Surprise grand prix entry

Press, 9 April 1977, Page 48

Surprise grand prix entry

By

ROD DEW

One of New Zealand’s ■ most successful international . riders of the early 19705, Keith Turner, of Taradale, is I planning a serious comback after several years in vhe ’ background and has made an unexpected entry for the ■New Zealand senior (500 cu 'em) and open grand prix events at Ruapuna Park tomorrow. I ‘‘This is going to make ! things very interesting,” the ■ organiser, ” Mr Tommy McCleary, jun., said yesterday. “Keith is going to be a ; very strong contender for ' both titles in spite of his casual approach to racing in recent years.” i Turner’s entry had arrived I after the official closing date [but the postmark indicated that it had been held up inv the mail. Because of this, it [I I had been officially accepted,', [Mr McCleary’ said. Late en- ; , ! tries were not considered. I Turner’s record of , achievement on the inter- , ! national scene in Europe has ■. [been matched by few other [

'New Zealanders. He, travelled there as a 19-year-i old in the 1960 s and spent;: several years working his' way through to the top. In ! 1971, his efforts were re- 1 warded when he finished j , runner-up to the great Ital-h [ian rider, Giacomo Agostini.:

(M. V. Augusta), in the world 500 cu cm championship series. The outstanding New Zealand rider rode an air-cooied TRSOO Suzuki twin which was built in New Zealand for the Suzuki importers, Percy Coleman, Ltd. The combination of Turner’s ability and' New Zealand’s engineering skill provided one of the big upsets of that international season. Since that time, Turner has done little. He has been fully occupied establishing a motor-cycle business and his racing has been inconsistent. In 1973 he won the New Zealand junior grand prix — his first — on a 350 Yamaha but that is one meeting he has few fond memories of. He was strongly favoured to [win the senior grand prix [later in the day only to go: j sliding on the wet track ■while holding second place. [He push-started his racer but when he reached the end of the main straight at morel than 100 miles an hour he' discovered to his horror that;

e | both brakes had been broken -jin his spill. j As the machine hurtled off I the track he stood up and , | leapt clear, miraculously *|rolling to a stop unhurt. The! ! Yamaha continued on| through the pine trees then Cat the end of the straight _ I before eventually toppling, '■over. It, too, ecsaped with! . only superficial damage. The title went to Jim jLandrebe (Dunedin), who is [also entered for the 1977 r grand prix meeting on a Sui zuki-based special. 11 This time, Turner will be ; 1 riding one of the finest 500 . | cu cm racers in the sport — r i the RGSOO Suzuki which - was used by the American, 11 Pat Hennen, to win the j j last Marlboro international | .!series. On this, Turner will! > be the rider to beat in the ! : i senior grand prix and will at i ) I least be a serious threat to I ; I the veteran Hamilton rider, I . iTrevor Discombe, in thei ■ open grand prix. Discombe! ijwill race the special Nico! >; Bakker TZ7SO Yamaha raced ■ Iby Stewart Avant in thei Marlboro events. I