Four wins and a second boost Crowe’s standing

Press, 16 August 1976, Page 3

Four wins and a second boost Crowe’s standing

By

JOHN FRIDD

The dynamic Christchurch driver, Trevor Crowe, enhanced his standing as one of the South Island’s top rally drivers with a skilful display at the first sponsored rallycross at the Ruapuna motor-racing circuit yesterday. Crowe threw his little yellow Datsun 1200 SSS around the twisting Ikm circuit in fine style to win four races and come second in the fifth. He found the mixture of dirt, mud, and sealed track to the Datsun’s liking and had more success getting its power on to the ground than some of the bigger cars, notably his old rally rival, John Sergei (Escort RS1800). Sergei won two races and also had two seconds. In race five, Crowe and Sergei had a tremendous battle until Sergei lost control on a loose-dirt bend and

f spun out, and was lucky to I hold on to second place. However, in race nine they were again pitted against each other, and Sergei managed to hold off the yellow Datsun to win, despite almost spinning out of control and hitting the flag marshall on the last bend. Crowe set the fastest time of the day, at 4min 32.65ec, compared with Sergei's 4:47.7. Two other consistent performers were Ernie Richardson (Christchurch, Escort RS2000) and Arch King (Mayfield, Datsun 1600). In the last race, for English cars, Richardson forced Sergei into an error and cleared out to win the race. Crowe said after the event that he had found the circuit, which has just been developed by the Canterbury Car Club, quite tricky and a good test. “I think a water splash] would make it more inter-!

esting but otherwise its pretty good,” he said. The Radio Avon-sponsored meeting featured several handicap races, and good handicapping produced some exciting four-lap races. Crowe started a full lOsec behind the first car in one race but some aggressive driving on the last lap gave him first place narrowly. About 1400 people braved the brisk wind to see the racing, and efficient organisation ensured that as soon as one race was finished, another started, allowing 16 car and three motor-cycle races to be run m three hours.

Graham Stapleton, the top Christchurch speedway rider, dominated the motor-cycle races, powering his motocross machine away for two wins and a third. His third placing came in a handicap race, in which he was so severely handicapped that he had no chance of catching the leaders.

| Results were (from ChristI church unless stated):— i Race 1: T. Crowe (Datsun 1200 |SSS(, 4:35.4, 1; S. Callawa.t (Datsun 1200 SSS), 2; E. Richardson I (Escort RS2000), 3. Race 2: J, (Sergei (Esoort RS1800). 4:55 7,1: R. Grice (Ashburton. Mazda RX3). 2; N. Porter (Honda Civic), 3. Race 3: M. Sadler (Escort RS2000), 5:02.8. 1: N. Pilling (Anglia GTO), 2: P. Pannell (Datsun 1200). 3. Race 4: A. King (Mayfield Datsun 1600). 5:08.8, 1; P. Cox (Datsun 1600), 2; J. Foxton (Datsun 1200), 3. Race 5: T. Crowe. 4:32.6. 1: J. Sergei 2; M. Sadler, 3. Race 6: R. Grice, 5:00.8 1: D Ogle (Mini Cooper S). 2; A. King, 3. Race 7: B. Reid (Datsun 1200 SSS) 5:03.9, I; E. Morgan (Anglia GT). 2: A. Wilson IKaiapoi. Mini Cooper), 3. Race 8: P. Cox. 5:13.6. 1: B. Harwood iKaiapoi. Mini Cooper), 2; J. Foxton. 3. Race 9: J. Sergei. 4:47.7. 1; T. Crowe. 2: E. Richardson. 3. Race 10: P. Morehan (Datsun 1200,. 5:01.7. 1: D. Ogle, 2; B. Mills (Mitsubishi Galant) 3. Race 11: A. King, 5:05.8, 1: N. Porter, 2: P. Cox. 3. Race 12: B. Mills 5:04.8, 1; A. Wilson. 2: P. Morehan, 3. Race 13: T Crowe. 5:01.0, 1; A. King, 2: E. Richardson. 3. Race 14: P. Fisher (Honda Civic). 5:03.8. 1: P. Pannell. 2: B. Harw : ood. 3. Race 15: T. Crowe. 5:01.1. 1: P. Pannell. 2; B. Mills. 3. Race 16: E. Richardson, 4:54.0 1; J. Sergei, 2: D. Ogle. 3.