Motor Racing: Allport's absence means Inky is best tip

By Bob Pearce

Pitstop

Truck racing will return to Pukekohe this weekend, but without one of its leading drivers.

Neil Allport, the former national rally champion who has turned to the heavy metal in recent years, has been unable to raise the budget to compete.

In his absence the favourite for the first round of the national championship must be Mataura driver Inky Tulloch, who holds the New Zealand title and would be Australian champion as well but for a controversial disqualification for going too fast.

Tulloch's Volvo will be challenged by the Kenworths of Gary Davie and Robin Porter. Davie will be hoping to make his mark on the track this time. Last year he rolled the Kenworth at the hairpin, causing a half-hour delay to proceedings while the big rig was righted.

Classic Italians here for festival

Four of the most exotic grand prix racing motorcycles ever made, blood-red Italian MV Agustas, are heading for Auckland to share the lead role in the annual Classic Motorcycle Festival at Pukekohe on February 6 and 7.

They are being flown to New Zealand to star with Giacomo Agostini, who won all but two of his 15 grand prix championships on MVs.

The four machines Agostini will ride are:

* A three-cylinder 500cc he rode to win the Isle of Man TT and the world championship.

* A four-cylinder 500cc used by both Agostini and British rider Phil Read in the 1970s.

* A four-cylinder 350cc of the last type to win a grand prix for MV.

* A 1968 six-cylinder 350cc made before International Motorcycle Federation rule changes dictated a maximum of four cylinders.

The machines and the race team were the hobby of Count Domenico Agusta, head of the helicopter firm that bears his name.

Smith in with chance

Ken Smith, winner of two New Zealand Grands Prix, has at the age of 57 the chance to win a national single-seater title he has never won.

Going into the final round of the Formula Ford championship at Pukekohe this weekend, Smith has a two-point lead over another former grand prix winner, Brady Kennett.

Just three points further back is Southlander LeRoy Stevenson, who was an early leader in the championship.

"I'm driving harder than I ever have," said Smith yesterday. "I drive fair, but I'm not intimidated by anyone."

Murphy off to Australia

Greg Murphy has opted for the Australian V8 championship this season and he could be joined by another Kiwi, Paul Radisich.

With his Indylight and British touring car prospects snuffed out, Murphy has signed with Fred Gibson's Holden team alongside Bathurst winner Steven Richards.

Radisich, back in New Zealand for a brief holiday, has been talking with Dick Johnson's Ford team, where there is a vacancy with the departure of John Bowe.

He lost his British touring car drive when Peugeot decided to concentrate on rallying. The Johnson drive is one prospect but he is also negotiating with GT sports car teams in Europe and the United States.

Tranzam confrontation

The Craig Baird-Shane Drake Tranzam confrontation will reach its climax on Sunday with three races at Pukekohe.

The odds should favour Baird, who made a clean sweep of the final round on his home track last season.

But such is the heat and hype being generated between the two teams that Grant Silvester might watch them self-destruct and claim the title.

Manukau motorsport medley

The Manukau rally superstage will play host to a motorsport medley on Saturday.

Competing in the Extreme Superstage Grand Prix will be rally cars, offroad racers and quad machines.