More cars, money for O.S.C.A.

Press, 30 August 1977, Page 36

More cars, money for O.S.C.A.

By

JOHN FRIDD

"Big-banger” racing has been legislated out of national motorsport, but South Islanders will see even more big saloons in the coming season than they saw last year.

The Christchurch-based Open Saloon Car Association has announced 45 firm entries for next season’s racing, and the total could be boosted to 60 by the entry of other cars still under construction.

In the prestige 4500-6000 cu cm class, there are 11 definite entries and another four possible starters. Last year’s champion, lan Munt, of Christchurch (Capri V 8), will have a tough battle to keep his title.

Lawrie Bruce, of Christchurch, has entered ‘he Mustang Boss 302 in which he

won the 1973-74 championship, and the Te Anau contractor, Frank Ryan, will front up in a new Capri powered by a 302 V 8 engine. Rod McElrea, of Ashburton, will be back in his Mustang and Paul Williams, of Christchurch, will race a new Cortina powered by a 350 cu in engine. The two Canterbury Camaro drivers who performed well in last season’s GTX series, Doug Allan and Rob Farrar, intend racing their cars in the big O.S.C.A. class this year — possibly with some modifications for more power — and Farrar will switch to an exciting new VB-powered Chevette if he finishes building it in time.

Other big-car drivers entered include John Beattie

(Christchurch, Cortina V 8) and Ross Cameron (Dunedin, Steelway Camaro). The series is shaping up as the best yet, and prize money has been boosted considerably with the introduction of low-key backing from Shell Oil (N.Z.) Ltd. Shell has decided to back O.S.C.A. — which has been without a sponsor for two seasons — because of the association’s promotion of motor-racing in the South Island and also as thanks for O.S.C.A. members’ support of the ailing Shellsport series near the end of last season. Six definite and three unconfirmed championship rounds have been arranged, with $l2OO in prize money for each round, and the series has atracted interest in the North Island, with

drivers like Brent Bullivant (Capri V 8) interested in coming south for racing.

The O.S.C.A. season will start at Ruapuna on October 16 with a non-championship round at the Gold Star meeting, and end with the final at Levels, Timaru, on April 30, 1978. Leading the 25 entries in the small-car class, for engines up to 2000 cu cm, is Trevor Crowe, of Christchurch, the defending champion. However, Crowe will have to work hard in his Datsun Coupe 1300 to keep off Barry Vuyk, of Dunedin, who has improved his Sunbeam Imp 2000 for the new season.

Bryan Hessey, of Christchurch, will make his debut in a full racing machine in a Shellsport Escort 2000 and

David Bell, of Leeston, will also race an Escort. John Dymand and Russell Haines, both from Christchurch, have built up Datsun Coupes and Austin Prattley (Christchurch) will lead the Mini brigade once again. Kevin Ryan, of Timaru, the defending champion, leads the seven entries in the 20014500 cu cm class in his smallV 8 Escort.

Dates and venues for the O.S.C.A. season are: Oct. 16, Ruapuna (non-championship); Oct. 23, Levels; Nov. 27, Levels; December 4. Ruapuna; January 29, Wigram (unconfirmed); Feb. 5, Levels (unconfirmed); March 5, Ruapuna (unconfirmed); April 16, Teretonga, Invercargill; April 23, Ruapuna: April 30, Levels (final); June 4. Teretonga (non-championship).'