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International drivers for Templeton races

Four of the world’s finest midget-car drivers —D. Strickland, B. Pinchbeck (both United States), R. Mackay and R. Wanless (both Australia) —have accepted invitations to race at the Templeton Speedway in January.

They will make their first appearance at Templeton on January 17, return for a special mid-week meeting on January 20, and then contest an international 30-lap event on January 27.

Strickland, who was third in the 1971 American championship, and Mackay, a former Australian champion, are no strangers to Templeton. Both raced there with considerable success last season. NARROW DEFEAT Strickland was narrowly beaten by the brilliant Auckland driver, B. Butterworth, whose ability to hold a tight pole-line paid handsome dividends. This time, Strickland is determined to win the event.

Butterworth, and another top New Zealand driver, T. Morris, also of Auckland, are both certain to be included in the field.

Strickland is bringing an American four-cylinder Offenhauser midget to New Zealand, similar to the machine he used last season. Mackay has changed his Offenhauser for a new Sesco.

Wanless, who made a name for himself as a supermodified rod driver before switching to midgets, will drive a similar car. Pinchbech, who has not previously raced in New Zealand, is putting his faith in a new machine powered by a Japanese Datsun engine. Later in the season, another top American driver, H. Butcher, is likely to race at Templeton. He is expected to contest the national midget car championship on February 24. The first major competition for Christchurch drivers will be on December 2 when Butterworth makes his first visit of the season. A week later he Will return for another

meeting and bring his fellow Auckland international, Morris, with him. Midget car fields in the season which opens at Templeton on Saturday night are the strongest since the speedway started. The South Island champion, J. McKitterick, will again be racing his veteran VB-60 midget and can expect exceptionally strong competition from E. Murray, M. Burt, R. Clive, L. Millar, and R. T. Hall. Murray, a former New Zealand champion, is returning after a season’s rest, and Hall, the most consistently successful driver at Templeton, will be entering a rebuilt car with a new power unit.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19721108.2.225

Bibliographic details

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33068, 8 November 1972, Page 34

Word Count
373

International drivers for Templeton races Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33068, 8 November 1972, Page 34

International drivers for Templeton races Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33068, 8 November 1972, Page 34