Pro Helmets sponsorship

Press, 15 November 1984, Page 15

Pro Helmets sponsorship

John Crawford’s attack on the championship has been planned on a professional basis. Apart from the practical and financial assistance from Larry Mulholland and his firm BMC Transmission Services, Crawford has secured sponsorship from the Wanganui-based crash helmet manufacturers, Pro Helmets. ;

The inherent dangers oi motor racing were brought home to Crawford after a major acident while racing at Pukekohe last season, and John is pleased to have the support of Pro Helmets, as their helmets exceed even the high standards demanded by the Motorsport Association, and are the equal of any overseas-manu-factured product. John Crawford is pleased

also that the Christchurch firm, Car Radio Specialists, has decided to continue their long association with the team.

Other companies to be associated with the effort are Shell Oil, who will supply the fuel and lubricants, Smiths Regrinds, who carry out the machining work on the engines, Brake and Clutch Services, who supply the expertise in the field of brakes, and Palmer and Doak, who provide the quality Ford engine parts. Continuing the safety theme, Flamecrusher products will make sure that John is kitted out with the best fire-resistant clothing available.

Although the team’s attack on the New Zealand

championship was planned down to the last detail, shipping delays meant that the Reynard did not arrive in the team’s workshops until October 31. With the first race for the car marked down for Ruapuna on November 11, the team faced a difficult task to repair the frontal damage and carry out the other preparation work needed to turn the bits and pieces into a fully assembled competitive racing car. To achieve this major task, co-operation was needed from several sources, and Crawford is grateful to Prebble Fibreglass for completing the moulds in double-quick time, M. G. Coulbecks for doing the panel work, Canterbury Radiators for manufacturing the high performance radiators which were needed to suit New Zealand’s warmer climate, and Barber Engineering. , When this work was finished, Cumming Car Painters transformed the original drab colour scheme into its present smart red livery. To help go with the team’s professional image, the team will be supplied with a tent and trailer covers by courtesy of Kolorful Kanvas.

After much midnight oil had been burnt, the new car turned a wheel for the first time on November 10, ten days after its arrival. The job had been completed in extra quick time, a credit to Crawford, Mulholland and Steve Conman, John’s dedicated friend and crew member.