Radisich set for trophy race win

Press, 23 January 1988, Page 92

Radisich set for trophy race win

By

JOHN HAWKINS

Paul Radisich, of Auckland, looks on course to take his second successive win in the Lady Wigram Trophy Race at the Benson and Hedges series meeting this week-end, after four wins from six starts in the Digital Computers Formula Pacific series. The young Formula 3000 aspirant had an easy win in last year’s trophy race field, and was in dominant form at last week-end’s New Zealand Grand Prix meeting. His early model Ralt RT4 has served him well, and its narrow track configuration is ideally suited to the fast airfield circuit at Wigram. Whether it has the straight-line speed to stay ahead of the 1988 model cars, which have proven prodigiously fast on long straights, will probably be answered during today’s practice sessions. Barring a major surprise, the man most likely to keep Radisich honest is his fellow Aucklander, Ken Smith. With his 1988 specification car, Smith has been the only

driver to beat Radisich in the series so far, and the wily veteran could well be the first to see the unfurling of the chequered flag tomorrow afternoon. The New Zealanders closest challengers should come from within the ranks of Graeme Lawrence’s team drivers, particularly the American, Ted Prappas and Canadian, Paul Tracy. In some quarters, the opinion has been expressed that Lawrence’s usually fine team has spread its resources too thin by running four cars and has therefore presented a less effective challenge than might normally have been the case. This applies particularly to the Swift of former downhill speed skier, Dean Hall. The American car has been an outstanding performer in the United States, but has proven less effective on New Zealand’s bumpy circuits thousands of miles from its home base. Financial constraints appear to have blunted the challenge of Graham Watson’s Ralt Australia

team. Watson has capable drivers in Parker Johnstone and David Brabham, but the team has been leading a hand-to-mouth existence during the series, which has seen it just short of the front running pace. From opposite ends of the experience spectrum, are the Americans Dan Marvin and Robbie Groff. With many years Atlantic racing experience behind him, Marvin has been plagued by a mysterious engine misfire during the series, and .then contracted a virus. Wigram could well see him figure prominently in the race results. Groff, meanwhile, has been gaining speed by the meeting, and like Smith, drives a 1988 specification, Ralt. Wigram should suit this combination well. The Christchurch driver, Andy McElrea, impressed many with his mature drive to seventh place in the New Zealand Grand Prix, especially as he is the fourth string to the Lawrence team’s bow. Back on home ground, he will be keen to impress in front of local supporters.