Crowe top S.I. seed

Press, 12 September 1980, Page 11

Crowe top S.I. seed

A strong contingent of South Island drivers is entered for the 19S0 Motogard, and although none has a real chance of taking over-all honours there is bound to be some fierce rivalry with the top North Islanders in the various, classes.

Trevor Crowe, of Christchurch, is the highestseeded South Islander, starting at No. 17 in his Muffler Services 3ZM Escort RS. Crowe has just installed a 260 b.h.p. motor in his car and could surprise even some of the top overseas men.

Carl Rabbidge, of Timaru, will be flagged away in twenty-first spot in his Escort RS2OOO and four places behind him will be Nelson’s Dave Parkes, who is the top seed in his class in his M.S. Motors Escort 1600 Sport. Parkes is always extremely quick and con-

sistent on long events. Another Nelson driver, Richard Hunt, starts at No. 29 in his Group Two Escort RSIBOO and he should have a tough class battle with John Sergei, of Christchurch (Motor Reconditioners Escort RS 1800). Sergei is another top contender on long events. Ross Here, of Nelson, will carry No. 37 on his Mazda RX3. Hore is the top South Island seed in the special Pacific class, for cars which • do not comply with the strict world rally championship specifications. Other top South Islanders in die Pacific class include Leo Leonard (Timaru). at 52 in an interesting LPGpowered Toyota Corona, and Rob Gerard, of Christchurch, in another Mazda RX3 (No. 87). The two New Zealand members of the Datsun

160 J team, Bobb Robb (Timaru) and Blil Sutherland (Waikaka), will start at seedings 46 and 50 respectively.

T w o Christchurch drivers with relatively low seedings who couid show out are Brian Walker (Walker Ladders Escort RS) and Ken McDonald (Deanes Flame Safe Escort RS).

Other Christchurch drivers in the event include Brent Rawstron (Mazda, No. 59). Ernie Richardson (Escort 1600, No. 63), Ross Jeffrey (Escort RS2OGO, No. 64), Geoff Owen (Escort RS2OOO, No. 65), John Foxton (Datsun 1200, No. 72). Allan Jones (Mazda RX3, No. 73). Bruce Cochrane (Escort 1600, No. 74), Dennis O’Brien (Datsun 120 Y. No. 75), Tony Wornall (Escort 1300, No. 84) and Tony Morris (Escort RS2OOO, No. 86.)