Cheever returning for Mondial series

Press, 18 December 1985, Page 44

Cheever returning for Mondial series

by

JOHN HAWKINS

Last year’s winner, Ross Cheever, heads an impressive list of drivers who will contest this season’s fourround international Formula Mondial series, which begins at Bay Park on December 29. The last series was notable for the performances of two young Americans, Cheever and Davy Jones. Jones has now moved on to IMSA racing in the United States and Cheever will return as number one driver from Graham Watson’s twocar John Brandon Halt team.

Cheever’s speed impressed many during last season’s series, although his frequent off-track excursions aroused some fear for his safety. With a further season of British Formula three racing behind him, Cheever should return to New Zealand as a more complete driver and must be favoured to retain his title. Watson’s second driver will be another American, Jeff MacPherson. Last season MacPherson, with inferior equipment, struggled to match Cheever and Jones, but in one of Watson’s latest model Ralts he will have a chance to prove his worth against international opposition. With the increasingly busy off-season in Europe and with drivers testing cars in preparation for the new season’s racing, it appears that New Zealand must look to the United States to provide drivers for its international singleseater series.

Last year, MacPherson expressed delight with the racing and the hospitality he received in New Zealand. He promised to return with more of his compatriots and this time three of America’s

most promising road-racing prospects will contest the series.

The Bren brothers, Steve and Cary, have been tipped to contest next year’s international Formula 3000 series and they will bring three Ralt RT4s to New Zealand to further their experience. Ted Prappas, who is highly regarded in American Super Vee racing, having defeated the likes of Davy Jones, will also contest the series.

The strong New Zealand contingent will be led as usual by the remarkable Auckland veteran, Ken Smith. Smith’s ability to turn in competitive performances year after year, especially considering his lack of racing during the off-season, has surprised many professional drivers from overseas.

Smith will be supported by such experienced New Zealanders as Dave McMillan and Brett Riley, while the promising youngsters, John Crawford and Paul Radisich, will be keen to

impress. The final round of the? series will be held atjs Wigram on January 19, and the president of the organising body, the Motor Racing Club, Mr Donald McKay, is confident that with further late entries expected, the field for the trophy race, will be the biggest for some time. '

A major disappointment for the club, and for motor sport enthusiasts, has been the late withdrawal of support from . the Group A touring car race by the ANZ Bank. The race will still go ahead and the club has also suffered by being allocated a date the week before the prestigous Nissan Mobil Wellington street race. Many prospective entrants are expected to give the Wigram race a miss to prepare for the Wellington event.

The Wigram touring car race will provide the first chance for South Island enthusiasts to see the Archibald’s BMW of Trevor Crowe under racing conditions. Mr McKay is hopeful that a representative field will contest the event

Early indications are that Crowe’s closest competition could come from the Pinepac Mustang of the Auck-. lander, Bruce Anderson, while other entries are likely to include the Jaguar XJS of Alan Prince or Mike Hourigan and the . Holden Commodore of Rod Collingwood. '*

The club has been encouraged by the response for the Quinns Fashion ladies race and a good fieldof ears and drivers from throughout the country is expected. 3? •£