Record entry for rich road racing classic

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34127, 13 April 1976, Page 25

Record entry for rich road racing classic

(By

ROD DEW)

A record entry of more than 200 of the Dominion’s leading road racers — all seeking a share in the total prize money of more than $2OOO — has been received for the New Zealand motor-cycle grand prix meeting at Ruapuna Park on Easter Sunday.

Strong competition in all 12 races on the comprehensive programme of racing class, production, modified production, vintage and sidecar events is assured.

But in the senior and open grand prix events one man stands out from all the others — John Boote, of Christchurch. His plans to travel overseas were disrupted because of the theft of his TZ7SO Yamaha chassis last week and he is now directing all his efforts to winning his first grand prix titles. He will ride the works replica RGSOO Suzuki four on loan to him from the Suzuki factory and should prove too fast for his rivals in the senior (up to 500 cu. cm) event of 20 miles. The exotic two-stroke has been out of action since the ill-fated Australian T.T. because of a broken water pump but a replacement is being flown out direct from Japan to ensure that the machine will be mobile. “It doesn’t pay to be too confident but as long as the bike keeps going I am sure I can win the senior race. The open grand prix should be fun, too,” Boote said. “I think I can give those TZ7SO Yamahas something to chase. I am going to really enjoy myself.” CHALLENGERS However, if the tall Christchurch international falters, there will be no shortage of challengers for the most prestigious of all grand prix titles.- Paul Goodyer (Wellington), Ashley Frew (Lower Hutt), Paul McLachlan (Christchurch) and Brian Thomson (Wellington) will all be mounted on 500 Suzuki twins. Thomson might prove a dark horse. His machine is the TRSOO Mark 111 raced early this season by the national 500 champion, Stewart Avant, and is undoubtedly one of the fastest twins in the sport. McLachlan, who knows Ruapuna Park well, is another likely to be very much to the fore. An even bigger challenge could come from the rider who leads the national 350 series, Mike Vinsen (TZ3SO Yamaha), of Auckland. He is a rider of no little ability who should be very much at home on the one mile Ruapuna circuit. Another notable entry is that of Jim Landrebe (Dunedin), winner of the senior title in 1971 and 1973. After a period away from the sport, he returned this season with a very competitive Suzuki-based three-cylinder 370 cu. cm machine built by Jim Cashman, of Timaru. Lindsay McLeod (Christchurch, Bill Holmes (Auckland) and Barry Wylie (Christchurch), all on TZ3SO Yamahas, can be relied on to put pressure on the leaders. Most of those competing in the senior event have

also entered for the open grand prix, also to be run over 20 laps. Boote will ride the same Suzuki RGSOO four in both grand prix events and, although he will be giving away a considerable amount in power and top speed, he will still be favoured to win. RUAPUNA “KING” Paul McLachlan will use his very fast TZ7SO Yamaha for the open event and must be considered a threat. He won the “King of Ruapuna” title last season and performed with distinction in the Marlboro international series earlier this year. Bob Haldane and Ken Fletcher (both Auckland) are others capable of giving Boote a hard time. Haldane has represented New Zealand in the Isle of Man. Both will race TZ7SO Yamahas. Another rider who should make his mark is Gary Boote (Christchurch), who will also ride one of the massive and very quick TZ7SO Yamahas. He now has a considerable amount of experience behind him and around Ruapuna is as fast as anyone. Other top men in the field include . Richard Freeth (Auckland), Anthony Cunningham (Blenheim), who has bought the TZ7SO Yamaha formerly raced by Dennis Ireland, and Reg Hyde (Timaru) on a Ducati 750.

The New Zealand junior grand prix has always been a keenly fought race and this season’s event looks like. being no exception. Vinsen, undoubtedly the finest rider in this class this season, is the man to beat, although it will be his first attempt to win the grand prix. Russell Schoular (Wellington), Holmes, lan Disney (Wellington) and Wylie, all on TZ3SO Yamahas, are all capable of setting the pace. But in this race the 250 machines should also make their presence felt. The reigning national 125 chdmpion, Kevin McCleary (Christchurch), plans to retire from racing at the end of the meeting after more than 22 seasons of competition. But he seems certain to go out on a high note. He will ride the TZ2SO Yamaha brought to New Zealand by the American teen-ager, Randy Mamola, for the Marlboro series. ANOTHER TITLE

Originally prepared by the America-based Australian, Kel Carruthers, this machine has a performance little inferior to the bigger 350 s and McCleary, who has already six grand prix titles to his credit, is capable of getting the best out of it. On this, McCleary looks to have a great chance of winning the light-weight grand, prix. His passage to victory will be made easier by the absence of the leader of the national 250 series, Brent Wylie (Christchurch), and the 1975 national 250 champion, Gary Boote (Christchurch). Wylie’s machine has a damaged motor and Boote has sold his smallest Yamaha.

However, the race still looks! wide open with such riders’" as Malcolm Edwards (Christchurch) and lan McDermitt (Christchurch) cap-

able of. rising to the occasion. In the ultra light-weight grand prix .of 10 miles, McCleary will be trying for his second successive victory on his little TAI2S Yamaha twin. It is the same machine he has used for the last two seasons to win the national 125 series and his dominance is undoubtedly the greatest this season that it has been. Nevertheless, nothing can be taken for granted in the 125 class where machines are all of comparable performance. One missed gear can mean the difference between finishing first or out of a placing. “DANGER MAN” Norris Farrow (Auckland) provided a surprise by beating McCleary in the Hamilton round of the national series and he will be the “danger man” on Sunday. Neville Hiscock (Lower Hutt) is another rider capable of challenging the experienced defending champion. Both ride TAI2S Yamahas.

The national sidecar champion, Paul Corbett (Blenheim), has retired but competition in the class

promises to be the strongest in recent times. Lew Murray (Timaru) appears to be the leading contender for the title on his powerful 1000 cu. cm Kawasaki outfit. The former Christchurch rider, Ivan Clarke (Timaru), is bringing a machine powered by a TZ7SO Yamaha engine and Chris Olsen, formerly of Wellington but now living in Christchurch, has mated two air-cooled Yamaha 350 engines together to power his outfit. His passenger will be another Christchurch rider, Alister Mitchell.

The production races promise to be just as exciting as the racing class events. Two events df 15 laps are programmed and more than 50 riders have entered for each. In the second race, there will be a class for modified production machines which- should create a lot of interest. It is some years since machines of this type were permitted.