21 replies to this topic

[Barry Lake]

Here is one for our New Zealand members.

Is the Wigram circuit still used for motor racing?
If not, when was it last used?
The fact that I do not know the answer is yet another example of how poorly NZ motor sport is reported in Australia, despite the close procimity of our countries, common language, cross-over of drivers etc.

Incidentally, I just purchased an interesting soft-cover book called "Saloon Car Racing in New Zealand" by Tim Chadwick.
The cars are accurately depicted by Chadwick's own artwork (he is a qualified artist), rather than photos and there are no results or accurate dates, other than the year, but it is an interesting insight into this form of motor racing by someone who has been following it since the 1960s.

[William Dale Jr]

Sadly, it appears as though Wigram has gone the way of many tracks. It was said in February's MotorSport Magazine that after the annual historic festival, the developers were due to move in and the track would be demolished. Hope that helps.

[Barry Lake]

William
Thanks for that.
I hadn't even realised they had an annual historic festival.
I still would like to know when they last had serious motor racing there.
Surely our Kiwi friends will know.

[KzKiwi]

The last time we had 'serious' racing here in NZ (and at Wigwram) was in the late 1970s and early 80s, when we had a healthy Formula Pacific single seater series with international representation. Names that appeared were Rosberg, Moreno, Thackwell, Rahal, De Cesaris,etc.

Since then, the racing has been confined to the national mainstream classes i.e Formula Ford and saloon cars,etc - hardly stirring stuff (yes I know you have to start somewhere, but....). I think the last 'name' drivers we had here were Alex. Wurz and Luciano Burti in Formula Ford in the early to mid 1990s. I believe Wigram was still on the racing agenda then as well, although its use and significance definately dropped off in proportion to the Formula Pacific series days.

Long gone are the days of the 1960s Tasman series I'm afraid.

Racing has indeed ended at Wigram. The air force base there is also in the throes of being relocated to the North Island location of Ohakea. This too has an important historical significance in NZ motor racing history, as the scene of the 1st NZ Grand Prix (unofficially).

Every 2 or 3 years they have a historic race meet at Ohakea to celebrate and recognise the importance that it has in our racing heritage - this may change with the merging of both air force facilities though.

[Barry Lake]

Thanks. That fills the picture in a little bit more, but I had hoped someone would have some actual dates.

[Huw Jenjin]

I cant give dates, but within the last five years.

[Barry Lake]

At the risk of being chastised by Ray Bell for again answering my own question, I managed to track it down elsewhere.
It was January 1994.

[Ray Bell]

How the hell would I know? But I did know that February's Historic events were the final meeting, and you would have, too, if you subscribed to our Newsletter.
The blurb we got prior to the event did give some details, but I doubt that the last 'serious' meeting date was there. I think there have only been irregular events over the past several years, I'm fairly sure they said there was no event in 1999.

[Milan Fistonic]

Made it at last. Thanks for your help Barry.
I've already provided Barry with the answer to his question but will post it here in case there is anyone else interested.
The last meeting at Wigram was held on Wednesday February 9, 2000.

[fines]

Welcome on board, Milan! Hope you enjoy the Forum as much as I, or for that matter, the majority in here do

[Barry Lake]

Milan, pleased to see you finally made it.

Guess who we turn to now with questions about racing in New Zealand?

It might be an idea to make note of how you solved your logging-on problem, so any others in the same situation can be advised.

[Brent]

Wigram was sold to Ngai Tahu for $18.56 million (GST inclusive) but i'm not sure if it's been paid for yet


Star Wars director George Lucas has worked in the South Island, New Zealand, before on the fantasy film "Willow". He fell in love with the area and is keen to return to film there. Mayor Viki Buck told the Star the company was interested in Wigram Air Base because of its wide open spaces and empty hangers. "Because they build all their own sets the hangers are really attractive to them," Ms. Buck said. If the company decided to film in Christchurch it would lease Wigram for a period of 12-18 months.

(never happened)

Auction!

Highlights from this stunning selection of 60 lots include The Sandown International Cup – awarded to Jim Clark, the outright winner of the Tasman Championship in 1967 – a splendid silver-plated piece of motoring history (£12,000-15000); The Lady Wigram Trophy – awarded to Jim Clark in 1967 and inscribed with his name (£12,000-15,000); a complete rear wing assembly from Damon Hill’s Benson and Hedges Jordan Mugen Honda 198 - used during the 1998 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season (£1,000-1,800); a 1995 season Total Jordan Peugeot steering wheel by Momo – signed by Eddie Irvine (£500-700); and a pair of Ayrton Senna’s race-used gloves from his third World Championship season in 1991, when he drove the Marlboro McLaren Honda MP4/6 (£500-800).

Greg Murphy
1993 Winner - Jim Clark Trophy (Wigram? still trying to find out)




[p][Edited by Brent on 10-22-2000]

[Milan Fistonic]

Brent
You wrote - Greg Murphy 1993 winner - Jim Clark trophy(Wigram? still trying to find out)

The Jim Clark Trophy is presented annually by Motorsport New Zealand to the NZ driver competing at a National or higher level who shows a sportsmanlike attitude to the sport and fellow competitors and natural ability in "putting up the most meritorious performance during the season".

It was first awarded in 1970 to Graham McRae and later recipients include Jim Richards, David Oxton, Brett Riley, Ken Smith, Ross Stone, Craig Baird Paul Radisich and Greg Murphy. Murphy received the award in 1993, 94 and 97.

If you want a full list of the recipients let me know.

[Barry Lake]

If it is easy to do, Milan, why not put them in here anyway.
It is all history and you never know when one of us might want to know something from it.

[Milan Fistonic]

Ok Barry here they are.

1970 Graham McRae
1971 Jim Richards
1972 David Oxton
1973 Reg Cook
1974 Rex Hart
1975 Brett Riley
1976 Ken Smith
1977 Bill Leckie
1978 Ross Stone
1979 Rob Lester
1980 Mike King
1981 Jeff Pascoe
1982 David Oxton
1983 Kevin Ingram
1984 Steve Richards
1985 No award made
1986 Trevor Crowe
1987 No award made
1988 Ken Smith MBE
1989 Wayne Huxford
1990 Ken Smith MBE
1991 Andt McElrea
1992 Craig Baird
1993 Greg Murphy
1994 Greg Murphy
1995 Paul Radisich
1996 Andy McElrea
1997 Greg Murphy
1998 Brett Riley
1999 Scott Dixon
2000 Simon Wills

[Brent]

Ahhhh coolas thank's Milan

[KzKiwi]

Thank you for that Milan, welcome aboard.

There are some great names on that list - whatever happened to Jeff Pascoe and Mike King (he was American was't he?). And Greg Murphy is NZ's greatest loss to single seater racing, for he can peddle a formula car better than he can a tin top racer, in my opinion anyway.

Does anyone from Europe remember Brett Riley during his years in the British F3 championship? I recall that he raced a private March sponsored by a rock band ('Starz' I think) before becoming a works driver for the 'Unipart March' team, powered by Triumph Dolomite engines. I think he won the teams only race of the season but finished behind his team mate in the points standing (all from memory).

So then, anyone know who his team mate was?

[fines]

Brett Riley, joined 8th in the 1979 F3 EC with Mike Thackwell (who he?), 2nd in 1977 BRDC British F3 championship, 5th in the 1978 BRDC British F3 championship, two places ahead of teammate Tiff Needell (now a TV presenter), 5th again in 1979 BARC/BRDC British F3 championship, three positions ahead of teammate Nigel Mansell (who he?), winner of May 20 Donington race (also an EC round) in a March 783 powered by a Swindon-tuned Triumph Dolomite engine, 7th in 1980 for David Price Racing, two positions behind Rob Wilson. BTW, Mansell also won in 1979 (Mar 25, Silverstone) with Riley second in the same race.

Also, for curiosity, there was a US racer by the name of Riley Brett who built his own cars, finished 15th in 1921 Indy 500 after hitting the wall on lap 92, with a purse of 116 USD. He was also 15th at Kansas City Sep 17, 1922, out after 41 of 240 laps driving a Frontenac.

[HistoricMustang]

I believe this is the circuit. Any updated information or photographs from the members and viewers?

Henry

[Peter Leversedge]

As one who raced in some of the supporting events at Wigram during the '60s & '70s I am saddened by the loss of Wigram as a race track. I understand that flying is about to stop altogether and the place is going to be turned into a housing development. WHAT A WASTE

[David McKinney]

I'm with you 100% on that, Peter

[swede917]

A couple pictures from the 1989 Race. Hiro Matsushita would win the Lady Wigram Race that year. Wigram was a great high speed track, the turn going around the Airport Tower was like no other. With the long straights gear changes were required through out the day depending on wind direction and speed. Sad another great track disappears.

If I'm not mistaken didn't Verstappen or Rosberg ended up crashing into a hanger one year?