Tough assignment for Chch racer

Press, 12 April 1979, Page 34

Tough assignment for Chch racer

The versatility and stamina of the outstanding young Christchurch road racer, Mike Pero, will be put to the test in the annual motor-cycling classic, the New Zealand grand prix, at Ruapuna Park on Easter Sunday. Pero. who was seriously considering restricting his activities a few w'eeks ago because of a lack of finance, will race four very different machines in six events in the meeting: a tough assignment by any standards. This expansion of his activities has been made possible by a new sponsor, Jack's Yamaha, which has provided him with the latest Yamaha TZ2SOF for the 250 cu cm class and a Norjo special, using one cylinder of a RGSOO Suzuki, for the 125 cu cm class. Pero will also use his own TZ3SO Yamaha in the big-ger-capacity events and will race an RD4OO ' Yamaha owned by another Christ-

church racer, Bernie Turner, in the production events. Pero, already widely regarded as a rider of unusual ability, needs only a minor placing in the 410 cu cm production race on Sunday to win the New Zealand production crown for this class for the second year in succession. His nearest challenger is Jeff Greenfield (Wellington), who is four points behind. However, Pero intends to save his biggesT effort for the New Zealand lightweight (250 cu cm) grand prix of 12 laps. In this, his first big race in the 250 cu cm class, he has high hopes of claiming the largest share of the prize money. His entry’ into- the class has met ’with some disapproval from riders who have been battling for top honours in it since the start of the season. Four of them, Des Barry (Wellington), Brent Zillwood (Auckland). John Wood (Blenheim), and’

Peter Shapcott (Christ-1 church) are within two points of one another in their tussle for the New Zealand championship series. The grand prix ’ race is the last and deciding round, and they are concerned that Pero

could metaphorically put a spanner in the works. Pero. sees it differently. “It is going to be a very iriter(esting race,” he said. “I will be going all out to win. There is no way I will willingly allow anybody to pass me just because a title is at stake. I can’t let my sponsor down just for them.” There will be others capable of upsets, too. Among them are Steve McLennan (Oamaru) and the two Christchurch riders. Alister Mitchell and Greg Bramwell, who will both use Frepmframeri Yamaha?. Pero could also provide

(problems in the 125 cu cm i grand prix, where competition for the series title is ■ just as close. Robert Holden . (Wellingtoit). leads by. just: : three points from Terry Car-1 I keek (Wellington). Barry i Wylie (Christchurch), Bill!

Biber (Wellington), Wood, and Jock Woodley (Blenheim) are also potential winners of the race, which has drawn 29 entries. In the junior (350 cu cm) grand prix, Pero’s clash with the talented Wellington rider. Dave Hiscock. promises to be full of interest. A win by Hiscock would give him the national 350 cu cm crown. The present leader, John Woodley (Blenheim) has decided to contest the more financially rewarding international meeting at Bathurst, Australia instead. Pero is probably *the only i rider capable of stopping

him and he is certainly not confident of doing this. A second placing would! (give Pero second place inf ]the 350 cu cm championship]' (series, a fine effort at his]' first attempt. Hiscock has 1 : the advantage of having a’; (larger wheel on the rear of,< his TZ3SO Yamaha which] can take special tyres. He 1 also has one of New Zea-|< land’s most successful;! motor-cycle tuners, Steve;! Dundon. I - Pero will use his TZ3SO ; Yamaha for both the senior 1 grand prix and the open I grand prix. Then it will be put up for sale to allow him i to concentrate on the 250 cu cm class next season. Entries for the senior (500 cu cm) grand prix are disappointing, with Alan de : Lautour (New Plymouth), < Geoff Sell (New Plymouth), Pero. and Hiscock the men ; to beat. They will also contest the open grand prix, but this promises to be a much tougher race. The winner of the Newu

Zealand open road title for I the last two seasons, Rodger iFreeth (Auckland), and one (of New Zealand’s most suc(cessful international riders, (Trevor Discombe (Hamilton), (are likely to be the main performers in the open race of 15 laps. Woodley has already put (the open series . beyond (doubt but both Freeth and (Discombe are placing much (importance on winning the grand prix title. Discombe, always a popular figure at Ruapuna Park, won the title two years ago. The open production race should be another enthralling affair. Dave Hiscock, Neville Hiscock, Peter Stark, Peter Fleming (all Wellington), and Peter Waters (Timaru) will all ride big 1000 cu cm Suzukis capable of rivalling the speeds of the genuine racing machines. Dave Hiscock is already certain of the national series title but the battle for the minor places will be decided .in this race.

By

ROD DEW