Close racing likely

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33052, 20 October 1972, Page 11

Close racing likely

Big entries and competitive racing are expected at the South Canterbury Car Club's Timaru Raceway circuit on Sunday, when the meeting will include a further title event in the Ace-O.S.C.A. saloon series as well as a 60minute production-car race.

The production race, the second of a South Island series of two, is one which the Christchurch driver, £. Inwood (Torana XUI) will be keen to win: he won the first event at Invercargill but this time will have to contend with the new entry of R. Rutherford (Charger E 49). The Open Saloon Car Association entrants will also be trying hard: because of the size of the circuit at Timaru, only 16 cars will be able to start in the final event, so those in the heats will be keen to do well. When the last O.S.C.A. meeting was held at Teretonga Park, eight cars were lapping within four seconds of each other in practice, with L. Neilson (Escort) fastest The first heat was won by J. Armstrong (Mustang), with J. McComb (Cortina Cobra) second and B. Jenner (Camaro) third. The second O.S.C.A. heat at Teretonga was fought all the way by Neilson and F. Ryan (Escort). Neilson won by about half a length, the G. Aitken Mini third. There were 20 cars on the grid for the final event, with Ryan and McComb on the front row and Neilson and Armstrong on the second. Neilson and Ryan led the way initially, but after three laps McComb roared into the lead in the Cortina Cobra.

Neilson passed him on the corners, but McComb regained the lead shortly afterwards, with Armstrong second. They finished in this order, with Neilson third after a close race. There are 38 entries for Sunday’s O.S.C.A. event and the “dark horse” of the entry list is the Monaro Corvette of the noted Christchurch driver, R. Silvester, which will be making its first competitive appearance. Another new cat will be the Chevroletpowered Toyota Corolla of T. Crowe. McComb leads the Ace series at present with nine points, but the Cobra was written off when it rolled at Ruapuna Park last week-end

with G. Hargreaves at th* wheel. Eventually the running gear may appear in another car; in the meantime, it is possible McComb will race at Timaru in a borrowed car. Second place in the series after Teretonga is held by Armstrong, with six points. Neilson is third with four points and Ryan is fourth with three points. The O.S.C.A. races will comprise two five-lap heats and a 15-lap final. The meet ing will include races for single-seaters and a further event in the sports car championship There will also be motor-