Wigram format revamp

Press, 5 December 1986, Page 29

Wigram format revamp

By

JOHN HAWKINS

A revamped format for the Wigram motor-race meeting in January has been announced by the organising Motor Racing Club’s president, Mr Donald McKay. Although the two Formula Pacific races, which will include the Lady Wigram trophy race, have been retained, a highlight of the programme will be a tworace sport sedan test match between Australia and New Zealand. The test will consist of two eight-lap heats contested by six-car teams representing each country, the winning team being decided by total points accumulated. A prize fund of $lO,OOO, s6ooo for the winner and >s4ooo for the loser, has

been underwritten by six Christchurch businessmen. The Australian teams’ appearance will be exclusive to the Wigram meeting. Mr McKay said that the Australian drivers approached had shown a great deal of enthusiasm for the concept. The Australian team seems likely to include Melbourne’s Rusty French, with potent Porsche 935 turbo, and the Sydney drivers, Laurie Attard and Bill Attard, and Bob Tindall, as well as two others yet to be decided. Although North Island drivers will be invited to drive, the top O.S.C.A. drivers will probably take the majority of

places in the New Zealand team. Mr McKay said: “The club felt the need to try something new after the disappointing Formula Pacific fields in recent years.” The Wigram meeting has inevitably suffered from drop-outs caused by financial and mechanical attrition, being the last round in a four-meeting series. In spite of the increased emphasis on saloons, a competitive field of single-seaters is expected for the trophy race. Early indications are that the black American driver, Willy T. Ribbs, will star along with Davy Jones and the Australians, Graham Watson, Bob Creasy and Ross Zampatti.