Fisher continues to run hot in Capri

Press, 10 November 1986, Page 21

Fisher continues to run hot in Capri

By

JOHN HAWKINS

John Fisher continued his recent winning streak with two convincing victories in the Total Cover O.S.C.A. championship races at Ruapuna yesterday. John Osborne's Mazda RX7 Chev got the jump at the start of the first O.S.C.A. event, but the in-form John Fisher (Capri Chev) cut through to hit the front as the field emerged from the hairpin. Osborne meanwhile had been pushed wide in the scuffle. lan Munt’s similar Capri was in second place as they crossed the line at the end of the first lap and challenged Fisher over the opening laps.

Fisher almost lost control of his car on the tight infield section on lap two, having a wild moment, in which Munt did well to avoid hitting Fishers car. On the third lap, Osborne was through to second, passing Munt with a burst of power on the short back straight. Osborne moved in to chai-

lenge Fisher but appeared to lack the outright power to pass. On lap five Osborne was in trouble when axle damage incurred in the first corner melee caused him to slow and drop to third behind Fisher and Munt. Further back, Mike Johnston’s Escort took the fourlitre class after an initial tussle with John Harcourt while Eric Johnston continued his domination of the two-litre class in his Avenger. In the second event, Fisher led all the way from Munt while Osborne’s troubled Mazda spun to a halt at middistance! Further back another battle between Mike Johnston and Harcourt was resolved in Harcourt’s favour when Johnston slowed with gearbox problems. Said Fisher on his recent success: “It is the end result of the past two seasons of hard work on the car. Paul Kirk has put in a lot of work on the rear end of the car, which has improved the traction tremendously out of the corners, and we have reliable power from our new engine.”

The Mini 7 champion, Steve Jones, was in form, winning both scratch races for the class. At the start of the first heat the cars of Dave Mitchell and Doug Sims touched as they left the grid, leaving Mitchell’s car sideways across the track. Jones meanwhile gradually pulled clear of Alan Milligan while the relative newcomer, Jeff Brooks, held a good third placing. Results.— Total Cover 0.5.C.A.: Race 1: J. Fisher (Capri Chev), 1; I. Munt (Capri Chev), 2; J. Osborne (Mazda Chev), 3. Race 2: Fisher, 1; Munt, 2; J. Harcourt (Escort V 8) 3. Race 3 (Handicap): Fisher, 1; Munt, 2; D. Robertson (Avenger) 3.

L.K. Mechanical Mini 7: Race 1: S. Jones, 1; A. Milligan, 2; G. Brewer, 3. Race 2: Jones, 1; W. Collins, 2; P. Black, 3. Race 3: (reverse grid) J. Hamilton, 1; Milligan, 2; G. Ransley, 3.

Ace Hire Formula Ford: Race 1: P. Larsen (Van Dieman), 1; W. MacLachlan (Van Dieman), 2; C. Hyde (G.L.H.), 3. Race 2: MacLachlan, 1; Hyde, 2; D. Elvy (Sports 2000), 3. Race 3 (reverse grid): MacLachlan, 1; Larsen, 2; Hyde, 3. South Island Production Saloons: Race 1: F. Ryan (Cordia), 1; N. Agass (Cordia), 2; B. McFarlane (Cordia), 3. Race 2: McFarlane, 1; Agass, 2; Ryan, 3. Race 3: Ryan, 1; W. Murdoch (Corolla), 2; Agass, 3.

Pre 65 Saloons: Race 1: J. Little (Chrysler Valiant), 1; W. Good (Anglia), 2; M. Leonard (Cortina), 3. Race 2: Good, 1; B. Driver (Holden EH), 2; Little, 3. Race 3 (handicap): S.. Foster (Falcon), 1; Little, 2; T. Jeffs (Cortina) 3. Handy Hire Street Saloons: Race 1: D. Samson (Viva V 8), 1; R. Toshach (Lotus 7), 2; D. Kirk (Avenger), 3. Race 2 (reverse grid): Samson, 1; T. Rutherford (Chevette), 2; Kirk, 3. Race 3: (reverse grid) Toshach, 1; A. Inns (Anglia), 2; Samson, 3.