RUAPUNA PARK Top-Class Racing Likely

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32215, 6 February 1970, Page 11

RUAPUNA PARK Top-Class Racing Likely

All the top saloon car drivers in New Zealand have entered for the Ruapuna race meeting on Sunday. Record entries have been received and, from their calibre and number, the meeting promises to be the best run at the circuit by the Canterbury Car Club. The major event will be the 20-lap Mercury saloon series race, which will carry $lOOO in prize money and will count towards the championship, held over a series of seven races. It will

be contested by the fastest 20 cars selected from two 20-car heats. As well as the big saloon race, however, there will be a 15-lap feature race for the 20 fastest single seaters. This will carry prize money of $555. Most other events also carry prize money, and have attracted excellent entries. SALOON EVENTS But most of the excitement is likely to centre on the saloon events. Because of the nature of the points system for the Mercury series, placings become even more important as the series progresses: although first place in an event was worth five points in the first race of the series, it will be worth 20 points on Sunday and 35 points in the last race of the series in May. Because of this sliding scale every point, is vital, and a driver who is well placed at this stage could easily drop right back. For this reason, the pressure is on the drivers throughout the series, and there is no chance of any driver having an unassailable lead. At this point, after three races, the series is led by R. Coppins (Chevrolet Camaro) with 29 points, and C. Collins (Falcon) and J. Riley (Mustang) are second equal with 15 points. I. W. Dawson (Ford Mustang) and B. Crosbie (Escort Twin Cam) are equal third with 11 points, P. Fahey (Escort FVA) is next with five points, G. Thompson (Holden Monaro) has three points, and L. Neilson (Mini 1293 S) has two points. All these drivers have entered for Sunday. But Sunday’s race could alter this points position radically, and that is why the event is likely to be fiercely contested. OTHER ENTRIES As well as those in the points table, the entry list of 40 cars includes such drivers as G. Hargreaves (Fowog), M. Lines (Mini Cooper), K. Rout (Lotus Anglia), G. Sprague (Escort TC), J. Harvey (Mini Cooper). T. Slako (Mini Cooper), P. Kocis (Anglia 1650), S. Wiseman (E-type Jaguar), J. Kennedy (Escort TC), W. Hensley (Escort TC), B. McLaren (Escort), A. Dickie (Anglia Corvette), R. McPhail (Lotus Farina), J. Nazer (Escort), R. Silvester (Chevrolet coupe), M. Cockburn (Morris Cooper S) and B. Lucas (Mini Cooper S). Of the total main-race saloon entry, nine drivers are from the North Island, and 18 more are from outside Christchurch. The single-seater event has also drawn good entries,

including G. Baker (Brabham), W. Murdoch (Brabham), P. De Lore (Lotus), W. Collins (Brabham), B. Pellow (Brabham), L. Leonard (Begg F 5000), C. Bensemann (Lotus), D. Henry (Lotus). C. Taylor (Brabham) G. Watson (Brabham) and G. Mardon (Begg F.M.2 V 8). The sports-car events—the scratch race carries prize-money of $l5O and the

handicap slos—also promise to be closely contested, and no fewer than six U2 cars are entered. T. Turtill has entered the 7.7-litre Continental Special, and P. Stewart the Robat Mantis. There will be events for New Zealand specials, and races for saloons not in the main event, plus a flying farewell in which 20 cars will be invited to compete for prize-money of $345.