Fireworks at sidecar clash

Press, 11 December 1981, Page 10

Fireworks at sidecar clash

By

ALISTAIR ARMSTRONG

A $3OOO firework display, skydivers, marching girls, miniature motorcycles and a visit from Father Christmas will set the scene as Canterbury sidecar racers take on Invercargill riders in the annual “grudge” match at Ruapuna Park tomorrow. A Christmas carnival programme of centre-stadium entertainment has been lined up to add to what will be a sidecar and midget special on the Lucas Batteries-spon-sored track.

Canterbury’s four-year hold on the Turner Trophy inter-provincial sidecar championship could easily slip this time. Invercargill has an experienced crew which has three of the top six three-wheelers in New Zealand in its ranks.

Brian Reed, Fraser Gillespie and Russell Cunningham will be backed-up by Alf Webb, Chris Williams and “Mad” Dave Rubber.

Reed, a top place-getter at national championships, will be carrying Peter Blick in the chair, while Gillespie, a regular representative for the southerners, will be partnered by his brother, Andy.

Cunningham is fresh from an Australian visit which included a winning ride with the New Zealand sidecar champion, Bruce Turner, in the North Queensland pairs championship in September.

Rubber, in only his second season of racing, has a reputation for whipping his machine up to hair-raising speeds.

Williams, with Mark Rosie in support, will be making his return to Ruapuna after a crash on the track last year which left him paralysed below the waist.

Canterbury will be without Turner, the cornerstone of its previous efforts. The 32-year-old Christchurch man is touring Australian circuits, but his in-form younger brother, Wayne, should easily fill the gapWayne Turner’s aggressive riding tactics have already

earned him a hatful of wins this season.

Alister Mitchell, who has been racing for just two seasons, will also be a threat to the visitors. Mitchell has won four of his last six races, finishing second and third respectively in the other two. Others in the home side are the experienced Howard Jones, with his swinger, Craig Hooper, plus Colin Aitchison, Allan Rodgers and John Sullivan.

The contest consists of four preliminary races and two final run-offs for the top three and bottom three points-scorers from each sixman team respectively. Points are awarded six-to-one according to placings in each race.

Midget racing will also be

in the limelight with a special “American-style” two-by-four match series for Canterbury’s top four VW drivers. Mark Williams and Norrie Chandler will line up against Rod Robinson and the Canterbury champion, Allan Palmer, in two fourlap races. The driver will reform to start the second race immediately after the first.

Father Christmas will be falling from the sky with a group of Christchurch skydivers and with the help of a troupe of clowns, handing lollies to the younger speedway. fans. Miniature motorcycles and marching girls from Canterbury's top club, Newmans Acme Pioneers, will be followed by a firework extravaganza.