Wigram N.Z.’s fastest track

Press, 20 January 1982, Page 13

Wigram N.Z.’s fastest track

Today the runways at Wigrani Airbase are being used, as usual, to train young airmen but on Friday" hundreds of man-hours, plus many truckloads of 'scraper tyres, concrete slabs and other equipment, will transform them into this country's fastest motor-rac-ing track. The transformation happens every year, despite the rumblings each time that “this will be the last Wigram.’' as each meeting attracts just enough spectators to merit holding another, and the enthusiasts oh the organising committee cannot bear to end the fam-

ous Lady Wigram Trophy meeting. This is all good news to the drivers, as they love the ultra-fast airfield circuit, with its scary high-speed corners and safe run-off areas. Once again the Lady Wigram meeting is the final in the four-round Aurora AFX formula Pacific series. Last years championship was won by David Oxton. of Auckland, but this years seems to belong to the young Brazilian, Roberto Moreno. He won both heats at the opening round at Bay Park (Tauranga), took a first and a second when winning the New Zealand Grand Prix at Pukekohe, then won the first heat at Manfeild last weekend before sliding off the track in the second heat,

Articles: JOHN FRIDD Photos:

DAVID ALEXANDER

letting Oxton through to over-all victory in the round. Oxton won the Lady Wigram Trophy last year, so looks a sure bet to give Moreno a hurry-up this week-end in his quick Pye Ralt RT4. Moreno will have only one practice day, Saturday, in which to get used to the Wigram circuit and gel his car set up properly. One thing in his favour is that he is used to driving groundeffects cars — his KB Beer Ralt RT4 has special sidepods which suck the car down on to the track, as have the other RT4s - and this will be particularly telling

on the fast corners, one of which. Bomb Bay, the top drivers take at about 224 km/ h (139m.p.h.). Another Aucklander. Steve Millen (Tullen Ralt RT4), is probably the only other driver with any chance of over-all victory’ at Wigram. but there will be a large American, Australian and New Zealand drivers all eager to prove wrong this theory. From the United States comes Mike' Rosen (Rentokil Ralt RT4). John David Briggs (March 81A) and Peter Greenfield (in Dave McMillan’s spare Ralt RT4). Rosen performed well at Bay Park before falling off a little at the next two rounds, but the experience gained in the three rounds could stand him in good stead for Wigram. The Australian contingent includes Graham Watson (Ralt RT4). Robert Handford (Ralt RT4) and Ron Barnacle (Ralt RTI). Watson also started well at Bay Park before dropping off, while Handford has been getting better all the time, taking two surprise thirds at Man-

feild last week-end. Barnacle will make his first appearance in the series at Wigram. Oxton and Millen lead the New Zealand contingent, but another veteran Kiwi, Dave McMillan, should not be discounted. McMillan has the disadvantage of using an experimental Datsun motor, flown out from Japan only last week, but if he has it going sweetly in his Citizen Ralt RTI could take yet another Wigram victory. Ken Smith is always good for a minor place in his ageing ex-Teo Fabi March 798. and the next best New Zealanders are expected to be Eric Morgan (CRC Ralt RTI) and Grant Campbell (Chevron 839).

Other New Zealanders include the colourful Wellingtonian, Tom Donovan (Odlins March Special), Robbie Hislop (Auckland, March 748), Steve Cameron (Auckland. Cuda), Robyn Irving (Auckland, Modus) "and Bryan Hartley (Palmerston North, Chevron 834). along with two Dunedin drivers, Chris Read and Ross Cameron, who are expected to take in the final round at Wigram.