Mr Lange to race in Chch

Press, 13 January 1987, Page 11

Mr Lange to race in Chch

Christchurch motor-racing fans will have an opportunity to assess the form of motor sport’s newest recruit, the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, at the Lady Wigram Trophy meeting this weekend.

. The Prime Minister, who has already raced steadily, if rather ineffectuaUy, in the Ford Laser TX3i championship rounds at Pukekohe and Manfeild, will contest another two rounds on the very fast aerodrome circuit and, what is more, practice for them before the public in Saturday’s qualifying sessions.

At the other meetings he had done his circuit training in private, saying that normal business precluded him from attending and practising at the normal sessions.

In his four race starts to date, Mr Lange has trailed the Laser fields on each occasion except at Manfeild last Sunday. In his first race he headed off another tyro, the > Aucklander, Andrew Matter, to finish second to

However, Maher turned the tables in the second race, finishing seventh, three places ahead of the Prime Minister, who reverted to form and finished last once again. For his flrst racing outing at Pukekohe, Mr Lange had a second car on hand, in case he encountered trouble in his race car.

However, according to a Ford New .Zealand, Ltd, spokesman, the Prime Minister proved himself competent enough to see out a meeting with one car. He had no reserve at Manfeild, nor will he have at Wigram. The spokesman was unable to say whether Mr Lange proposed to persist in his new-found sporting activity. “Let’s say at this stage that motor racing is purely summer-time rest and recreation, as far as Mr Lange is concerned. I certainly don’t know otherwise,” he said. a* .