by members of the Rallies and Trials Enthusiasts' Club recently. The rally route led from Sumner along the Summit Road to T ai Tapu, where refreshments were distributed,. to the children. The second section led back to the school through Halswell, and Heathcote. The event was organised by K. Stevens, P. Smith and Miss Rubena Joines. ¥ ¥ ¥

The British driver, V. Elford, who suffered a broken arm when his Me Laren crashed in the German Grand Prix, hopes to be driving again by the end of the season. Elford hit the wreckage of M. Andretti’s Lotus, which crashed at speed after bottoming because of the weight of the fuel load.

* ♦ * The Belgian Grand Prix at Spa is likely to be held again next year. The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association says sufficient improvements have now been made to the circuit. These included the erection of crash barriers at some points, end the resurfacing of much of the circuit to stop puddles forming during rain ¥ ¥ ¥

There are reports In Europe that Chrysler, which bolds a major interest in Sitnca. may soon have links with the Matra concern. ¥ ¥ ¥

Officers of the M.G. Car Club elected recently were:—president, A. F, Carroll; secretary, G. Robinson; treasurer. T. D. Craig; club captain, R. W. M. Archibald: committee, P J. Fiewellen, F. R. Hooper. M, J. Paton and J. C. Mobbs. ¥ ¥ ¥

A Porsche 917 driven by J. Siffert and K. Ahrens recently won the Austrian Grand Prix, and assured Porsche of victorv in this year’s eportecar manufacturers' championship. ¥ ¥ ¥

T. Taylor in a Team Surtees Chevrolet won the last Formula 5000 race held at Zandvoort, the Netherlands. It was Taylor’s second successive Formula 5000 victory.