‘New look’ planned for Formula Pacific

Press, 24 April 1986, Page 29

‘New look’ planned for Formula Pacific

By

PETER GREENSLADE

Although there are probably enough Formula Pacific single-seater racing cars in New Zealand to fill a 24-car racing grid, the category, once regarded as New Zealand motor sport’s premier racing formula, has been pushed into the background by mushrooming interest in Group A saloon racing, for which a FlSArecognised world series will be instituted next year. The first race in the Group A World Championship will take place on the Wellington waterfront street circuit towards the end of January 1987. The programme will also include a race for Formula Pacific racers, as there was this year, but it will have much greater status in 1987 because it is probable that it will be one race in a nine-round race series. Although the established Formula Pacific international race promoters have yet to make an announcement about a “new look” Formula Pacific series, it seems probable that two independent promoters will be re-

sponsible for two rounds. One of these will be West Nally, the international organisation behind the Nissan Mobil Group A races at Wellington and Pukekohe. The traditional promoters of the international races at Bay Park, Mount Maunganui, the New Zealnad Grand Prix at Pukekohe, Manfeild at Feilding, and the Lady Wigram Trophy at Christchurch, will be responsible for four rounds. That leaves another three rounds and it is understood they may be backed by Global Promotions, an organisation similar to West Nally. Details of the nineround series have yet to be fleshed out, but one of the more interesting features appears to be that Global Promotions (if it is actually the promoter) will, like West Nally, ensure that its three races are televised. The situation regarding the traditional four international promoters is unclear at this stage. Part of their problem could be a matter of guaranteeing a suitable fee to Television New Zealand. In any event, with the

prospect of five Formula Pacific international races being televised, the hopes of entrants or competitors for sponsorship in the series should be much greater than they have been when, for more years than Formula Pacific interests would care to remember, live television coverage has. been retricted to the New Zealand Grand Prix. All in all, and always assuming that Formula Pacific plans for the coming motor racing season come to fruition, the prospects for single-seat motor racing look rosier than has been the case for many a year. Footnote: It seems likely that the Malaysian Grand Prix for Formula Pacific racers will be revived this year. Rothmans Malaysia is apparently anxious to see motor racing on an international footing once more and has approached New Zealand interests who, in turn, have guaranteed at least 10 New Zealand and Australian entrants if the Malaysian Grand Prix is given the go-ahead. It is likely that at least one South Island driver will be in the group.