Moreno for N.Z. series

Press, 10 November 1981, Page 48

Moreno for N.Z. series

By <

JOHN FRIDD

Roberto Moreno, the young Brazilian who stunningly won the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday, will race in the New Zealand Aurora Formula Pacific series in January.

Moreno, a protege and compatriot of Nelson Piquet, the new world driving champion, beat Piquet in the Grand Prix by more than a lap, although both drivers were in the same Ralt RT4s and using the same tyres, which gives an indication of how good Moreno is.

Graham Watson, a former New Zealander now living in Australia, will team up with Moreno for the New Zealand series, which includes the Lady Wigram Trophy meeting at Wigram airbase on

January 24. Both will drive Ralt RT4s. Tough opposition for this pair will come from Ray Mallock (England), who has proved virtually unbeatable in this year’s British Formula Atlantic (Pacific) championship in a Ralt. Three top Australian Ralt RT4 drivers, Bruce Allison, John Smith and Andrew Miedecke, are also definite starters for the New Zealand series. Mike Rosen, of the United States, is a strong possibility in a Ralt and two more Americans, Tom Phillips and Willy T. Ribbs, may appear in a two-car March team. A number of other Australians may also cross the Tasman for the series, as Formula Pacific is gaining a strong foothold in Australia in its first full-status season.