Tasman series doubt

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33818, 15 April 1975, Page 28

Tasman series doubt

1 f.N Z P .4 Stuff Ccrrespondent I SYDNEY. I he future of the Tasman motor - racing series is in doubt, with reports in Australia yes(terday that the series sponsor. Rothmans, is keen lo promote an allAustralian series in'stead. “Ihe Australian” yesterday quoted Mr Jim Shepherd, promotions manager for RuthImans, as saving that his comipany was looking at a fourrace, Australia-only series. Mr Shepherd was not available yesterday, but his office ;and motoring intersts both Iconfirmed that the report was (correct. ■ Mr Shepherd told “The (Australian" that the present set-up with four races in each counrv made it difficult to ‘get top-line drivers to com- ; pete for two months. It would (be easier to bring them to i Australia only. ( Rothmans may bring two or three Formula One cars to

Australia plu> second-string grand prix drivers for the series, he said. “We are looking to Australia. not New Zealand. We feel we can promote a series that is more beneficial toi Australian motor-racing than' the Tasman series, which is shared bv two bodies of promoters and two controlling bodies.” he said. “Australia has the bulk of the Formula 5000 cars, so it is onlv natural we would like to direct our support here. If New Zealand wishes to follow us. we will be quite happv to have them But we will not be sponsoring more races in New Zealand if the local series gets off the ground." The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport was also unavailable for comment vesterdav, but representatives of race promoters said no final decisions had been made vet. A spokesman for organisers of the Tasman race at Surfers Paradise said that while ‘here had been discussions between Rothmans and the promoters, and also discussions with the New Zealand grand prix authorities, no final agreement had been reached. DRIVER S COMMENT The snokesman said it was his understanding that anv new series would be timed so that New Zealand could hold (its own series at a different ( time. Drivers would then be able to comnete in both series if they wished to do so. but the Australian series, if adopted, would be unite separate from the New Zealand races. “The Australian” quoted an

Australian driier. Kevin Ba: lett. a s supporting the pro posed ail-Australian series, and saying the Tasman series had lost momentum because people seemed to expect too much of it. At a meeting ot drivers immediately .Hter the las in this vear's Tasman seriethere was genera! agreement among drivers that the Tas man events had been success ful and should be repeated week-end oft between th< New Zealand and Australian sections to give more tinm shipping and repairing cars and equipment A spokesman tor (AMs at that t series.