Coppins beats Sprague

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33858, 2 June 1975, Page 3

Coppins beats Sprague

(N.Z. Press Association) I PALMERSTON NORTH. Despite three stops to refuel. Rod Coppins (Auckland) drove a perfect race in his Holden Tbrana SLR 5000 to take the Villa 'Maria 300 at the Manfield Autocourse, near Feilding, yesterday. This race, the first of a series, was over 100 laps of the Manfield course and took a heavy toll of machinery — only 20 of the| original 45 starters finished. I Most of the cars had one stop to refuel, but Coppins had to make three pit stops. However he was quickly back into the lead each time. i Gary Sprague (Timaru); drove steadily-in his Charger: E 49 to take second comfort-1 ably. He did not have to stop; to refuel at all during the; 100 laps. j Dave Baker (Christchurch) was lying third in his Camaro when the engine blew up. From the start the prerace favourite, another Auckland driver, Jim Richards in the Monaco Camaro led thei way but with nearly 30 laps gone the Camaro began to; burn smoke and Richards was forced into the pits. This pit stop cost him the : race. He had to have both, back tyres changed and quick j repairs done to an oil leak I from the rocker gear which; was spreading over the ex-i haust system. He rejoined the race in six-; teenth position and did well to make it home fourth. There was rain before the; race, and some drizzle during it, but the track dried out. fairly quickly.

Provisional results:— Villa Maria 300 (100 laps).— R. Coppins (Holden Torana SLR) 1, G. Sprague (Chrysler Charger E 49) 2. J. Little (Charger. E 49) 3, J Richards-N. Crichton (Camaro Z*2B) 4.

Class 11. 1301-3000 c.c.—K. Adamson (BMW 2000 TI) 1. R. Millen (Mazda RX3) 2, T. Warren (Porsche 911 S) 3. Class HI. 0-1300 c.c.—G. BaleI. Kirk (Datsun 1200 SSS) 1, G. Patchett (Datsun 1200 SSS) 2, B. Baker-S. Mac Knight (Morris Clubman G.T.) 3.