Exciting O.S.C.A. racing likely

Press, 22 April 1977, Page 21

Exciting O.S.C.A. racing likely

A full field of 26 Open Saloon Car Association cars will line up on the grid at Ruapuna on Sunday for the second-last round of this season’s 0.5.C.A. championship, and some exciting racing looks likely. The final Ruapuna meeting of the season will also feature the fourth round of the First South Island production saloon car championship, two Formula Libre and two Clubmans saloons races — the two classes that were successfully introduced at the last Ruapuna meeting — two motor-cycle races and a celebrity tractor, bike and car race. lan Munt, of Christchurch, is well in front in the over-all O.S.C.A. championship in his VB- - Capri. He has 36 points, 11 more than the next competitor, Rod McElrea, of Ashburton (Mustang), with Ross Cameron (Dunedin, Steelway Camaro) third with only 14 points. McElrea has only just returned from the United States and will probably not appear on Sunday, and with only nine points for

first place up for grabs on Sunday it seems that Munt will run away with the championship, with only the Teretonga round remaining. However, it is a different story in the various classes. In class A, the 4500 to 6000 cu. cm saloons, Munt has 30 points, McElrea 29 and Cameron 19, so the other drivers will be trying hard to beat the flying Munt and open up the championship. Giving Munt and Cameron a hurry-up in the big class on Sunday will be the quick Central Otago driver, Frank Ryan, in his new Capri 5500. Jim McCombe, of Geraldine, will also reappear in his ageing Cobra Cortina and John Beattie will race his Cortina VB. Also in with a chance of taking top honours is Bob Slade, of Christchurch, who has his Gurney Capri sorted out at last. And showing that they are not slow will be the two GXT Camaros of Doug Allan, who won a heat at Manfeild last week-end, and Rob Farrar. Kevin Ryan, of Timaru, has a stranglehold on the B class, for 2000 to 4500 cu. cm cars, in his po-

tent Escort BDD. Ryan has 36 points, well ahead of Ross Hore (Escort 2000 turbo), on 18, and John Osborne (Escort Falcon) on 15. However, the B class could be thrown wide open on Sunday by Henry Hammond, of Winton, who now has the ex-Fahey Escort FVC 1800. Hammond is a quick peddler from the past and could upset the leaders. Another fast car in the B class is the Escort 2000 turbo of David Waldron. Christchurch’s incredible giant-killer, Trevor Crowe, has a handy lead in class C (0-2000) in his little yellow Datsun Coupe. Crowe has-27 points, three more than the quick Dunedin driver, Barry Vuyk (Sunbeam Ford). David Grant, of Timaru, has driven his Escort 2000 well to 18 points.

Chris Revell, of Dunedin, will join Vuyk in trying to bring down Crowe on Sunday. Revell has a new Escort 2000. Heading a gaggle of hot Minis are Doug Erskine (Southland), Austin Prattley, John Dymand and Laurie Bruce.

Erskine is actually leading the fourth O.S.C.A. class, the 0-1500 cu cm division for beginners. He has the maximum 27

points, followed by David Soal (Anglia 1500) and R. Morrison (Farina), both with 14. The class is sponsored by Rod McElrea and is ideal for drivers just starting in the sport. In the first South Island productions saloons, all the top drivers will be trying to bring down the giant of this season. John Armstrong, of Dunedin, in his Torana XUI. Armstrong has amassed 22| points this season, and is being chased bard by Barry Lloyd (Ashburton, Falcon XA) and Denis Marks (Christchurch, Torana XUI), who both have 16.

However, Armstrong has only to finish in the first three at Ruapuna to take the championship.

Another driver who will be out to prove himself is John Stutridge. of Christchurch, who could have been leading the championship if he had not missed two meetings with a blown motor. Alan Farr, of Timaru, should sew up the 16003000 cu cm class in his new Capri 3000. Farr is second in the championship behind Rod McElrea (Mazda Capella) but as it seems unlikely McElrea will front up, the Timaru driver could have it all his own way on Sunday and gain some valuable points. McElrea has 241 points, Farr 16) and John McCracken (Dunedin, Torana GTR) has 11. Another Timaru driver, Wayne Murdoch, should again run all over the other drivers in the 0-1600 class in his nippy little Avenger Alpine. Murdoch has astounded fans this season by winning every race in the Hillman, and

has the maximum 27 points. Brian Kilkellv (Datsun 120 Y SSS) has 15 and Chris Read, in a similar car, has 10. The B saloons that were so successful at the last Ruapuna meeting have had a name-change, and are now known as clubmans saloons. There are 14 entries, including the novel VW V 6 of Ashburton driver, Graham Wilson. and three Ford 2000engined cars, a Farina, a Prefect and an Anglia, from out-of-town entrants.

Heading the list for the Formula Libre races is the fast Christchurch Formula Ford driver. Brent Hamilton. in his Titan. Three other Formula Fords will also appear, driven bv Terry Tiffen (Begg), Garth Austin (Johnson) and Garv Jenkins (Gore. Elfin 600). Russell Greer will race again in his noisy Stanton Corvette and Des Joyce, of Ashburton, has fitted a twin-cam motor to his Nefo sports car for more performance, so could be worth watching. Various other local sports cars will also appear, including a group of Lotus 7 machines.

The celebrity race will involve four local personalities. Competitors will race down the back straight on Sockburn Motors tractors, jump on to Tommvs amaha Chappy minibikes and then putter through the esses to four Blackwell Motors Chevettes, which they will drive to the finish line.

The race should provide a hilarious spectacle.

Another feature of the meeting will be a procession of new cars available in Christchurch.