CHRISTCHURCH [NZ]
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1949 - WIGRAM AIRFIELD CIRCUIT. The Inception.
In an extract from Wigram, The Birthplace of Military Aviation in New Zealand, Bee Dawson tells the tale of how Motor Racing started at Wigram Airfield.
In 1948 Motor Racing enthusiast Jack Brewer had almost finished arranging a street race taking in the roads around Harwood when the local Golf Club, concerned that members wouldn't be able to play their usual Saturday round, threatened to slap an injunction on the proceedings.
When Brewer and his friends flew to Wellington to have a word with the Prime Minister, Peter Fraser brightly suggested that the Airfield at Wigram would be an ideal venue to hold a road race as there'd be no distraction's to the general public.
Brewer recalls that the Minister of Defence Fred Jones quickly concoured : he had no objection at all. He said he'd get in touch with his Chief of Air Staff. and so the Motor Racing commenced at the Wigram Airfield.
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1949 - WIGRAM AIRFIELD CIRCUIT.
Motor Racing began at this Airfield circuit on the 26th of February 1949 with the first New Zealand Road Race Championship. The race was run over 50 laps or (105miles) and was won by Morrie Proctor in a Riley. As the race moved forward in time the name of the Championship was changed to the Lady Wigram Trophy Race.
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1951 - Sir Henry and Lady Wigram.Lady Wigram was the wife of Sir Henry Wigram a former Mayor of Christchurch who played a major roll in establishing the Wigram Aerodrome prior to his death in 1934.
Sir Henry and his wife were keen supporters of Motor Racing, either on the ground or in the air.
The name of the Championship was changed in 1951.
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Pictured is Commanding Officer, Group Captain CE Kay, Lady Wigram and the unnamed Chief Ground Instructor. Photo: RNZAF Station Wigram.
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1952 - WIGRAM AIRFIELD CIRCUIT. Lady Wigram Trophy Race. 23rd February 1952. |
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1954 - WIGRAM AIRFIELD CIRCUIT. Lady Wigram Trophy Race. 6th February 1954.
TALK MOTORSPORT Photo feature.
6th February 1954 - Ken Wharton from England pictured here in his BRM P15 V16 finished third in the event behind Peter Whitehead's Ferrari Super Squalo and the HWM Alta of Tony Gaze. Earlier in the day Wharton would set fast and start the race on pole. Photo's: Terry Marshall collection.
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1956 - WIGRAM AIRFIELD CIRCUIT. Lady Wigram Trophy Race. 21st January 1956. |
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1957 - WIGRAM AIRFIELD CIRCUIT. Lady Wigram Trophy Race. 26th January 1957. |
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1958 - WIGRAM AIRFIELD CIRCUIT. Lady Wigram Trophy Race. 25th January 1958. |
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1959 - WIGRAM AIRFIELD CIRCUIT. Lady Wigram Trophy Race. 24th January 1959. |
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1960 - WIGRAM AIRFIELD CIRCUIT. Lady Wigram Trophy Race. 23rd January 1960. |
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1961 - WIGRAM AIRFIELD CIRCUIT. Lady Wigram Trophy Race. 21st January 1961. |
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1962 - WIGRAM AIRFIELD CIRCUIT. Lady Wigram Trophy Race. 20th January 1962. |
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