State championship at Rowley Park
By Grant Nihill (unknown source)
Australia's top drivers will contest the Rothman's super modified State
championship at Rowley Park tonight. The 30-lap championship event will
mark the return of top US driver Marshall Sargent, driving the same
machine which has performed poorly in recent weeks, and National super
modified champion Dick Briton, of NSW.
Briton, described as the hardest driver, in Australia, should have
his Corvette well up with the leaders at the end of the event, but will
really have to push to beat top local stars Peter
("Ace") Denton, Zeke Agars. Phil
Herreen and Ray Skipper. Throughout the season,
these drivers have displayed the skill and power which has made them
a class above other SA competitors. Denton is in top form. His great
run last week when he made up a number of placings after hitting the
fence, stopping and then powering off again was a feature of the night.
Agars won every lap dash last week before pulling out in the feature
and, driving his new "186" with triple Stombergs, he should provide
strong opposition. Ray Skipper, unimpressive last week before retiring
with every tooth in his differential chewed off, has the power and the
aggression to match anyone.If all his troubles are rectified, he will
be a strong contender for the championship.
Two Victorian drivers, Ron Smith - the top Victorian driver in his
Corvette - and Richard Newham, making his first appearance at Rowley
Park, will also added interest to the event. Sargent, a mediocre performer
in his last appearance here, won only one race in WA. But Sargent is
a professional and, if he can get his car going - a car which has been
worked extremely hard since he first brought it to Australia five years
ago - the event will be keenly fought
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