NATIONAL TITLE

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32274, 17 April 1970, Page 15

NATIONAL TITLE

Last Round To Decide (N.Z. Press Association) LEVIN. Lap records are expected to be shattered by New Zealand’s leading drivers in the final round of the national saloon car championship and touring car series at Levin on Saturday. The Gisborne driver, R. Coppins, on 30 points, is only two ahead of R. Dawson, of Manurewa, with J. Riley (Auckland), 22, in the saloon car championship.

Coppins will again be driving his mighty s|-litre Chev. Camaro, but he will be hardpressed to withstand the challenge of the 5-litre Ford Mustangs of Dawson and Riley. Dawson’s car has a 325 cu. in Shelby-tuned motor and Riley has a powerful GurneyWeslake head of the type used by D. Gurney at Indianapolis. Levin racing supporters will see for the first time the highly potent Ford Escort F.V.A. 1595, of P. Fahey, and although he is not in the running for the championship, his nimble car could well make a mockery of the bigger vehicles on the tight, 1.175mile circuit

J. Richards (Manurewa), in a twin-cam Escort, is fourth in the championship, with 16 points, and driving similar cars will be G. Sprague (Timaru) and J. Nazer (Auckland). Sprague won the four-hour production car race in Levin last year and Nazer has recently acquired an F.VA unit similar to Fahey’s. He also holds the present 1301-2000 c.c. group five lap record in a time of 58.2 sec.

Anderson, Sprague and Richards are all very close on points in the 1001-4200c.c. category of the national touring car series. However, B. Phillips (Papakura), in a Mini Cooper S., has such a strangle-hold on the up to IOOOc-c. category, that he must be rated favourite for the over-all title.