Pit Stops

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32274, 17 April 1970, Page 11

Pit Stops

A special version of the new Ford Escort 16-valve saloon won the Circuit of Ireland rally recently in the hands of R. Clark and J. Porter. As standard, the car is powered by a detuned version of the fourvalve per cylinder 1600 c.c. Ford-Cosworth engine; the rally car’s engine was enlarged to 1872 etc. and power output was increased from 120 b.h.p. at 6000 r.p.m. to 185 b.h.p. at 7500 r.p.m. ¥ * ¥

The first Formula 5000 championship race to be held in Britain this year was won by M. Walker in a McLaren MIOB, P. Gethin ’was second in a similar car and the New Zealand driven Howden Gan ley was third in another McLaren. The second event was won by Gethin, with M. Hallwood (Lola) second and Ganley third. Graham Mcßae (McLaren M10B) was third for most of the second -of the two heats, then had his fuel pump fail on the last lap. letting Ganley through. ¥ ¥ ¥

A North Island vineyard has given two cases of sparkling wine to be added to the Silver Fern Rally prize-list: the winner will take home one case, and the other two class winners will share the other case. At least two North Island companies have entered cars for the event, one a Toyota 1900 S entered by Consolidated Motor Industries, Ltd. It will be driven by M. Bitossi, the company’s manufacturing and service manager. ¥ ¥ ¥

Datsuns took the first two places in the East African Safari Rally and another Datsun finished fourth. The Japanese team thus won the team prize. The winning car was a Datsun 1600 SSS driven by E. Herrmann and H. Schuller. Ninety-one cars started the 3300-mile event and 25 finished.