Race now on to secure winning craft's future Race now on to secure winning plane's future

For sale: rebuilt Aerostar Super 700, winner London-to-Sydney air race, as new, $5 million ono, Hong Kong buyer preferred.

The team that flew the first Asian entry to victory in a race that has taken place only four times in 90 years is urging Hong Kong not to miss the opportunity of buying what it says is a flying advertisement for the region.

Speaking on arrival from Australia at a welcoming reception at Chek Lap Kok airport yesterday, three of the original four-member crew of the twin-engine Spirit of Kai Tak pleaded for the aircraft to remain in Hong Kong.

'We think it should be bought for Hong Kong - we should keep it and use it as a mobile ad for Hong Kong. It would be a shame to lose it,' said pilot-in-command and Cathay Pacific training captain Mike Miller. He believes the 28-day race the team won on April 9 after making 30 ports of call along a 22,500km route between London and Sydney will be the last in the history of an event first held in 1919.

'I think it is the last time the race will be run and this aircraft will go down in history as the last winner,' he said.

Second pilot James D'Arcy, whose 71-year-old father and teammate John returned directly from Australia to his home in London, said he was happy and proud to have represented Hong Kong. 'The fact that we won was a bonus,' he said.