Wylie to compete in Asia

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32676, 4 August 1971, Page 28

Wylie to compete in Asia

The New Zealand 500c.c. motor-eycle roadracing ■ champion, D. Wylie, of Christchurch, left last evening on an overseas competitive tour which will take him to Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and, if he has some success financially, to America.

He will wheel his HarrisSuzuki twin on to the starting grid for the first time for the Royal Perak 200, at Penang, on August 28- Only a few months ago, on his first excursion overseas, he won the Penang grand prix. Before leaving yesterday, Wylie said that he had received very little)-* information

about any of the events he intended competing in. “I believe the Royal Perak event is of 200 miles. If so, it will be the longest race I have ever entered.”

He has decided to travel well prepared for long distance racing. He has built up a fuel tank with a capacity of seven gallons and a half to replace the normal one of five gallons and a half on the Suzuki.

His next event will be the Malaysian grand prix at Kuala Lumpur on September 4. Then he will ride in a grand prix meeting at Singapore on September IL The Hong . Kong event will be about two weeks later. "I know very little about this. I will start negotiations when I get there," Wylie said.

The American meeting which has attracted his interest is in California on

October 17. "There is i $50,000 in prize money and 1 the trip would be worthwhile, ■ even if I came fifteenth. If I ' have got enough money. 1 will go.” . Another prominent New ' Zealand Suzuki rider, G. Perry, of Auckland, also is considering racing in this lucrative event Perry and the New Zealand 350 ex. champion, T. Discombe (Hamilton), ' who rides a Yamaha, already are committed to ride in the Asian events. K. Turner ; (Hutt Valley), who at present is lying second in the world 500 c.c. championship, also is considering leaving Europe . to ride in the more financially rewarding Asian events. Perry, and Wylie, and Turner if he competes, will race ' as an unofficial Suzuki team. All three will have accommodation, travel and mechanics provided free by Suzuki

agents. “We will be more or less riding for ourselves but we will help one another if we can,” Wylie explained. Wylie, who is partially supported financially by the Christchurch motor-cycle enthusiast, Mr R. J. Harris, hopes to be sponsored in Asia by the Dairy Board. He considers that the opposition on the trip will be the toughest he has met. The Australian champion, R. Tombs, has entered for the meetings and Japanese teams from Suzuki, Yamaha, kawasaki and Honda are expected to be there. He intends to return to New Zealand for the Christmas circuit before making another Asian tour, and then trying his luck in Europe. The picture shows Wylie In action on the 500 ex. Suzuki twin he will race in Asia.