01.06.92 - F1Nigel Mansell has hit out at James Hunt for suggesting he has re-signed for the Canon Williams Renault team for 1993 and 1994. Mansell, pipped in Monaco by Ayrton Senna, said Hunt's claim on television was wrong and out of order. Mansell said: "I am shocked. He has no right to say these things and he has got it wrong. Of course I am in negotiations with Williams but that is private and there is no way James Hunt or anyone else would know about it."
Mystery still surrounds the tyre trouble which wrecked Nigel Mansell's hopes of victory at Monaco on Sunday. The Williams team have issued a statement saying only that Mansell had the "sensation of a puncture" on his right rear wheel. A Williams spokesman said: "We are still investigating the cause of the problem. We need to take a careful look at this one." Mansell was forced into the pits seven laps from the finish to change tyres.
THE ACROPOLIS RALLY:- Positions after 18/40 stages:(End of 2nd day) Accumulated penalties mins secs 1 D Auriol Fr Lancia Delta 3:10:03 2 M Biasion It Ford Sierra 3:11:48 3 J Kankkunen Fin Lancia Delta 3:11:53 4 M Alen Fin Toyota Celica 3:14:19 5 C McRae GB Subaru Legacy 3:14:21 6 A Schwarz Ger Toyota Celica 3:15:34 7 F Delecour Fra Ford Sierra 3:17:51 8 J Recalde Arg Lancia Delta 3:18:02 9 A Fiorio It Lancia Delta 3:25:57 10 "Jigger" Gre Toyota Celica 3:27:37World championship leader Carlos Sainz is out of the rally after overturning his Toyota on the 13th and toughest stage in Lagonissi in Greece. The Spaniard escaped uninjured but rival Didier Auriol took full advantage as he stretched his lead. Auriol, who overcame a spinal injury suffered in practice, had moved nearly two minutes ahead of closest challenger Miki Biasion by the end of day two. The cars will re-group in Delphi after covering the day's 13 special stages of gravel roads.
02.06.92F1:- Brabham boss Dennis Nursey says he hopes to annnounce the rescue package later this week that will safeguard the team's Formula 1 future. "We just have to dot the 'i's and cross the 't's," he said. "The final reorganisation is being done now." He has also averted a threat by mechanics to boycott the next Grand Prix in Canada in 12 days times unless their pay was brought up to date. "We have been late paying the mechanics but we are rectifying that so that everyone will be happy," he added.
THE ACROPOLIS RALLY:- Positions after 30/40 stages:(End of 3rd day) Accumulated penalties mins secs 1 D Auriol Fr Lancia Delta 5:19:42 2 J Kankkunen Fin Lancia Delta 5:21:33 3 M Biasion It Ford Sierra 5:22:28 4 C McRae GB Subaru Legacy 5:23:50 5 F Delecour Fra Ford Sierra 5:30:22 6 J Recalde Arg Lancia Delta 5:32:49 7 A Fiorio It Lancia Delta 5:40:47 8 Jigger Gre Toyota Celica 5:55:18 9 De Mevius Bel Nissan Sunny 5:57:42 10 C Apostolou Gre Lancia Delta 5:59:58 Lancia drivers Didier Auriol and Juha Kankkunen are 1-2 at the end of the third leg with just 10 stages to go. "We have been going steadily all day, fast but not at the maximum," said Auriol confidently. The pair have a one minute lead over Massimo Biasion. He is being chased by Colin McRae who has set the fastest time on six of the day's 12 stages. Armin Schwartz and Markku Alen both crashed out on the same corner of stage 26. Alen's co-driver Ilkka Kivimaki was treated for minor injuries.
Colin McRae was the star of the third leg of the Acropolis Rally as he set the fastest time in six of the day's 12 stages to end the day fourth. Having stormed through a day which broke the back of the Toyota challenge he climbed passed Markku Alen on the second stage. "I am very pleased with the way the day has gone," said McRae. "We have had very few problems and this allowed me to find my rhythm very early on. I will press hard for the last 10 stages and see what happens."
03.06.92 - THE ACROPOLIS RALLYFrenchman Didier Auriol completed his third win of the year to cut Lancia teammate Juha Kankkunen's championship lead to just two points. He completed the 40-stage event with a 1 minute 29 second advantage over Kankkunen, with Miki Biasion a further 56 seconds back in third place. Britain's Colin McRae followed up his superb second place in Sweden with another dynamic drive to finish fourth. He won six of the 12 special stages on the final day and was less than three minutes behind Auriol overall.
Final result after 40 stages: Accumulated penalties mins secs 1 D Auriol Fr Lancia Delta 7:12:08 2 J Kankkunen Fin Lancia Delta 7:13:37 3 M Biasion It Ford Sierra 7:14:33 4 C McRae GB Subaru Legacy 7:16:02 5 F Delecour Fra Ford Sierra 7:27:22 6 J Recalde Arg Lancia Delta 7:31:58 7 A Fiorio It Lancia Delta 7:44:53 8 Jigger Gre Toyota Celica 8:00:35 9 G De Mevius Bel Nissan Sunny 8:05:11 10 F Capdevila Sp Ford Sierra 8:07:40 After the Acropolis Rally: DRIVERS 1 J Kankkunen Fin Lancia 62 pts 2 D Auriol Fr Lancia 60 3 C Sainz Sp Toyota 57 4 M Biasion It Ford 34 5 F Delecour Fr Ford 33 MANUFACTURERS 1 Lancia 97 pts 2 Toyota 67 3 Ford 60 4 Nissan 24 5 Subaru 23 04.06.92 - F1Julian Bailey is set to return to Formula 1 in place of Brabham driver Damon Hill. And if everything is put in place he could be back at the wheel of an F1 car for the Canadian Grand Prix on June 14. Bailey, who drove for Tyrrell in 1988 and scored points for Lotus at last year's San Marino Grand Prix, is to bring a new sponsor to Brabham. "We would like to keep Damon but we have to secure the future of the team," said Brabham boss, Dennis Nursey.
05.06.92TOURING CARS:- British Touring Car champion Will Hoy was fastest in his Toyota Carina in testing for Sunday's fifth round of the series at Brands Hatch. Hoy edged teammate Andy Rouse by 1/100 of a second with Bobby Verdon-Roe third fastest in his Vauxhall Cavalier.
F3:- Britain's Kelvin Burt, in a Reynard Mugen 923, was fastest in testing at Silverstone for Sunday's eighth round of the British Formula 3 Championship. Series leader Gil de Ferran of Brazil was second in his Paul Stewart Racing entered Reynard.
06.06.92F3:- Belgian Phillipe Adams headed the field after practice for Sunday's fifth round of the British Formula Three Championship at Silverstone. Adams, in a Ralt RT36, was 6/100ths of a second faster than compatriot Mikke Van Hool in a Reynard 923.
F.OPEL LOTUS:- Italy's Oliver Martini is on pole for Sunday's fifth round of the Opel Lotus/Vauxhall Lotus Euroseries in Sweden. Britain's Gareth Rees starts in seventh.
F.RENAULT 90:- Londoner Jeremey Nicholson claimed the first pole of his career for Sunday's Formula Renault 90 race at Silverstone.
F.RENAULT CLIO:- Championship leader Matt Johnson will start Sunday's Elf Oils Renault Clio UK Cup race on pole at Silverstone.
F.RENAULT:- Brazilian Thomas Erdos is on pole for the P&O European Ferries Formula Renault Championship, also at Silverstone.
07.06.92TOURING CARS:- John Cleland won round five of the Esso RAC British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch after champion Will Hoy and series leader Andy Rouse crashed. Cleland, driving a Vauxhall Cavalier, takes over the series lead.
F.FORWARD:- Eugene O'Brien won œ40,000 after taking the 6th round of the Cleanaway Formula Forward Championship at Brands after five successive fastest laps in the series.
F3:- Philippe Adams won the eighth round of the British Formula 3 Championship at Silverstone in a Ralt RT36. Series leader Gil de Ferran of Brazil was second, with Briton Kelvin Burt third.
F.OPEL LOTUS:- Britain's Gareth Rees won round five of the Opel Lotus/Vauxhall Euroseries in Sweden to extend his series lead. Oliver Martini crossed the line first but was penalised for a jump start.
F.RENAULT:- Londoner Harry Nuttall won the seventh round of the P&O European Ferries Formula Renault Championship at Silverstone after Ivan Arias and Pedro Martinez de la Rose were excluded for passing under caution flags. The Spanish duo have appealed.
F.RENAULT CLIO:- Hayden Measham won the Elf Oils Renault Clio UK Cup race at Silverstone. Robin Parosn was second and David Cox third.
08.06.92 - MITSUBISHI CLASSIC MARATHON (Previously Pirelli classic) Positions after first day: penalties 1 Fennell/F'cis Morris Cooper S 0.44 2 Barrow/Barrow Austin Cooper S 0.51 3 Lopes/Goblet Austin Copper S 0.56 4 Watt/Wright Triumph GT6 0.57 5 Bourne/Bourne Morgan Plus 4 0.58 6 H'land/Dale MGB 1.01 7 McBridge/Frzr A-Healey 3000 1.05 8 McCartney/Crw Austin Cooper S 1.06 9 M Gammons/El' MGB 1.07 10 Bennet/Astle Jaguar E-Type 1.08 == Sun'ui/Bofill Lotus Cortina 1.08 11.06.92 - JOHN WATSON ON THE CANADIAN GRAND PRIXThere was natural disappointment for Nigel Mansell when his record-breaking unbeaten run of wins was stymied 10 laps from the end in Monaco. But after he rejoined the race, Mansell illustrated just how effective he and his Williams Renault can be. In effect, Mansell moved his performance up a gear and only then did we see the full potential of Mansell and the Williams Renault. But the nature of Monaco and Senna's race craft plus his intelligence in the car proved too much for Mansell.
One fact that is blatantly clear is that the combination of Nigel Mansell in a Williams-Renault is in a different league to anyone else at present. The ultimate potential of this combination has not yet been stretched. The conclusion is, this weekend Mansell will make up for his disappointment in Monaco and exorcise the ghost of one year ago when he dominated the Grand Prix only to stop on the last lap. All this must make the opposition, including teammate Riccardo Patrese, wonder what they have to do to beat the Mansell-Williams duo on the track.
Last year's winners Benetton need to be watched at very closely in this race. While I don't believe they can run at the pace of Nigel Mansell and Williams Renault I do think they are going to be a very strong team at the weekend. The team's development in 1992 is becoming more complete and with both drivers now regularly in the points the driver balance is looking impressive. Benetton are now running with a new series seven Ford HB engine which is yet more powerful than previously and this is why I think they can challenge for honours in Canada.
Ayrton Senna and Gerhard Berger will not have the easiest time in Canada. McLaren once again appear to have the best engine in Formula One in Honda. But their performance is being held back by a car that does not give its driver the kind of feel that Williams or Benetton is capable of doing. But expect nothing less than the consummate professional performance of Ayrton Senna and a potentially on-form Gerhard Berger in Canada this weekend.
In spite of denials there appears to be driver trouble in the Ferrari camp. While Jean Alesi continues to manhandle his Ferrari at every opportunity, Ivan Capelli appears to be reacting to the very disturbing press about his future with the team. Personally, I do not believe it is right to allow this kind of uncertainty to exist as a driver of Capelli's nature needs to feel the emotional strength of a team around him. Not all drivers are hard cases.
The Canadian Grand Prix again presents the opportunity for the teams running off the pace of the front runners to pick up necessary points. It was here last year that the Jordan team got their first World Championship points and they will be praying for a similar result this year. The performance and reliability of the Yamaha engine has been disappointing. This is the penultimate race leading up to a change of teams going into pre-qualification but, more crucially to teams, points represent income - a vital lifeline for many teams.
Montreal can produce unseasonable and very changeable weather. At best it can be beautiful, at worst it can be wet, windy and miserable. Combine those elements with the most difficult race for the teams in the calendar and, in effect, what you have is little more than a lottery. Surprise, surprise, my tip is to go with Nigel Mansell to win his sixth Grand Prix of the campaign. But if you want longer odds put your money on Benetton.
MITSUBISHI MARATHON RALLY
Positions after fifth day:(Salzburg to Cortina)
pens
1 Gammons/East' MGB 1.49
2 Barrow/Barrow Austin Cooper S 1.50
3 Bourne/Bourne Morgan Plus 4 1.55
4 Bennett/Astle Jaguar E-Type 2.05
5 Sun'ui/Bofill Lotus Cortina 2.06
6 Moss/Heritage MGB 2.14
7 H'nall/Dale MGB 2.23
8 Walton/Young Lotus Elite 2.35
9 Barker/Barker Jaguar XK120 2.41
10 Gammons/Eala' MGB 2.44
MOBIL1/TOP GEAR RALLY:- Oxfordshire's Trevor Smith is out to knock Colin McRae
off top spot in the British Championship in the Perth Scottish International
this weekend. The reigning national champion is 11 points behind leader McRae
but could shoot to the top in his Group A Ford Sierra if McRae
falters. Raymond Munro is currently leading the Scottish Championship, with a
36-point lead over his nearest rival. The first of the 26 special stages
starts from Perth Ice Rink on Friday and finishes in the town centre
Sunday.
13.06.92F1:- THE CANADIAN GRAND PRIX:- World champion Ayrton Senna ended Nigel Mansell's run of six successive poles this year when he claimed the prime grid position for Sunday. Brazilian Senna, driving a McLaren, took his record total of pole positions to 61 but did so without improving on his best time from Friday's qualifying. Wet overnight weather and changed track conditions made the Gilles Villeneuve circuit much slower and only a few drivers were able to improve times. Mansell did improve in his Williams but it was not enough to shift Senna from his first pole of the year.
FIA WORLD FORMULA ONE CHAMPIONSHIP:
Final qualifying from Montreal:mins secs
1 A Senna Brz McLaren 1:19.775
2 R Patrese It Williams 1:19.872
3 N Mansell GB Williams 1:19.948
4 G Berger Aut McLaren 1:20.145
5 M Schumacher Ger Benetton 1:20.456
6 J Herbert GB Lotus 1:21.645
7 M Brundle GB Benetton 1:21.738
8 J Alesi Fr Ferrari 1:21.777
9 I Capelli It Ferrari 1:22.297
10 M Hakkinen Fin Lotus 1:22.360
11 U Katayama Jpn Venturi 1:22.510
12 K Wendlinger Aut March 1:22.566
13 G Morbidelli It Minardi 1:22.594
14 A De Cesaris It Tyrrell 1:22.635
15 P Martini It Dallara 1:22.850
16 M Alboreto It Footwork 1:22.878
17 S Modena It Jordan 1:23.023
18 G Tarquini It Fondmetal 1:23.063
19 B Gachot Bel Venturi 1:23.138
20 P Belmondo Fr March 1:23.189
21 T Boutsen Bel Ligier 1:23.203
22 E Comas Fr Ligier 1:23.212
23 JJ Lehto Fin Dallara 1:23.249
24 M Gugelmin Brz Jordan 1:23.431
25 C Fittipaldi Brz Minardi 1:23.433
26 O Grouillard Fr Tyrrell 1:23.469
NON-QUALIFIERS
27 A Suzuki Jpn Footwork 1:23.721
28 E Vd Poele Bel Brabham 1:24.499
29 A Chiesa It Fondmetal 1:25.044
30 D Hill GB Brabham 1:25.812
MOBIL 1/TOP GEAR RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP
Positions after 14 stages: mins:secs
1 C McRae Subaru 98:40
2 A McRae Sierra Cosworth 102:28
3 J McRae Saphire Cosworth 102:28
4 R Burns Subaru 102:29
5 R Head Sierra Cosworth 102:37
6 L A-Walker Sierra Cosworth 104:04
14.06.92
Result from Canadian GP, Montreal:
hrs:mins:secs
1 G Berger Aut McLaren 1:37:08.299
2 M Schumacher Ger Benetton @ 12.401
3 J Alesi Fr Ferrari @ 1:07.327
4 K Wendlinger Aut March @ one lap
5 A De Cesaris It Tyrrell @ one lap
6 E Comas Fr Ligier @ one lap
7 M Alboreto It Footwork @ one lap
8 P Martini It Dallara @ one lap
9 JJ Lehto Fin Dallara @ one lap
10 T Boutsen Bel Ligier @ two laps
11 G Morbidelli It Minardi @ two laps
12 O Grouillard Fr Tyrrell @ two laps
13 C Fittipaldi Brz Minardi @ four laps
14 P Belmondo Fr March @ five laps
FIA WORLD F1 DRIVERS' STANDINGS
1 N Mansell GB Williams 56 pts
2 R Patrese It Williams 28
3 M Schumacher Ger Benetton 26
4 G Berger Aut McLaren 18
= A Senna Brz McLaren 18
6 J Alesi Fr Ferrari 11
7 M Alboreto It Footwork 5
= M Brundle GB Benetton 5
9 A De Cesaris It Tyrrell 4
10 K Wendlinger Aut March Ilmor 3
11 I Capelli It Ferrari 2
= P Martini It Dallara 2
CONSTRUCTORS' CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1 Williams 84 points
2 McLaren 36
3 Benetton 33
4 Ferrari 13
5 Footwork 5
6 Tyrrell 4
7 March Ilmor 3
8 Lotus Ford 2
= Dallara 2
10 Venturi 1
= Ligier Renault 1
Gerhard Berger won only the seventh Grand Prix of his career to make it two
victories on the trot for McLaren after a race littered with
retirements. Championship leader Nigel Mansell spun out of the race on lap 15
and Williams teammate Riccardo Patrese also retired due to gearbox
problems. World champion Ayrton Senna, who had led from pole position, stayed
in front until lap 38 when he retired with engine problems and Berger took
over. Michael Schumacher kept up his fine start to the year by finishing
second.Austrian Gerhard Berger claimed his first win since last year's Japanese Grand Prix in Montreal after Nigel Mansell and Ayrton Senna both retired. Berger, who started fourth on the grid, took over the race leadership on lap 38 of the 69-lap schedule when race leader Ayrton Senna retired. By that stage Nigel Mansell had already bowed out of the race and Berger had overtaken another troubled Williams driver Riccardo Patrese, who also quit. It was left to Michael Schumacher to mount a challenge but Berger was safe.
Nigel Mansell made a complaint to the race stewards after contesting just 15 laps of the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. Controversy surrounded the incident when Mansell made his early exit after challenging Ayrton Senna for the lead. Senna resisted the Briton's attempt to pass and Mansell careered off the circuit, spinning across a sand-trap before coming to rest back on the track. But Senna also retired - later in the race - to leave Mansell very much in charge in the Formula One championship.
German ace Michael Schumacher continued his consistent start to the season with second place in the Canadian Grand Prix. The Benetton driver, who has failed to finish in the top four just once this year, moved to within just two points of second-placed Riccardo Patrese after finishing behind Gerhard Berger. Benetton teammate Martin Brundle, second fastest in warm-up, also had a good race and was placed second before transmission problems on lap 46. But Berger's win kept Benetton in third place in the construcors championship.
Austrian driver Karl Wendlinger picked up the first Formula One points of his career as he finished the Canadian Grand Prix in fourth place in Montreal. Wendlinger's success also earned vital constuctor team points for March Ilmor. Jean Alesi took advantage of Nigel Mansell, Ayrton Senna and Riccardo Patrese's problems to finish third. In a race full of retirements, Andrea de Cesaris claimed fifith place for Tyrrell and Frenchman Erik Comas picked up a much-needed point for Ligier Renault in sixth spot.
MOBIL 1 TOP GEAR RALLY - RESULT AFTER 26 STAGES:
hrs mins secs
1 C McRae Subaru 2:32.00
2 A McRae Sierra Cosworth 2:36.29
3 R Head Sierra Cosworth 2:36.47
4 J McRae Saphire Cosworth 2:36.51
5 L A-Walker Sierra Cosworth 2:43.42
6 T Smith Ford 2:46.41
7 P Dyas Ford 2:46.48
8 M Higgins Vauxhall 2:47.25
9 J Milner Peugeot 2:48.13
10 R Burns Subaru 2:48.37
Standings: C McRae 75 pts, A McRae 61, T Smith 56, L Aitken-Walker 53
Group N: A McRae 75, L A-Walker 62, P Dyas 43
18.06.92 - JOHN WATSON ON THE LE MANS 24 HOUR
This weekend sees the 60th running of the classic Le Mans 24 hours race. But I
hope in spite of the poor entry, the race will live up to the definition of
the word "classic". Potential entrants were put off by the uncertainty
surrounding the future of the FIA Sportscar World Championship last
year. Teams enter the Championship to be able to take part at Le Mans and not
in isolation but organisers have been forced to open the doors to boost the
number of competitors in the race.The initial focus of interest will be the battle between Peugeot and Toyota with both having three cars entered. They have been carrying out simulated 24 hours test but have not always been getting the kind of endurance required for Le Mans. From a British point of view, Peugeot will have Mark Blundell and Derek Warwick in Car 1, although the other two cars will be almost as strong. Toyota Team TOM'S have David Brabham, Geoff Lees and Ukyo Katayama in Car 7, while Car 8 features Andy Wallace with Kenny Acheson in Car 33.
My feeling at the moment is that Toyota appear the better bet ahead of Peugeot, although neither car finished the recent 500km race at Silverstone. I suspect both teams will keep one of their three cars as a hare but I don't know who's trying to kid who. The Euro Racing Lolas, who use the Judd V10 engine, will probably find Le Mans fairly hard going. I think a Le Mans effort against Mazda, Toyota and Peugeot is extremely difficult for any privateer team.
Last year's winner Mazda will have a car based closely on the TWR Jaguar XJR 14's but with a John Judd V10 bearing the Mazda name as a power unit. Undoubtably this team will not be challenging for pole in spite of having last year's winning combination of Johnny Herbert, Bertrand Gachot and Volker Weidler. I think the approach Mazda have to Le Mans will be very much like previous years and to finish first you first must finish.
A name more synonomous with Formula 1 is that of BRM Motorsport and no doubt the jingoistic support that Jaguar have enjoyed over the years will transfer. The team is not really ready for the 24 hour challenge of Le Mans but I believe every British enthusiast will keep a place in their heart for the team. Some pundits believe one of the turbocharged cars will take the honours but only 2,140 litres of fuel will be available, some 300 less than last year. That, in effect, is about three hours worth and I imagine some will be hoping for a wet race where less fuel is used.
There are three teams with turbocharged cars entered in the race. The first two are Japanese based Toyota teams; Sard racing who will be running Ulsterman Eddie Irvine and Trust Racing who will run Stefan Johansson. The third team is the Porsche Kremer outfit who are running the venerable Porsche 962. They have two cars entered but realistically only one can be considered a major challenge. Don't expect the turbo-charged cars to run at the front in the first half of the race - expect to see them come through in the final hours.
One Le Mans based team is Courage Competition who have secured the services of famous Frenchman Bob Wollek. The Courage use the same power plant as the Porsche 962 but with their own locally-designed chassis and bodywork. One very sentimental entry will be father and son Bell backed up by Sky Sport frontman Tiff Needell. If Derek can coach son Justin in the art and craft of Le Mans and contain Needell's exuberance this entry could be the 'sleeper' of the event.
As you can see this year's Le Mans has quality but the bulk of the entry is made up by less powerful FIA Cup cars. The organisers have also accepted entries from the Peugeot 905 Spiders Cup cars, the French C3 Alfa Romeo and the UK based Pro-Sport 3000 but how they will fare is a total mystery. Understandably there will be much concern among the Peugeot, Toyota and faster turbo-charged cars to the vast speed differential, up to 40 mph. Many of the drivers who race at Le Mans these days are not of the highest calibre and vigilance will play a part.
POSITIONS AFTER SECOND QUALIFYING:
mins:secs
1 Baldi/Alliot/J'ille Peugeot 3:21.209
2 Warwick/B'dell/D'mas Peugeot 3:29.166
3 Lees/Brabham/K'yama Toyota 3:30.950
4 W'linger/Ferte/Poele Peugeot 3:31.250
5 Sekiya/Acheson/R'nel Toyota 3:35.528
6 Herbert/Weidler/G'ot Mazda 3:36.856
7 Reuter/Nielsen Porsche 3:37.729
8 Ratzenberger/Irvine Toyota 3:39.850
9 Lammers/Wallace/Fabi Toyota 3:40.163
10 Euser/Zwolsman/P'ja Toyota 3:43.486
Philippe Alliot shattered the lap record in his Peugeot V10 with a superb 3
mins 21.209 secs during the second qualifying session around the Sarthe. He
knocked almost six seconds off Mark Blundell's two-year old turbocar record
over the 8.45 mile circuit to take provisional pole position. Britain's Derek
Warwick was second in his Peugeot but crashed at the final chicane on the last
lap, breaking the car's suspension. Geoff Lees, in a Toyota took third, while
last year's winners, the Mazda team, are in sixth place.
19.06.92
LE MANS:- PROVISIONAL GRID POSITIONS AFTER FINAL QUALIFYING SESSION:
mins:secs
1 Baldi/Alliot/J'ille Peugeot 3:21.209 243.580 kph
2 Warwick/B'dell/D'mas Peugeot 3:22.512
3 Lees/Brabham/K'yama Toyota 3:26.411
4 Lammers/Wallace/Fabi Toyota 3:27.711
5 Sekiya/Acheson/R'nel Toyota 3:29.300
6 W'linger/Ferte/Poele Peugeot 3:31.250
7 Herbert/Weidler/G'ot Mazda 3:34.329
8 Reuter/Nielsen Porsche 3:36.317
9 Euser/Zwolsman/P'ja Lola 3:37.109
10 Sala/Yorino/Terada Mazda 3:38.930
11 Elgh/R'berger/Irvine Toyota 3:39.850
12 Frentzen/Matsuda/K's Lola 3:40.207
13 Wollek/P'rolo/Ricci Porsche 3:44.248
14 Brand/Robert/Fabre Porsche 3:44.888
15 Fouche/Andskar/J'son Toyota 3:44.984
16 Yver/Laessig/Al'bach Porsche 3:47.723
17 Bell/Bell/Needell Porsche 3:51.150
18 Donovan/R'kett/C'lli Porsche 3:52.538
19 Morin/Saldana/Yvon Porsche 3:55.765
20 Almeras/Almeras/C'en Porsche 3:57.455
21 Sheldon/Taverna/D've Ford 3:58.595
22 De Lesseps/Piper/J'b Ford 4:00.014
23 Taylor/T'vonen/Jones BRM 4:03.186
24 Harada/S'manura/Y'ka Ford 4:05.538
25 Hodgetts/Migault/L'f Ford 4:09.538
26 Randaccio/V'nata/Seb Ford 4:12.655
27 Gonin/Artzet Peugeot 4:28.693
28 Vita/Breuer/A'xander Peugeot 4:46.715
29 Bonnet/Tremblay/H'in Alfa Ro 4:49.010
30 Tourol/Pachot/C'rade Peugeot 5:06.789
The two Peugeots of Philippe Alliot and Yannick Dalmas held the first two
positions on the provisional grid. Alliot's record lap time set Wednesday was
not bettered but his French compatriot Dalmas, partnered by Derek Warwick and
Mark Blundell, took seven seconds off their previous time. Geoff Lees, in a
Toyota, also improved to keep third place, with the Lammers/Wallace/Fabi
Toyota 1.3 secs behind. Car number 60 has been withdrawn underweight and car
number nine, a BRM, will qualify the other two drivers in the warm-up and will
start the race.SHELL DONEGAL INTERNATIONAL RALLY Positions after stage 6: pens 1 McKinstry/P'pott Subaru Legacy 39.40 2 Fisher/Kennedy Subaru Legacy 39.43 3 McHale/O'Gorman Toyota GT4 40.20 4 Meagher/Maher Sierra Cos 40.50 5 Nesbitt/Murphy Metro 6R4 41.34 6 Emerson/Bee Bee Opel Manta 41.51 7 Price/Smith Metro 6R4 41.52 8 Greer/Reid Sierra Cos 41.54 9 Colbert/McVeigh Metro 6R4 42.07 10 A McRae/Senior Sierra Cos 42.09 20.06.92 LE MANS 24 HRS:- LEADERBOARD - AFTER 7 HOURS 1 Warwick/B'dell/Dalmas Peugeot 2 Baldi/Alliot/Jabouille Peugeot 3 Weidler/Herbert/Gachot Mazda 4 Acheson/R'hanel/S'ya Toyota 5 Wallace/Lammers/Fabi Toyota 6 Wollek/P'rolo/Ricci Cougar 7 Irvine/Ratz'berger/Elgh Toyota 8 Sala/Terada/Yorino Mazda 9 Reuter/Nielsen/L'ggi Porsche 10 Fouche/Andskar/J'son ToyotaBritons Derek Warwick, Mark Blundell and Frenchman Yannick Dalmas captured the lead in their Peugeot on lap 25. Pit stops for Volker Weidler's Mazda, who had charged into the lead in the first half-hour, and the Peugeot of Philippe Alliot/Mauro Baldi/Jean-Pierre Jabouille saw the lead change hands several times. But Car number one settled at the front as the track started to dry out and the weather improved with Blundell taking his first driving stint after 4.5 hours. After six hours they had a 1.5 mins lead over their Toyota teammates (lap 87).
Wayne Taylor lost all the gears in the BRM and was pushed off the track by marshalls. He eventually managed to get it back to his pit crew. Heinz-Harald Frentzen's Lola had an unscheduled stop to repair the dashboard display. He was also suffering gearbox problems. Andy Wallace took over in the Toyota from Jan Lammers after just nine laps. The Dutchman said conditions were "very dangerous" and overtaking was "Russian roulette". There were seven lead changes in the first hour of the race.
Alain Ferte's Peugeot crashed into the back of Geoff Lees' Toyota approaching the first chicane, on the exit of the Terte Rouge. Both cars limped to the pits where Ferte was treated for shock. "I couldn't see anything so I drove down the straight in fourth gear but the Peugeot just hit me up the back," said Lees. "There is oil all over the track - the conditions are atrocious." Ferte's car lost 43 minutes in the pits undergoing repairs.
The track started to dry out in the third hour but the weather remained gloomy and chilly. The Euroracing Lola of Dutchmen Cor Euser, Charles Zwolsman and Spaniard Jesus Pareja was forced to retire with a stripped gearbox out on the circuit. De Lesseps' Chamberlain Spice suffered gearbox problems during the fifth hour and consequently the FIA Cup lead went to the Spice of John Sheldon. The Bells, and Tiff Needell, lost two hours trying to cure the brake problem on their ADA Porsche and have dropped out of classified timing.
The Japanese crewed Chamberlain Spice officially retired out on the circuit with electrical failure between the six and seventh hour of the race. Wayne Taylor is persisting with the BRM despite a fire adding to his earlier gear selector problems. As the only driver in the team he can only drive for 14 hours and is alternating his driving shifts with breaks. After six hours racing, 21 cars had survived, but had gone back onto full wet tyres as the rain returned to the Sarthe circuit.
The Cougar Porsche of Marco Brand, Lionel Robert and Pascal Fabre crashed at Terte Rouge on their 77th lap and were forced to retire. Patrick Gonin and Didier Artzet's Spider retired with suspension problems on their 42nd lap while their fellow Frenchmen in the Debora Alfa only managed 25 laps before clutch problems forced them from the race.
SHELL DONEGAL INTERNATIONAL RALLY Positions after stage 18 pens 1 Fisher/Kennedy Subaru Leg 2:07:30 2 McKinstry/P'pott Subaru Leg 2:08.20 3 McHale/O'Gorman Toyota GT4 2:11.19 4 Meagher/Maher Sierra Cos 2:11.51 5 Nesbitt/Murphy Metro 6R4 2:13.20 6 Price/Smith Metro 6R4 2:14.06 7 Greer/Reid Sierra Cos 2:14.14 8 Emerson/Bee Bee Opel Manta 2:15.11 9 A McRae/Senior Sierra Cos 2:15.34 10 Colbert/McVeigh Metro 6R4 2:16.50 KERRIDGE SEVERN VALLEY RALLY : MINTEX NATIONAL SERIES: round four Final positions after 11 stages: pens 1 Burns/Reid Subaru Legacy 81.56 2 Grierson/Merry Metro 6R4 83.08 3 Easson/Cook Sapphire Cos 83.57 4 Bell/James Sierra Cos 85.45 5 Middleton/Mills Celica GT4 86:07 6 Dodd/McAuley Sapphire 4x4 86.25 7 Churchill/Taylor Porsche 911 87.27 8 Watson/Connelly Metro 6R4 87.31 9 Hierns/Watson Sierra 4x4 88.07 10 Smith/Hughes Lancia Delta 88.25David Mann, second in the Championship one point behind leader Bill Barton, lost three minutes when he rolled his Toyota Celica on stage 1. Richard Gough retired on stage 4 after an accident in his Ford Escort. He had been lying second after three stages. Jeremy Easson slipped back to third after a puncture on stage 5 in his Ford Sierra.
F3:- Brazilian Osvaldo Negri claimed pole position for the ninth round of the British Formula 3 Championship at Donington Park on Sunday. Formula 3 Championship leader Gil de Ferran was second fastest with Phillipe Adams securing third place on the grid.
TOURING CAR:- Will Hoy, in a Toyota Carina is on pole for Donington Park's double round of the Esso RAC Touring Car Championship. Steve Soper took his BMW into second spot on the grid with Tim Harvey third.
21.06.92 LE MANS 24 HRS. FULL RESULT: 1 Warwick/B'dell/D'mas Peugeot 352 laps 2,974 miles, 123.89 mph 2 Acheson/R'hanel/S'ya Toyota 6 laps 3 Baldi/Alliot/J'ille Peugeot 7 laps 4 Weidler/Herbert/G'ot Mazda 16 laps 5 Fouche/Andskar/J'son Toyota 16 laps 6 Wollek/P'rolo/Ricci Porsche 17 laps 7 Reuter/Nielsen/L'ggi Porsche 18 laps 8 Wallace/Lammers/Fabi Toyota 21 laps 9 Irvine/R'berger/Elgh Toyota 31 laps 10 Yver/Lassig/Alt'bach Porsche 55 laps 11 Donovan/Rickett/C'li Porsche 55 laps 12 Bell/Bell/Needell Porsche 68 laps 13 F'zen/Matsuda/Kasuya Lola 81 laps 14 D'Lesseps/Piper/J'li Spice 94 laps 15 Harada/Sh'mura/Y'awa Spice n/c WORLD SPORTSCAR CHAMPIONSHIP Standings after Round Three TEAM 1 Peugeot 95 2 Toyota 50 3 Mazda 25 DRIVERS 1 D Warwick GB 75 = Y Dalmas Fr 75 3 K Acheson GB 30 = M Sekiya Jpn 30 = JP Raphanel Fr 30Derek Warwick, Mark Blundell and Yannick Dalmas gave Peugeot their first ever victory at Le Mans with a brilliant display over 24 hours. The two Britons and the Frenchman took the lead in the second hour and totally dominated the race with superbly controlled driving. Kenneth Acheson, Masamori Sekiya and Jean-Pierre Raphanel in the Toyota held on to second place from the pole Peugeot of Philippe Alliot, Mauro Baldi and Jean-Pierre Jabouille. Just one lap separated them for the last five hours but Toyota hung on.
Britain's Derek Warwick claimed victory in the Peugeot with 23 minutes of the 24 hours remaining to clinch the first win for a French car for 12 years. Warwick took the chequered flag following a faultless display by the team, started by Yannick Dalmas and backed up by Mark Blundell. Volker Weidler in the Mazda snatched the lead in the first half-hour, incurring Warwick's wrath for his aggressive driving in appalling weather. But he calmed down and took the lead on lap 25 after pit stops held up Mazda and the Peugeot of Philippe Alliot.
Derek Warwick was overcome with elation after winning his first-ever Le Mans 24 hour race in the Peugeot 905. "I've never experienced emotion like that on a rostrum," he said. "It was very special to win with Yannick and Mark, the team had done a lot of preparation. "I can't believe it. It's the most incredible thing to happen in my whole career," he declared. "The car was very good in the last stint, I was taking it around like a taxi driver," he added. "It will probably hit me what has happened later - when I'm drunk."
Britain's Mark Blundell admitted he was worried driving the Peugeot in the bad weather on Saturday night. "It was very difficult, the conditions were poor. I was concerned not to put a foot wrong because it was Yannick's and Derek's car," he said. Kenny Acheson, the British driver in the second placed Toyota, said the early rain put paid to their chances. "The wet conditions didn't suit the Toyota. The race was really lost for us in the first 8-10 hours. But it's very good for the championship to have three 3.5 litre cars on the podium."
The Chamberlain Spice of Ferdinand De Lesseps, Richard Piper and Olindo Jacobelli won the FIA Cup award giving the Frenchman a hat-trick this season. De Lesseps triumphed at Monza and Silverstone and is the most successful driver in world sportscars this year. Despite problems early in the race, the 3.5 DFZ was the only car in the class to finish, 94 laps behind the winner. The Japanese crewed Chamberlain dished out heavy treatment to their Ford and although they limped round to the end, they were too far behind to be clasified in the final standings.
Dutchman Jan Lammers scorched to a new lap record in the Toyota Team Tom's TSO10, clocking 3 mins 33.405 secs round the 13.6 km track at an average of 229.423kph. Lammers took advantage of the improved conditions as the rain stopped and the track dried out on Sunday morning. His time was 2.1 secs quicker than Michael Schumacher's in the 5-litre twin-turbocharged Mercedes C11 recorded last year. Lammers charge came after the team had dropped from third to eighth with clutch problems.
Philippe Alliot had to be content with third place in his Peugeot after twice digging into the gravel and losing valuable time. The Frenchman, driving with compatriot Jean-Pierre Jabouille and Italian Mauro Baldi, had started the race from pole position on Saturday afternoon. Alliot was two laps behind the leading Peugeot after 14 hours (200 laps) but then crashed at the first chicane, losing four laps. He rejoined the race and immediately crashed again and the resultant broken suspension dropped them to fifth place.
Last year's winners Mazda made a spectacular start but were dogged by various problems and were happy to finish in fourth place. German Volker Weidler took the lead on the fifth lap after passing both Peugeots in outbraking manouevres going into the final chicane. They changed windscreens three times in an effort to improve visibility and a broken gearlever added to their misery. "Last year we had a car we could drive to the limit and not break down," said Weidler. "This year we had two gears go so when we finished we were happy."
The worst crash of the 60th Le Mans happened in the second hour of the race as torrential rain played havoc with handling and visibility. Alain Ferte's Peugeot ploughed into the back of Geoff Lees' Toyota approaching the first chicane on the exit of the Terte Rouge. "I couldn't see anything so I drove down the straight in fourth gear but the Peugeot just hit me up the back," said Lees. "There was oil all over the track - the conditions were atrocious." Both cars suffered considerable damage and time in the pits ended their bids.
The Cougar Porsche of Marco Brand, Lionel Robert and Pascal Fabre crashed at Terte Rouge on their 77th lap and were forced to retire. The Toyota of Geoff Lees, David Brabham and Ukyo Katayama and Karl Wendlinger, Alain Ferte and Eric van de Poele's Peugeot both retired with engine failure in the 17th hour. The two had tangled in the second hour but had battled back to be 11th and 10th respectively. Philippe Alliot's Peugeot spent 10 mins in the pits with a broken gearbox with nearly 19 hours gone.
The Cougar Porsche of Denis Morin, Thomas Saldana and Jean-Francois Yvon became the first retirement due to engine failure, after 12 hours. Dutchman Charles Zwolsman switched to the surviving Lola-Judd but crashed it during the 14th hour. The front end had to be rebuilt. Juergen Laessig crashed the Obermaier Porsche heavily at Indianapolis after a suspected rear tyre failure (11th hour). The damage was repaired in 90 minutes. Volker Weidler had 'words' with Tiff Needell in the ADA Porsche after they collided at the Mulsanne corner.
OFFICIAL RETIREMENTS: CAR NO DRIVERS CAR LAP 30 Migault/Hodgetts/L'f TDR Spice dns 9 Taylor/T'vonen/Jones BRM 20 61 Bonnet/Tremblay/B'in Alfa 25 58 Gonin/Artzet Spider 42 3 Zwolm'n/Euser/Pareja Lola-Judd 50 55 Brand/Robert/Fabre Cougar 77 66 Alexander/B'er/Vita Spider 78 68 Almeras/Almeras/O'ar Porsche 85 29 R'ccio/S'brace/V'ata Tiga 102 6 Sala/Yorino/Terada Mazda 124 56 Morin/Saldana/Yvon Cougar 142 21 Sheldon/Taverna/Gini Spice 150 7 Lees/Brabham/K'ayama Toyota 192 31 W'linger/Ferte/Poele Peugeot 208 22.06.92TOURING CAR:- Will Hoy won the first round at Donington Park, with Cleland finishing second. Tim Harvey won the second race, with Hoy finishing second, Soper third, and Cleland fourth. Cleland retains his lead in the championship.
F3:- Gil de Ferran won the race, with Osvaldo Negri second.
23.06.92 - LE MANSThe organisers of the Le-Mans 24-Hours race have said they are parting with FISA after a disappointimg turnout for the famous endurance race last weekend. The Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) said they will breakaway "both in sporting and financial matters in order to guarantee the future of the race." Only 28 cars - the lowest entry since 1932 - took part in the race and spectator figures were down by 60,000. The race was readmitted into the world sportscar championship this year after two-year ban over a row about TV rights.
24.06.92 Formula One tyre test for British Grand Prix at Silverstone (pm): 1 N Mansell GB Williams 1:21.09 2 M Schumacher Ger Benetton 1:23.04 3 R Patrese It Williams 1:23.74 4 M Brundle GB Benetton 1:23.92 5 A Senna Brz McLaren 1:24.05 6 A De Cesaris It Tyrrell 1:25.03 7 S Modena It Jordan 1:25.51 8 G Berger Aut McLaren 1:25.55 9 M Alboreto It Footwork 1:25.92 10 G Tarquini It Fondmetal 1:26.14FISA are to introduce a series of wide-ranging measures in a bid to make F1 racing "more attractive". The British GP next month will see safety cars used if a race is halted for safety reasons - a plan similar to the "pace cars" used in US Indy racing. And, from next season, the introduction of reduced rear wings, narrower wheels, compulsory tyre changes and an unleaded cheap fuel will be implemented. The measures are designed to slow down the cars' cornering speed and introduce a closer and more exciting race.
The Mexican Grand Prix has been axed from next year's Formula 1 calendar, according to a draft calendar released by the World Motor Sport Council. It has been replaced by an Asian Grand Prix at Autopolis, in Japan, on April 4 which has been negotiating for an event for over two years. That means two Grands Prix will be held in Japan next year as the Japanese Grand Prix continues as the penultimate race of the season at Suzuka. The British Grand Prix retains its traditional date on July 11.
Provisional 1993 Formula One calendar: Feb 28 South African GP (Kyalami) Mar 14 Brazilian GP (Interlagos) Apr 4 Asian GP (Autopolis, Japan) Apr 25 San Marino GP (Imola) May 9 Spanish GP (Barcelona) May 23 Monaco GP (Monte Carlo) Jun 13 Canadian GP (Montreal) July 4 French GP (Magny Cours) Jul 11 British GP (Silverstone) Jul 25 German GP (Hockenheim) Aug 15 Hungarian GP (Budapest) Aug 29 Belgium GP (Spa Francorchamps) Sep 12 Italian GP (Monza) Sep 26 Portuguese GP (Estoril) Oct 24 Japanese GP (Suzuka) Nov 7 Australian GP (Adelaide)NEW ZEALAND RALLY:- Carlos Sainz has an excellent chance to recapture the championship lead after the seventh round of the series. The 1990 world champion from Spain is the only one of the top six in current standings to enter the event. Having won the last two rallies here, he is well placed to go 15 points clear of Juha Kankkunen and Didier Auriol. Scotland's Colin McRae, in a Subaru Legacy, will be his main challenger. The route is mainly on smooth, gravel roads and is regarded as relatively easy on cars.
25.06.92F1:- Nigel Mansell smashed the Silverstone lap record as he dominated the second day of a three-day tyre test in readiness for the British Grand Prix. Mansell, in his Williams Renault, clocked a best time of 1 min 20.560 secs to claim the unofficial outright lap record. His time was 0.4 seconds inside his pole time set at Silverstone last year, and over 2.5-seconds quicker than his nearest rival Michael Schumacher. Martin Brundle was fourth quickest but his Benetton had engine problems.
Formula One tyre test for British Grand Prix at Silverstone (Wed/Thurs):
mins secs
1 N Mansell GB Williams 1:20.56
2 M Schumacher Ger Benetton 1:23.04
3 R Patrese It Williams 1:23.74
4 M Brundle GB Benetton 1:23.92
5 A Senna Brz McLaren 1:24.05
6 G Berger Aut McLaren 1:24.33
7 B Gachot Bel Venturi 1:24.97
8 A DeCesaris It Tyrrell 1:25.03
9 J Alesi Fr Ferrari 1:25.14
10 M Alboreto It Footwork 1:25.16
NEW ZEALAND RALLY:- Scotland's Colin McRae was forced out with a blown head
gasket after making a great start on the first day of action in
Auckland. McRae, in the Subaru Legacy, was running in the top five and was
fastest on the second stage before hitting trouble on the gravel roads. Former
world champion Carlos Sainz quickly broke away from his rivals and opened up a
21-second lead at the end of the first day in his Toyota Celica. Veteran Ari
Vatanen was in second spot ahead of New Zealand's Possum Bourne.26.06.92F1:- Frenchman Jean Alesi survived a high-speed crash at Silverstone on the final day of testing for the British Grand Prix. Alesi, driving the Ferrari F92, lost control as he entered Beckitt's and thumped into barriers, splitting his helmet in the smash. He suffered a badly strained neck and a heavy blow to the head but is expected to be fit for the French Grand Prix. Nigel Mansell was quickest overall during the three days after clocking an unofficial lap record of 1:20.56.
Formula One tyre test for British Grand Prix at Silverstone (Wed/Fri):
mins secs
1 N Mansell GB Williams 1:20.36
2 R Patrese It Williams 1:22.59
3 M Schumacher Ger Benetton 1:23.04
4 G Berger Aut McLaren 1:23.49
5 M Brundle GB Benetton 1:23.92
6 J Alesi Fr Ferrari 1:23.94
7 A Senna Brz McLaren 1:24.05
8 B Gachot Fr Venturi 1:24.97
9 A DeCesaris It Tyrrell 1:25.03
10 M Alboreto It Footwork 1:25.16
NEW ZEALAND RALLY
Positions after second day: hr mins secs
1 C Sainz Sp Toyota Celica 2:54:56
2 P Liatti It Lancia Delta 2:55:39
3 R Dunkerton Aus Mitsubishi G 2:58:51
4 R Millen US Mazda 323 2:59:21
5 N Allport NZ Mazda 323 3:00:25
6 J McAndrew NZ Subaru Legacy 3:02:28
7 M Sundstrom Fin Lancia Delta 3:06:06
8 E Ordynski Aus Mitsubishi 3:07:57
9 Y Fujimoto Jap Nissan Pulsar 3:08:12
10 K Austin NZ Nissan 3:09:24
Spaniard Carlos Sainz overcame car trouble to retain the lead after an
incident-packed second day. Sainz, the 1990 world champion, lost 30 seconds
when his Toyota suffered a puncture on the day's fifth stage. Ari Vatanen
briefly took the lead in his Subaru but retired with a blown engine. Teammate
Possum Bourne suffered a similar fate, having closed the gap on Sainz from 22
seconds to eight. Sainz tackled smoking brakes, leaking oil and tyre problems
but recovered to win the last five stages and lead Piero Liatto in a Lancia by
43 seconds.27.06.92 NEW ZEALAND RALLY Positions after third day: hr mins secs 1 C Sainz Sp Toyota Celica 5:53:35 2 P Liatti It Lancia Delta 5:57:59 3 R Dunkerton Aus Mitsubishi G 6:01:25 4 R Millen US Mazda 323 6:03:07 5 J McAndrew NZ Subaru Legacy 6:10:53 6 M Sundstrom Fin Lancia Delta 6:17:08 7 E Ordynski Aus Mitsubishi 6:20:20 8 Y Fujimoto Jap Nissan Pulsar 6:22:51 9 W Orr NZ Subaru Legacy 6:25:45 10 S Taguchi Jap Mitsubushi G 6 27:15Spaniard Carlos Sainz looks set to take the lead in the world standings after shaking off his rivals in New Zealand with just one day remaining. Sainz, in a works Toyota Celica, leads by almost 4.5 minutes from Lancia driver Piero Liatti of Italy. The 1990 world champion now only needs to survive seven special stages over 45 miles to clinch victory and open up a 15-point lead in the championship. Current world leader Juha Kankkunen of Finland is not competing in New Zealand.
F3:- Championship leader Gil de Ferran qualified third fastest behind fellow Reynard driver Osvaldo Negri and Elton Julian in a Ralt, for Sunday's British Formula Three Championship race at Snetterton.
F2:- Billericay driver Mark Albon was fastest of five drivers all unofficially breaking the Brands Hatch lap record in practice for round five of the Halfords British F2 Championship.