Karters protest new points system

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34128, 14 April 1976, Page 40

Karters protest new points system

' More than 200 entries have been received for the Marlboro New Zealand sprint kart championships, to be held at the Carrs Road Raceway on Saturday and Sunday.

However, many of them are dissatisfied with a new system of scoring points in the five heats for each championship and a special meeting of drivers is to be held on Friday morning to consider this further. Under the new system, the winner of each heat gets 1 point, the second 2. the third 3. The driver scoring the least points wins the title. If a competitor gets shunted out of a heat in which there are 24 starters he automaticailv collects 25 points and can have little chance of retrieving the situation. It is this which is upsetting the drivers.

The drivers want the points system altered or each driver’s worst performance in the five heats disregarded. Grid positions will be determined on Friday, when each entrant will have the opportunity to complete two officially timed laps. On Saturday, 10 titles will be decided, in two groups. The first period will include the 100 cu. cm light. The top driver from this will represent New Zealand at either the international 100 cu. cm championships in Hong Kong or in the world 100 cu. cm championships in West Germany. The engines in this class are highly modified, mostly of Italian origin and with rotarv valve induction.

John Hamilton, of Christchurch. who has recently returned from racing in Britain and on the Continent, must start as favourite for the rifle but the opposition will be strong. Chris Lamb-

den (Christchurch). Kerry Rowe, Eric Haddock, Keith Haddock (all Auckland), and Wally Brown (New Plymouth) are all capable of winning. Paul Crichton (Christchurch), who was the leading stock reed karter for some time, has moved up to this class and could be a dark horse. .

The afternoon programme includes the 150 cu. cm modified and the 250 cu. cm gearbox classes. In the 150 class, which has no restrictions regarding modifications or type of fuel. Doug Drake (Christchurch), will be making a special 'effort to win. In 16 years of karting at the highest national levels, he has never won a national title. Another karter of great experience, Robin Wilkinson (Christchurch), will be a major threat. He has won many titles and has twice represented New Zealand overseas. Phil Dickens and Allan Ladyman (both Palmerston

North) have been the leading drivers in the North Island this summer. Jim Rouse (Christchurch), the outright lap recordholder at Carrs Road, will also race in this class.

■ Peter Alipress (Christchurch) is the defending champion in the 250 gearbox class. However, he will be handicapped by a heavily’ plastered wrist, broken in a crash at Woodford Glen. David McMillan (Greymouth) and Graham Harrison (Auckland) will provide his strongest opposition Racing will begin at noon on Sunday and seven titles: will be decided. One of thej most popular classes is the; 100 cu.cm stock reed which is restricted to McCulloch; motors. This has been di-! vided into light and heavy' groups. The light class has been dominated by Mike ■ O’Cain (Christchurch) and! the men he will be watch-1 ing most carefully will be

Warren Vining (Palmerston' North) and Kerry Rowe: (Auckland). John Watts (Christchurch) looks to be the driver to beat in the heavy section, although Vining also intends to contest this. Three open classes — 125 modified, 100 junior open and 250 super karts — will be contested. Eric Haddock has won the 125 title many' times and is again favoured. However, both his brother, Keith, and Hamilton and Kerry Rowe (Auckland) are keen to break his winning run. 1 Barry Emms (ChristI church) should do well in : the 250 super kart championship, although he will be lin a borrowed kart. Stephen ’ King (Auckland) will defend I his title in the junior (drivers between the ages of 112 and 16) class. He can ex- ■ pect strong competition I from Colin Goss (Christchurch). competing at this 'level for the first time.