Thrilling action seen in first race at Wigram

Press, 25 January 1979, Page 21

Thrilling action seen in first race at Wigram

The drivers in the Lady Wigram Trophy races on Sunday will obviously not have time to munch on apples as they drive — as one early Wigram driver, George Smith, used to do — but he racing back in Wigram's early days was still very willing. There were no overseas stars in the field of 22 fur the first Wigram race, in 1949, but it was still exciting, with the lead

changing several times as New Zealand’s top drivers battled with their cars and each other in the first New Zealand championship road race. The first race, which was 105 miles long, was eventually won by Morrie Proctor (Wellington) in his potent little Brooklands Riley at an average speed of 6,5.67 m.p.h. The early battle was between Ron Roycroft (Auckland, turbocharged Austin Duck) and Hec Green (Christchurch, Wolseley Special), and the crowd, estimated at between 20,000 to 30,000, was entertained by some fine driving.

‘The Press” report of the race said: “The most spectacular feature of a thrilling race was the duel for lap after lap between R. J. Roycroft in the tiny blue Austin and H. Green in the red Wolseley Special. Down the straights they raced wheel to wheel, and at the corners they jockeyed for position, first one then the other taking the lead. It was brilliant driving by both men, and the crowd showed its appreciation.”

Green led far 11 of the 50 laps and Roycroft for six, but then both the cars developed engine problems and had to pull into the pits for repairs. Frank Bennett (Christchurch) took over the lead in his Invicta, but his brakes failed and he was being hauled in by two drivers, Proctor and Don R a nsl e y Christchurch, (Ransley Riley 6/15). Ransley lost, his chance to win when he had a horrific spin on Hangar Bend and then had to pit with a worn-out front tyre. He had started the race on brand-new Dunlops but this one was worn right down to the canvas.

Proctor soon wiped out Bennett’s two-lap lead and had closed fight up on the big four litre and a half Le Mans Invicta, which was capable of 120 m.p.h. and had set fastest time in

practice, but was very difficult to manage without brakes.

Proctor sped past Bennett to win by 26 seconds and Ransley, after a 40second pit-stop for a new tyre, came home third, 14 seconds behind bennett.

Mrs Sybil Lupp, of Dunedin, the only woman in the race, received a special mention for the fine style she showed in her M.G. Mrs Lupp finished fifth, behind Green and ahead of Roycroft.

Roycroft took handicap honours, ahead of Proctor. Many of the 24 starters in the first race will be seen again at Wigram at the week-end, i'n the classic cars parade.

Proctor’s Brooklands Riley will take pride of place. The car is now owned by Lindsay Wogan and develops 85 h.p. from its 1089 cu cm four-cylin-der motor. The Ransley Riley, now owned by Bruce Winder, will also appear, and will probably be driven at the week-end by its old owner, Don Ransley. The Riley has softer suspension than the Brooklands Riley, and is less powerful, in spite of its 1760 cu cm motor.

Hec Green will also feature in Sunday's parade, dirving the last car he built, and another driver in the first Wigram race, Sybil Lupp (Dunedin), will drive an M.G.T.F., now owned by Peter Croft. Ron Roycroft will drive Gavin Bain’s 1953 Ferrari Mille Miglia. Roycroft eventually won at Wigram in 1953", in an Alfa Romeo.

The lale George Smith’s famous old “Gee Cee Ess”

special will also appear, driven by Donald Suckling. The car is now owned by Bill Clark, and was second in the 1951 race.

A car that will be remembered by many people is the 1960 Lotus 208 that was brought to New Zealand by Jim Palmer and raced by him on most New Zealand circuits in 1962/63. The car then saw many more races in the hands of several drivers. The Lotus will be driven at Wigram by its present

owner, Chris Read, of Dunedin. Another exciting example of that era which will appear at Wigram this year is the Cooper Climax in which Jack Brabham won the 1960 race. The Cooper will be driven by Lyn Neilson Dunedin. These cars will be joined on Saturday by a number of other classic cars for a race, in which some of the excitement of the early Wigram races should be recaptured.