Pit Stops

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33064, 3 November 1972, Page 6

Pit Stops

The McLaren team might withdraw from Can-Am racing next year: the decision will depend on whether the Gulf Oil company decides to continue sponsoring the team. This year’s Can-Am series has been won by G. Follmer in the Penske team’s Porsche, and the No. 1 McLaren driver, D. Hulme, has said that trying to beat the 950 b.h.p. turbo-charged Porches with the 750 b.h.p. McLarens has been “like trying to shoot down a jumbo jet with a bow and arrow.” More power was obtained from the team’s Chevrolet engines, but unreliability then took over, and for three months the McLarens finished no races at all. * s’: ®

The New Zealand Formula Ford champion, D. Oxton, set fastest time in practice for the Formula Ford world championship race in Britain and broke the Brands Hatch Formula Ford lap record by o.Bsec. He led for much of the first lap of the 15-lap race, but on the second lap he spun and damaged the car, forcing his retirement. The event was won by J. Gerber, of Mexico. Part of the prize was a new Formula Ford car.

* Ss * The Wakatipu Car Club

has obtained permission to hold a hill-climb on the Coronet Peak Road on Saturday. The club says the road has the potential of becoming one of the finest and most interesting hill-climbs in New Zealand. The road is two miles long, with most corners protected by steel barriers. Every type of corner, from hairpins to fast curves, is encountered, the surface is sealed, and there is parking for 1000 cars at the top of the hill. Entries will be restricted to 40. * * *

As a result of his successful appeal against disqualification in the first race of the GTX production saloon series, L. Leonard is now second over-all, only 0.5 points behind R. Cook (Escort), who has 22.5 points. R.Francevic has 20 points, and P. Ross has 18. Leonard leads the big-car class, Cook leads group two, and P. Ross leads the small class. $ sji &

A Mercedes Benz club is to be formed in Canterbury, and an inaugural run will be held on

November 5, beginning in Christchurch at 2 p.m. and heading to Ashley Gorge. Further details of the club are available from Mr B. Bartlett, telephone Sumner 6058. ®

Twelve world Formula I race organisers have formed their own organisation, Grand Prix International, as an answer to the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association. Ss & *

Matra has announced that it is to withdraw from Formula I racing. Chris Amon is expected to drive for the March team next year as a result. The company will continue to take part in sports-car racing.

The national Formula Ford championship is now led by N. Bailey from G. Baker and D. McMillan, the Motorsport Association has announced. The lead in the Bank of New South Wales saloon series is shared bv D. Halliday (the 0 to 4200 c.c. class leader) and R. Cook (the 0 to 1000 c.c. leader), and P. Fahey is second and leader of the 0 to 6000 c.c. class. Halliday and Cook have 18 points, Fahey has 15. R. Coppins is second in the big-car class with 13 points.