Murdoch wins in new car

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33694, 18 November 1974, Page 18

Murdoch wins in new car

(.V.Z. Press Association)

AUCKLAND. J. Murdoch, in the new Begg (118. won the fifth round of the P. 0.5.8. 5000 series at Pukekohe yesterday, while his rivals ran into problems.

Some of Murdoch’s I opposition was eliminated even before the start. N. Doyle, who was lying second in thej series, broke a driveshaft in practise on Saturday. He did not have a spare and his efforts to obtain one for his Surtees TS9B were not successful As the race began G. Baker, who had set fastest 1 lime in practice, leapt into the lead, followed by Murdoch, K. Smith and F. Bray. Just before the completion, of the first lap, the Begg FMS; of Bray locked up its front brakes and the car slammed; into the fence, and out of I the race. At the front Baker was! having gear selection prob-j lems. On the eighth lap he[ went straight over the curbs: in the back straight as hewas unable to select any; gear. The front body work of the car was damaged and | Murdoch was able to out-| break him into the hairpin. Back in the field, the Lola! T 332 of K. Smith was havingl problems. MOTOR TROUBLE The Smith crew had spent; all night fitting a new motor; after a conrod went through! the side of the engine block! of the “hot” engine in practice. As the race progressed, the back-up motor that had been 1 fitted began to sound flatter and the now elderly Begg FM4 of R. Booth caught and passed Smith. 1 The race ran out its 20 laps, with Baker falling fur- 1 ther astern of Murdoch until he was only left with three 1 gears. Murdoch crossed the 1 line well in front of Baker, I followed by Booth and the struggling Smith. Other races resulted; Formula Ford championship.— First qualifying heat: D. McMillan (Titan Mark 6C. Auckland) 1, P. Haskett (Van Dieman. Papatoetoe) 2, D. Wood (Palliser W.D.F.2, Mt Eden) 3. Second qualifying heat: B. Riley (Begg J.M.I, Papatoetoe; 1, G. Walker (Elfin, Papakura) 2, R. Stone (Gilbey, Onewheroi 3. Final: Riley 1, Walker 2. McMillan 3. Wood 4. Castrol G.T.C. championship.— ; ! 0-1150 c.c.: S. Emson (Fiat 128,, Manurewa) 1, M. Smurthwaite I [ (Fiat 128. Papatoetoe) 2, B. Todd I (Fiat 128, Epsom) 3. 1151 C.C.-2000 c.c.: R. Emson (Fiat 124. Manurewa) 1, P. Henley (Fiat 124. Parnell) 2, M. Draper (Fiat 124. Pukekohe) 3. 2001 C.C.-4500 c.c.:

R. Coppins (Chrysler Charger, Grey Lynn) 1. 11. Colthart (Chrysler Charger. St Heliers) 2. B. Washer i Mazda RX2. Remuera) 3. 4501 e.c.-6000 c.c.: J. Richards (Ford Falcon G.T.. Weymouth) 1. K. McNamara (Ford Falcon G.T.. Remuera) 2. D. Scott (Holden Monaro 350. Palmerston North) 3.