SMITH BACK WITH UP-DATED KART

Press, 1 June 1977, Page 20

SMITH BACK WITH UP-DATED KART

The Adelaide karter, Mike Smith, is to return to New Zealand on Saturday to defend his national grand prix (250 cu.cm) title at Ruapuna. Smith, the South Australian 250 cu. cm champion, had a 20-lap battle at the Manfeild Auto Course with the Christchurch driver. Robin Wilkinson, last June, but this year’s result is very much up in the air. The Australian has updated his 250 cu. cm watercooled Yamaha while Wilkinson has built up a new kart. There will also be a

strong challenge from the North Island with the 12 confirmed entries including "Ginger” Molloy, a former motor-cycling champion, and Jimmy Weafer, the title winner in 1973. N'ational grand prix have been held annually for some years but this time the host, the Christchurch Kart Club, has included a road racing championship in the programme. There will be two grand prix races — 125 cu. cm (junior) and 250 cu. cm (senior) —and both will be held over 25 laps with up to 30 starters.

Preceding these races early on Saturday afternoon will be the inaugural road racing championships which will be held for four classes of machine (100 cu. cm reed, 100 cu. cm open, 150 cu. cm open, 250 cu. cm open) over three heats. The national body has relaxed its rules on karts for road racing and this week-end spectators will see machines with aerofoils. wings and spoilers attached. On Sunday there will be a North v. South contest, then the championship finals.