Pit Stops

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32145, 14 November 1969, Page 7

Pit Stops

The next Formula I, which will come into force at the beginning of 1972, is likely to be announced in about a month. The Commission Sportive Internationale has suggested a formula for 4-litre racing engines with a maximum of 12 cylinders, and 5-litre production V 8 engines with pushrod valve gear. It is proposed that the 5-litre engines should also be used for sports-car championship, the Can-Am series and the Indianapolis 500, but the agreement of American racing organisations is required for this. So far agreement has not been reached, but it may be by December. If it is not, then Formula I and the sports-car championship will be for 3-litre racing engines and for stock-block engines of a capacity to be decided later. It has already been decided that in 1971 the sports-car championship races will be open to cars of up to 5000 c.c. * * ¥

The British Leyland team for the London to Mexico rally next year will comprise three Triumph 2.5 P.l.s, which will be sponsored by the Football Association, the holders of the World Cup. The drivers will be P. Hopkirk, A. Cowan and B. Culcheth. The. latest 2.5 P.I. cars have a top speed of 110 m.p.h. and will accelerate from 0 to 50 m.p.h. in 7.5 sec.

¥ ¥ ¥ The. new monocoque Lola Formula 5000 car has

lapped Oulton Park in 1 min 28.4 sec, slightly below the circuit’s Formula I lap-record. The car was driven by M. Hailwood, who will probably drive it in the Tasman series. ¥ ¥ ¥

A new Formula 5000 car recently announced in Britain is the Leda, a monocoque car ’built by the Len Terry organisa- ¥ ¥ The new Formula FlOO for two-seater sports-racing cars has been approved by the R.A.C. in Britain. The cars must be powered by a 1300 c.c. production engine mounted front or rear, they must use standard production tyres, fuel injection is not permitted, and the engine’s valves must be pushrod-operated. A four r speed transmission and commercial fuel must be used. ¥ ¥ ¥

The fastest time for a five-lap race at the South Canterbury Car Club’s meeting at Timaru last month was set by G. McRae (Brabham) at 3min 50 sec. K. Smith (Lotus) was second fastest in 3min 53 sec, with G. Baker (Brabham) next on 3min 55sec. L. Leonard’s best time in the Begg-Chevrolet was 3min 58sec. Among the saloons, G. Richardt, in the Sprague Motors’ Anglia, took 4min 25sec, and B. Crosbie (Escort Twin Cam), 4min 28sec.

The last Volkswagen I; Owners’ Club rally was ; won by K. Sisson-Miss J. f Rowe with a loss of 423.9 points. B. Higham-G. An- H ders (458.3) were second, 1 followed by Miss R. Joines- 1 R. Fraser (718.5), 3, J. ; Winder-Mrs C. Winder ■! (735.5) 4, I. Sisson-Miss K. I Bourne (924.0) 5. Twenty- I two cars took part in the 1 45-mile event, which in- ; eluded nine check-points. ; ¥ ¥ ¥ ]; It was hoped the "fac- !; tory” entry of Chryslers in ;; the recent Benson and Hedges 500 saloon race at Pukekohe would encourage i; other factories to take ;; part, which could lead to ;! a more comprehensive re- i! presentation of the cars as- H sembled in New Zealand, I; the general sales manager ;• of Todd Motors, Ltd (Mr J. ;! T. Turner), said recently. < The Chrysler entry marked i; the first time factory cars I; had been entered in the ;; race, and the first time ;; cars with automatic trans- 1 ! mission and power steering !! had been entered. !; ¥ ¥ ¥ I; The first international ;l race in New Zealand this season will be the Bay Park (Tauranga) meeting i; on December 27. The first ;' Tasman formula race will be the Levin international ■ i on January 3, and the n other three will be the 1; New Zealand Grand Prix ]; at Pukekohe on January ; 10, the Lady Wigram Tro- : phy race on January 17 c and the Teretonga interna- I tional on January 25. The I Timaru Gold Star race ' meeting will be on Janu- '! ary 31. i;