Griffiths takes title

Press, 8 March 1978, Page 20

Griffiths takes title

Gerald Griffiths took another title at the Black and White Speedway, Woodford Glen, on Saturday when he won the Go-Cola stock-car championship.

He gained two firsts and a second in the three championship heats. The first heat won won by Maurie Briggs, who led from the second lap. Griffiths worked his way through the field from the rear, into second by the seventh lap. Five laps remained but Briggs increased his lead and Griffiths crossed the line about 10m behind him. Only five cars finished the 12 laps of the second heat. Griffiths led from the start. Mike Coutts almost passed Griffiths in the final lap, but Griffiths stayed ahead. Griffiths again forced his way through the field from the rear of the grid into first place by the fourth lap in the third heat. Briggs, who had taken the lead in the second lap, spun on the

north bend a lap later and had to retire. The top five drivers of the meeting will go to Wellington next week to compete against North Island drivers. They are: G. Griffiths (29 points). B. Annan (24). M. Coutts (21), W. Wilding (15) and W. Atkins (14). Results: — S.T.L. B grade saloons (eight laps): G. Foster (Triumph 2000) 1, A. Dingwall (Cortina 6) 2, L. Richards (A4O Farina) 3. Tommy’s Yamaha B grade saloons (eight laps): A. Dingwall 1, A. McClure (Mk II Zephyr) 2, G. Foster 3. Kelford Cams B grade saloons (eight laps): A. Bradley (Ford Fairlane) 1, A. Dingwell 2, A. McClure 3. Go-Cola regional stock-car final (12 laps).—Heat one: M. Briggs (VW/Ford V 8) 1, G. Griffiths (A3O/Chev. V 8) 2, W. Wilding (Imp/Valiant) 3. Heat two: Griffiths 1, M. Coutts (A3O/ Valiant) 2, B. Annan (Imp/Chevy ID 3. Heat three: Griffiths 1, Annan 2, Coutts 3.

Wales Bank A grade salooni (eight laps): T. Cardwell 1, J, Berryman (Ford Falcon) 2, R. James 3.

P.D.L. A grade saloons (eight laps): T. Cardwell (Mustang) 1, R. James (XL'l Torana) 2. D. Sangster (Holden V 8) 3. Firestone invitation saloon-cai feature (12 laps): T. Cardwell I D. Smith 2, A. Bradley 3. Black and White stock-car fea, ture (six laps): M. Coutts 1, B, Annan 2. M. Briggs 3. Hardtrack fender bender team, challenge, North Island v. South Island: Leo Leonard 1, Dave Baker 2. Kevin McNamara 3. New Brighton Contractors super stocks (four laps): N. Bell 1, R. Warnock 2, P. Williams 3, Road Lines super stocks 'foul laps): R. Warnock iCapri/Chev, V 8) 1. A. Inns (A3O/Chev. V 8) 2, N. Bell (Ford/Torana) 3. Hubprint fender bender (eight laps): W. Smith 1, R. Warnock 2, J. Wain 3. TV2 fender bender (eight laps): R. Warnock 1, W. Smith 2, J, Martin 3.