N.Z. hopes on Riley

Press, 25 January 1979, Page 19

N.Z. hopes on Riley

In the 1960 s and early 1970 s New Zealanders were used to reading about their countrymen winning world-champion-ship races and being right at the top of the world motor-racing tree, but since Chris Amon retired in 1974 the silver fern has disappeared from the scene.

One young man eager to emulate the feats of his illustrious countrymen. Bruce McLaren, Denis Hulme and Amon, is Brett Riley, who on Sunday will bid to win the 1979 New Zealand international Formula Pacific series.

Riley has been prominent in European Formula Three racing since he lasi came to New Zealand a year ago. After campaigning an uncompetitive Ehrlich early in the season he secured a drive with the big-budget Unipart team Although Riley was not completely happy with the performance of his March 783, powered by a Triumph Dolomite motor, he feels that the car is coming right and he should be a top contender for the European title next season. He also hopes to drive in some Formula Two races if he can raise the money for a private drive.

The young New Zealander, now based in London, is trying to be consistent above all else in

this year's New Zealand senes, and he has certain ly achieved this, regularly running third behind fabi and Perkins, and picking up the odd second place when one of those two drops out. But although he finished only half a second behind Perkins m the second Teretonga race and recorded the fastest lap of the race he has not looked

capable of beating either man. 1 he driver who has established himself as fourth fastest in the series is die Aucklander. Dave McMillan, who has overcome a terrible start to the series in his Citizen Nashua Ralt. McMillan has consistently beaten three top overseas drivers, John Smith (Australia. Ralt), Jeff Wood (United States, March 78B) and Eje Elgh (Sweden, March

. in The last tour race* Roth Wood and I l::h < amc to New Zealand with good reputations and may have harmed these with their mediocre showing* Wood proved that he can run with drivers like Keke Rosberg in the Canadian l.abatt series last sear but has only just started getting used to the shorter races and hardercompound tyres used in the New Zealand series. high ha* had some promising successes in British Formula Three and European Formula Two hut ha* never looked likely to threaten the lead er* in New Zealand in hi-, modern March Smith has shown good form at times hut <annot siring a whole tace together. possibly the re*uli of ihe short Pacific races run in Australia at present Smith is no slug evidenced by the fact that he broke Warwick Brown's outright lap record, sei in a 15000 < ai. ai I akesidc. Queensland, in hi* 1600 <u cm Pacific car last year Steve Millen (Auckland Martini Hertz Chevron 842 i lias failed tn live up to his early-series prom ise. and the national champion. Ross Stone (Molorgard Cuda). ha* never really had his experimental car running smoothly, and is well down the point* table.