S.I. drivers prove too strong for N.I.

Press, 9 March 1987, Page 27

S.I. drivers prove too strong for N.I.

By

JOHN HAWKINS

The South Island's OSCA drivers proved too strong for their. North Island sports sedan counterparts at Ruapuna yesterday, with Christchurch’s Rob Kennard being in dominant form. Kennard steered his immaculate Ford V 8 engined Cortina to two comfortable wins in the inter-island challenge heats, setting a pace which saw most of his opposition wilt The first heat turned Into a chapter of disasters for the North Island’s top rated driver, Brett Willis, of Rotorua, whose Commodore' Chev was late arriving on the grid after gear selection problems. With Kennard leading away at the start, Willis was in trouble on lap 2 when he was nudged into a half-spin on the tight infield section by Christchurch’s lan Munt.

Steve Vigor was also involved in the melee and although Willis was able to continue his race ended half a lap later when the Commodore burst into flame as a result of a petrol leak. The mechanical carnage continued with John Coulton, Napier (Marina Chev) retiring with a fuel blockage and Ralph Mossman, Rotorua, unable to restart his Viva Chev after a spin. Kennard finished well clear of the only other finishers, John Fisher, Christchurch, and Jim Short, Auckland. Kennard again finished ahead of Fisher in the second event while Mossman moved through the field well to take third for the North Island team after a slow start. The Aucklander, Ross Heffernan, driving a Mitsubishi Cordia, took a lights to flag

win in the opening round of the Shellsport New Zealand Manufacturers Championship. Frank Ryan’s similar car shadowed Heffernan throughout, rarely being more than two seconds behind, but Heffernan benefited from a quicker pit stop.

Graham Anderson’s Barina GT, took a creditable third place over all in winning the 0-1400 cu cm class, while the 1401-1609 cu cm class winner, Wayne Murdoch (Corolla GT), was one place further back.

David Slater, driving a Ford Telstar, won the 16012000 cu cm class.