Circuit much improved

Press, 5 August 1977, Page 9

Circuit much improved

Canterbury Car Club members have put a lot of work into the Ruapuna rallycross circuit over the last few months, and it is now a lot smoother than it was for the first sponsored rallycross in August last year.

The vicious potholes evident last year are all gone, so drivers will be able to “let it all hang out” on Sunday in the Frist rallycross meeting. Members of the C.C.C. spent a day digging out the old course and then contractors were called in to pack it down and establish a new surface of clay-based topsoil. The track has also been widened considerably, so drivers will not have so much trouble passing slower cars.

It was hoped that a “yump” — a term originating from Scandinavians’ trouble with the word “jpmp” — and a water splash would also be included in the course this year but finance has not permitted this, so these developments will probably be included next year. The rallycross circuit utilises part of the sealed Ruapuna racing circuit — along part of the back straight in the “wrong” direction and around the sweeping Rothmans corner. Then the cars will leave the sealed surface and turn right on to the clay track, negotiate a tight left-hander, a straight, a sweeping righthander and another straight before again joining the back straight at the pit entrance. The start-finish line has been moved further down the back straight so the more powerful cars will not have so much of an advantage at the start of