Four-man battle likely in international series

Press, 9 December 1976, Page 23

Four-man battle likely in international series

Bv

ROD DEW

The $30,000 Marlboro international road racing series, which begins at Auckland on December 19, appears likely to develop into a four-man battle for the major share of the prize money.

The leading contenders are almost certain to be Chas Mortimer (England), Warren Willing (Australia), Stewart Avant (New Zealand) and the winner for the last two seasons, Pat Hennen (United States).

All are capable of winning the series and it seems probable that lap records will be set at ail five venues. Mortimer, who was third in the last world 350 championship and won the last Isle of Man junior T.T., will be riding a TZ7SO Yamaha with a cantilever frame. He is the only one among the main contenders who has had no previous experience of the tight little New Zealand circuits and a lot will depend on how quickly he adapts to these. Willing competed in the first Marlboro series three years ago without great success but he has since developed considerably as a rider. He recently won the Australian unlimited championship on a dealersupported 0W29 Yamaha 750 — the works bike which preceded the OW3I Yamahas now sweeping all before them in big bike races. This is reputed to be the fastest 750 in the southern hemisphere, although Avant might shortly be in a position to dispute this. His new Nico Bakkerframed cantilever TZ7SO Yamaha, reputed to have .cost $lO,OOO, is probably the finest road racer to be used by a New Zealander. “It is fantastic,” Avant said after his first testing period at Ruapuna Park. “It goes like a rocket.” AVANT’S ROCKET Sponsored by Tommy’s Yamaha, the bike is actually the brain child of Mike Sinclair, who accompanied Avant in Europe last northern season. On this, Avant is widely regarded as the rider to beat — notwithstanding his relative lack of success on a troublesome TZ7SO Yamaha two seasons ago. Last season, Avant was the first New Zealander in the series, riding an RGSOO Suzuki four. However, the key to the outcome of this year’s series could well be with Hennen. He became the first American to win a grand prix in Europe when he won the Finnish world championship round and he finished third overall in the world 500 championship on an RGSOO Suzuki sponsored by the New Zealand importers, Percy Coleman, Limited. Whether he can win his third successive Marlboro series will depend largely on the machine he is provided with. Suzuki's threecylinder 750 is no longer competitive and the RGSOO is not quite fast enough to match the bigger bikes on all but the

tight street circuits. There has been widespread speculation that Hennen’s recent visit to Japan was to test a new experimental RG7SO four. If this is so, there is a real prospect that he will bring one to New Zealand for the series. However, Suzuki officials have indicated that the bike will not be ready until the middle of next year so this is now less likely than it seemed a few weeks ago. WOODLEY’S CHANCES John Woodley (Blenheim), joint winner with Avant of the national 500 crown last season, finds himself in a similar position. It appears that he will again be forced to take on the bigger bikes of his rivals on an RGSOO Suzuki — in which case he will probably have to be content with minor placings. His chance of winning the series must be slim, although if he is consistent he could still come out on top.

There can be do doubt that he has been riding brilliantly in Australia during the winter. John Boote (Christchurch),

winner of the New Zealand senior and open grand prix titles earlier this year, has been without a bike since the frame of his big Yamaha was stolen. But it will be surprising if he does not arrive at the starting line in Auckland with a competitive mount. And those who underrate his chances will do so at considerable risk. Another overseas rider who could make his mark is the prominent Belgian, JeanPhilippe Orban, who has been Mortimer’s team-mate in Europe. He will ride a TZ7SO Yamaha. The series this season is running on the same points system as last with two legs at each of the five rounds. The prize money of almost $20,000 has, however, been re-allocated. A $7500 prize pool has been formed and this will be paid to the top 14 riders at the end of the series. 350 CONTEST A 350 series with prize money exceeding $3500 is being held in conjunction with the main series and this has attracted big entries

from Australia and New Zealand. Mortimer and his younger brother, Robin, have entered and 17-year-old Randy Mamola (United States), who did so well in the class races last season, is returning for this. The top New Zealanders will include Avant (TZ3SO Yamaha), Mike Vinsen (TZ3SO Yamaha) and Brent Wylie (TZ3SO Yamaha). Nine top Australian 350 riders have confirmed their entries, including the rider regarded as the most promising rider Australia has produced in recent years, Ray Quincey. In the last championship season, he won the Australian 250 crown on a TZ2SO Yamaha and won both the 350 and 500 championships on his TZ3SO Yamaha. Remarkably, it was his first full racing season. The dates and venues for the five meetings are:— Auckland, December 19; Wanganui, December 27; Wellington, January 2; Timaru, January 9; Christchurch, January 16.