HEATWAY RALLY Cowan holds 20min lead

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32902, 28 April 1972, Page 20

HEATWAY RALLY Cowan holds 20min lead

(From A. J. PETRE) GISBORNE. With three of the five divisions in the international Heatway Rally now run, the Scot, A. Gowan, and his co-driver, J. Scott, in a Mini Clubman, lead the 72 cars remaining in the field by more than 20 minutes.

They gained the lead late Wednesday night after M. Marshall (Ford Escort) first damaged his front suspension when he put a wheel into a ditch on a special stage and later had gear box failure. Marshall now lies fifty-seventh.

Wednesday night’s special stages, held in clear and frosty weather, were fast and less difficult than many of the stages which have gone before. Cowan, in particular, said he thoroughly enjoyed them. CLOSER TO TARGET Second place in the event is now held by the Toyota Corolla of C. Taylor and C. Foulkes—a pair who said earlier that they hoped they could hold their position while Cowan and Marshall "blew each other up.” With Marshall gone, they are that much closer to their target. Thirteen minutes down on the Corolla is the Australian entered Ford Escort of R. Holden and J. DowsonDamer. Fourth place is held

by the BMW 2002 of P. Adams and D. Fenwick, which has now gone ahead of the second New Zealand Motor Corporation Mini Clubman, driven by A. Hyslop and M. Langley. I. Pinkerton-S. Lachan (Toyota Corolla) are sixth, L Leonard-G. Richardt (Datsun 1600) seventh and R. EmsonW. Jones (Holden Torana XUI) is next, ahead of N. Jones-R. McLean (Triumph 2.5 PI) and J. Foster-B. Green (BMW 2002). IMPORTS WELL BACK

The two Morris Marinas which the Motor Corporation imported from Britain for the event, have slipped to the back of the field after various mechanical troubles. J. Richards, in one of the Marinas, wrecked the sump on a rock and is now about sixty-fourth. Last night the crews were driving special stages and rally stages in the East Cape and Hawke's Bay areas, and will have their next stop al Napier this morning. After a day of sleep in Napier, they will continue on to the finish of the rally in Wellington on Saturday.