Sprintcar champion confident

Press, 27 November 1982, Page 24

Sprintcar champion confident

By

ALISTAIR ARMSTRONG

The prospect of defending the South Island sprintcar championship at his first competitive outing of the season does not worry Christchurch's Roger Gleeson. Gleeson, who won last seasons event in Cromwell, has had only one practice run leading up to this year's competition at the Ruapuna Park Speedway this evening. But the trial run at Ruapuna on Wednesday was enough to convince the 38-year-old butcher that he and his modified 302 cu cm VB- - machine are in good shape for the challenge. “The motor wants a few more laps'on it really but we push-started it first time so I’m very pleased.”' he said. “The others (rival competitors) have had three nights of competition and three practices so obviously they will be at an advantage because they have had time to dial their cars in. but if it’s not hard, it's not worth it." Gleeson has delayed his return to the racing scene this season partly as a result of his feelings about the running of the New Zealand championship at Ruapuna earlier this year. He was demoted from first to third place in the event for a technical infringement in the. deciding heat. He has spent much time since trying to overturn that decision. An appeal to the sport's governing body, the Auto Cycling Union, was rejected, but acting on legal advice he has had a letter seeking a rehearing of the matter sent to the A.C.U. for consideration at its executive meeting in Wellington this week-end. If that fails, he may still take the issue to court. In the meantime, Gleeson’s record at previous South Island championships and at

the Ruapuna track will be enough to ensure him favouritism this time. He is the only driver to have won the Island title more than once — he won the event on two previous occasions at Ruapuna — and he holds five speed records at the track, including the joint-best lap time for any car or motorcycle. He shares the latter distinction with the motorcycle great. Ivan Mauger. Gleeson's main rival today will be the ip-form New Zealand champion. Selwyn Everett. Everett has won several races at Ruapuna in recent weeks and has im-pressed-‘observers with his skill at overcoming a starter’s handicap to finish with at least a major placing. Others who seem likely to be among the front-runners are Butch Salter and Wayne Pierson. Pierson and Salter have each won races this season. The championshp will be run in three heats with the title awarded to the driver with the best aggregate of points. Meanwhile, the Canterbury Sportsman and Stock Car championships will be held at Woodford Glen this evening. The defending Sportsman champion and track lap re-cord-holder, Mike Allan, will face a stern challenge from a class newcomer, Joe Annan. Annan has scored more victories than the champion in recent weeks, but his times have yet to approach those recorded by Allan last season. After his solid showing at last week’s meeting, the defending Stock Car champion, Gerald Griffiths, looks capable of retaining his title. The in-form Terry Hern could be the main threat to Griffiths.