Canadian relegated in Tasman Cup

Press, 9 February 1983, Page 27

Canadian relegated in Tasman Cup

N’ZI’A Melbourne The diminutive Canadian, Allen Berg, won the final round of the Tasman Cup series for formula Mondial (Pacific) cars at Calder only to be relegated to second place .for jumping the start of the 100-lap race. ' Victory was provisionally awarded’ to 'Queensland's Charlie O'Brien who was about 44 seconds—more than one lap—behind Berg when the chequered flag was waved.

The race lost much of its spectacle as the high temperatures sidelined many competitors and some wild driving eliminated others. ■

Alfredo Costanzo took the lead from pole position when the race started, with Berg moving into second place ahead of Hubert Phipps. (U.S.) Lucio Cesario. (Australia) who had made a slow start from the front of the grid, and O'Brien and Mike Rosen (U.S.).

On lap four. Cesario passed Phipps to take third place but two laps later the two cars touched and spun off the track as Phipps tried to regain the position. As both drivers scrambled back onto the track Richard Davison's Ralt cannoned into the rear of Phipps's car, sending it high into the air. Fortunately it stayed upright, but Phipps was forced out of the race while Davison continued.

Costanzo pulled out a halfsecond lead over Berg in the first nine laps but the effort had overheated his engine and the head gasket failed on lap 10. forcing Costanzo to retire. Berg then held a 5s lead over O'Brien, who had profited from the Cesario-Phipps fracas, while Cesario had recovered to third place. A third American, Nbrm Hunter, was gaining on Cesario and both cars went off the track on lap 15 when Hunter tried to force his way past. This elevated Davison to third.

On lap 14 Berg was notified by signals of his 1 minute, penalty for jumping the start and the game little Canadian then set about pulling out a 1 minute lead over the rest of the field to cancel out the penalty. Davison’s good run came to an end when his engine blew up on lap 29 and he said afterwards that this would probably finish his driving career, as he has no money left. His withdrawal put Phillip Revell's Ralt into third place but Hunter, who has resumed after his bumping match with Cesario, moved past Revell on Jap 33. The Sydney driver’s clutch failed before half distance.

Berg won the Just Juice Formula Mondial series in New Zealand before going to Australia.