Milligan lured back to seal

Press, 6 October 1989, Page 42

Milligan lured back to seal

By

JOHN HAWKINS

Grant Milligan, aged 22, has a lot of racing mileage behind him. This season his experience in classes as diverse as karting and rallying should stand him in good stead in his quest for New Zealand Formula Ford championship honours. Milligan comes from a family with a background in motor-sport. His father raced with distinction and his brother, Dean, is at present one of the top contenders in the Agip Oils Mini 7 championship. After gaining a ground- ■ ing in kart racing, Grant Milligan moved into car racing through the pre-’65 class, competing first in a Hillman before capturing the South Island title in a Ford Falcon in the next season. He contested the Laser TX3 series before making a significant move, into the Formula Ford class, where he again excelled, winning the South Island

championship in the 198788 season. Last season Milligan fancied a change of direction and contested loosesurface events, including several rallies, with a Mark II Escort. He is the first to admit that he feels more at home on a sealed surface, but Milligan says he thoroughly enjoyed his season in a rally car, particularly because in rallying the experience can be shared with the co-driver. Circuit racing is more an individual’s sport; what happens on the track is often seen only through the eyes of the driver. He will return to the circuits this season, but Milligan says that he would like to take in more rallying in the future, particularly in a four-wheel-drive car, which he feels may suit his style better, this having been shaped by years of circuit-racing. This season Milligan

will contest the national championship with an English-built RFBB Van Diemen Formula . Ford. This car, raced to second place in the national championship last season by Paul Larsen, is believed to be the latest model in New Zealand. However, 1989 versions are likely to be imported before the start of the new season. Milligan’s participation in the championship has been made possible by Stephen Foster, an enthusiast of the class and himself a former Formula Ford racer and speedway solo exponent of some repute. The fluorescent red car will carry signs of Kilkelly Cars and Milligan Cars.

Milligan contested a day’s club racing at Ruapuna recently with the new Van Diemen and immediately pronounced it an improvement on his previous 1981 car.

“The car feels bigger and more comfortable to sit in and is far superior to my 1981 car in the area of handling, and particularly traction,” he said. With proven race engines from Swift Automotive and the benefit of pre-season testing, Milligan’s only concern is in the area of tyres. This season the national championship rounds will be run using a patterned tyre, rather than the slicks previously used in New Zealand.

The change in regulations was aimed at bringing the New Zealand rules into line with those of Australia and the United Kingdom.

With supplies not expected in the country until early December, there will be little opportunity for familiarisation before the first round at Bay Park on January 7.