Chch driver seeks finance

Press, 15 October 1986, Page 56

Chch driver seeks finance

By

JOHN HAWKINS

The Christchurch racing driver, John Crawford, returned from Britain this week quietly determined to find enough money to continue his promising motor-sport career.

Crawford spent the Northern Hemisphere summer running a Formula Ford team for a promising young British driver, Stephen Robertson, in the top English championship series.

Although Crawford, a former New Zealand Formula Ford champion, has hopes of continuing his single-seater career, the weak state of the open-wheel branch of the sport in New Zealand means that he may have to seek a Group A saloon drive to further his aspirations. After an abortive attempt at running his own car on a restricted budget during last January’s Formula Pacific series, Crawford turned in an impressive performance on the Wellington street circuit behind the wheel of an up-to-date Ralt. The Ralt was run by the professional Dave White team.

White is keen to run Crawford alongside an American driver in the forthcoming international series providing he can find the necessary finance.

After a frustrating British season working on racing cars instead of driving them, Crawford is as keen as ever to resume driving. However, he is adamant that if he is to race again it must be with a professionally run team and with the backing to do the job properly.