October 1992


01.10.92
F1:- Nigel Mansell's new career as an Indy car racer could be delayed by up to four weeks if he decides to have an operation on an old foot injury. Britain's world champion, who is to retire from Formula One at the end of the season, was seen limping after his record win in Portugal last Sunday. He has been troubled by the long-term effects of a karting accident 19 years ago and has pencilled in December for surgery to remove a small bone. This could mean a delay to his first test drive in a 240mph IndyCar and the start of his new life in the USA.

SPORTSCARS:- The World Sportscar Championship is to be axed in 1993 and replaced with a series of GT races, ending 40 years of global sportscar racing. FISA president Max Mosley is expected to confirm the end of the road for the ailing championship, which has seen low entries and cancelled races. "We'll have to forget about a Group C championship," said Mosley. "The cars won't be here next year. Our priorities are to get our GT rules sorted out. The first races will be at Daytona and Sebring."




02.10.92
F1:- Alain Prost was full of praise for his Williams car despite being outshone by Damon Hill after three days of testing at the Estoril circuit in Portugal. Englishman Hill, the official Williams test driver, clocked 1 min 14.19 secs to eclipse Prost, who recorded the day's second best time of 1:14.80. But Prost, who will replace Nigel Mansell for Williams in Formula One next year, was impressed with the drive. "The car is very comfortable and well-balanced, but I can't push it to its limits. I don't yet know it," he said.

Italian Nicola Larini is to drive for Ferrari in place of Ivan Capelli for this season's last two Grands Prix. Larini, 28, who has been a Ferrari test driver this season, has driven for Coloni in 1987 and gained experience with Osella and Ligier. Capelli will miss the Australian and Japanese Grands Prix after being dismissed earlier than expected. Austrian Gerhard Berger will race for Ferrari next year, alongside Frenchman Jean Alesi.

TOURING CARS:- The Esso RAC British Touring Car event hots up this weekend with just four points separating the leaders before the final round at Silverstone. Tim Harvey, in a BMW 318is, is three points behind championship leader John Cleland (Vauxhall Cavalier) but looks unstoppable after five straight wins. Defending champion Will Hoy, a point behind Harvey, is also in with a good chance in his Toyota Carina. The championship has been boosted by the news that Renault UK is to enter the 1993 championship.





03.10.92
TOURING CARS:- Andy Rouse grabbed pole spot for the final round of the Esso RAC Touring Car Championship at Silverstone as rain caused final qualifying to be abandoned. Rouse, in his Toyota, was 0.41 seconds quicker than second fastest Jeff Allam in his Vauxhall Cavalier. Championship leader John Cleland was in seventh place while title challengers Tim Harvey (BMW) and Will Hoy (Toyota) were 12th and ninth respectively. Practice was called off as conditions deteriorated but the programme will start at 10.30am Sunday to allow qualifying for other classes.


ESSO RAC BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP - FINAL ROUND
Qualifying times at Silverstone:mins secs
 1 A Rouse    Toyota Carina     2:19.27
 2 J Allam    Vauxhall Cavalier 2:20.08
 3 J Bailey   Toyota Carina     2:20.22
 4 S Soper    BMW 318is         2:20.28
 5 R Gravett  Peugeot 405 Mi16  2:20.50
 6 D Leslie   Vauxhall Cavalier 2:20.50
 7 J Cleland  Vauxhall Cavelier 2:20.53
 8 J Kaye     Toyota Carina     2:20.64
 9 W Hoy      Toyota Carina     2:21.26
10 K Nissen   BMW 318is         2:22.21
11 K Cook     Nissan Primera    2:22.25
12 T Harvey   BMW 318is         2:22.27
 Second session was cancelled

F3:- Andre Ribeiro starts on pole for the British F3 Championship race at Silverstone after a superb lap of 2 mins 08.42 secs in his Reynard 923. He was more than two seconds faster than Gil de Ferran who lines up alongside him after clocking 2:10.73. Osvaldo Negri (2:10.97) was third best ahead of Scott Lakin (2:11.13) who was fastest of the Ralt RT36 drivers. The second practice session was cancelled due to heavy rain.





04.10.92
NEWS: DENNY HULME DIES:- The 1967 world Formula One champion Denny Hulme died during the Bathurst 1000 motor endurance race in Australia on Sunday, after a heart attack. Race officials said that Hulme hit an embankment in his BMW at slow speed during heavy rain on lap 33 of the 161-lap race at the track west of Sydney. Witnesses said his car coasted gently off the circuit before hitting the embankment. Hospital officials said he died of a massive heart attack. Hulme, 56, took part in 112 Grand Prix races between 1965 and 1974.

TOURING CAR:- Tim Harvey lifted the Esso RAC British Touring Championship title after a hard-fought final round at Silverstone. Harvey in a BMW finished fourth, well clear of Championship rival Will Hoy while the third contender John Cleland failed to finish after an accident with Harvey's teammate Steve Soper. The three title-chasing drivers started well down the field after heavy rain had hit Saturday qualifying. This led to a fierce battle as they fought to make up places during the 15-lap race. Touring car veteran Andy Rouse clinched the 60th win of his career in a Toyota.

ESSO RAC BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP - FINAL ROUND RESULT
                              mins secs
 1 A Rouse   Toyota Carina     30:58.16
 2 J Allam   Vauxhall Cavalier 30:58.26
 3 D Leslie  Vauxhall Cavalier 30:58.88
 4 T Harvey  BMW 318is         31:03.25
 5 W Hoy     Toyota Carina     31:05.66
 6 T Sugden  BMW 318is         31:07.45
Fastest lap at Silverstone: S Soper (BMW 318is) 2:01.88, 95.9mph
Final Championship positions:1 Harvey    152     1 Vauxhall 136
                             2 Hoy       149
                             3 J Cleland 145

F.OPEL/VAUXHALL LOTUS:- Brazil set the pace in the two-car team Nations Cup competition at Estoril in Portugal during Sunday warm-up. Sweden, Holland and Switzerland were also among the leading times in preparation for the Opel Lotus/Vauxhall Lotus event.

F.RENAULT:- Pedro Martinez de la Rosa won the œ150,000 Formula Renault single seater championship at Brands Hatch after an all-Spanish battle with Minister International teammate Ivan Arias. De la Rosa finished fourth in the final round which was won by Swede Joakim Ward. Londoner Harry Nuttall was fifth to clinch third place in the series.

F.VAUXHALL LOTUS:- Piers Hunnisett claimed victory in the final race of the Formula Vauxhall Lotus Championship at Silverstone, taking the overall championship title in the process.





07.09.92
F1:- A British driver either Martin Brundle or Damon Hill looks set to join Alain Prost in the Williams Formula One team next season. Team boss Frank Williams has ruled out signing Ayrton Senna or retaining Riccardo Patrese as his No 2 driver. "It is not easy to choose," Williams is reported as saying. "Do we play safe (with Brundle) or say 'to hell with it, let's be adventurous' (and sign Hill)." The final decision may not be made until the end of the month.


FORMULA ONE RACE CALENDAR (PROPOSED)
28 February  South Africa       Kyalami
14 March     Brazil          Interlagos
 4 April     Asia (Japan)     Autopolis
25 April     San Marino           Imola
 9 May       Spain            Barcelona
23 May       Monaco              Monaco
13 June      Canada            Montreal
 4 July      France         Magny-Cours
11 July      Britain        Silverstone
25 July      Germany         Hockenheim
15 August    Hungary           Budapest
29 August    Belgium  Spa Francorchamps
12 September Italy                Monza
26 September Portugal           Estoril
24 October   Japan               Suzuka
 7 November  Australia         Adelaide
SPORTSCARS:- Next year's world sportscar championship has been formally cancelled by the International Motor Sports Federation. FISA said the decision was made "due to the extremely small number of manufacturers interested in entering". President Max Mosley is now pinning his hopes on a new GT Formula series to replace the sportscar events. He said GT races would be held in Daytona and Sebring next season. Mosley, meanwhile, has been unanimously re-elected for a four-year term.





11.10.92
F2:- Italy's Massimo Monti won a rain-hit final round of the British Formula Two Championship at Donington Park. He clocked 33 mins, 36.07secs in his Reynard, with Ollson of Sweden second and newly crowned world champion Yves Muller, who set a new lap record with an average speed of 110.56mph, sixth.

F3000:- Luca Badoer won the ninth round of the FIA International Formula 3000 championship in Nogaro. He leads the championship by 12 points from Andrea Montermini with Rubens Barrichello a further nine points back.





12.10.92 - THE SAN REMO RALLY
World championship leader Didier Auriol crashed out of the event on the first stage after losing a wheel. The Frenchman, bidding for his seventh win of the season, was 2km from the end of stage one when the wheel studs broke on his offside front wheel and he slid off the road. Auriol had won in San Remo for the last two years. Lancia driver Andrea Aghini took the early lead and remained ahead of Francois Delecour after posting the fastest time on stage six.


Positions after 8 stages:     hrs:mins.secs
 1 A Aghini    It   Lancia      1:46.34
 2 F Delecour  Fr   Ford       @   0.34
 3 J Kankkunen Fin  Lancia     @   1.21
 4 M Biasion   It   Ford       @   1.53
 5 G Cunico    It   Ford       @   2.11
 6 P Deila     It   Lancia     @   4.30
 7 A Fiorio    It   Lancia     @   4.43
 8 P Liatti    It   Lancia     @   5.53
 9 C Baroni    Fr   Lancia     @   6.08
10 G Pian'zola It   Lancia     @   7.37




13.10.92
F1:- Britain's Martin Brundle faces an uncertain Formula One team future after being rejected as Nigel Mansell's replacement by the Canon-Williams team. Brundle, who has consistently scored points for the Camel Benetton Ford this season, has now been dropped from both both Benetton's and Williams' plans. "Frank Williams has told me quite categorically that he can't offer me anything for next season," said Brundle. Brundle has also been linked with Ligier while the mystery deepens as to who will drive for Williams next year.

SAN REMO RALLY:- Finn Juha Kankkunen snatched the lead from Italian Andrea Aghini on the last stage of the day and now leads the event by just two seconds. France's Francois Delecour and Italy's Miki Biasion, the two drivers of the Ford Sierra team, both trail the Finn by over a minute. Kankkunen is currently third in the championship and is bidding to make up ground on leader Didier Auriol. The Frenchman retired during the opening stage of this year's event when he spun off after losing a wheel.


Positions after 16 stages:   hrs:mins.secs
 1 J Kankkunen Fin  Lancia      4:12.51
 2 A Aghini    It   Lancia      4:12.53
 3 F Delecour  Fr   Ford        4:14.16
 4 M Biasion   It   Ford        4:14.40
 5 A Fiorio    It   Lancia      4:19.13
 6 P Deila     It   Lancia      4:20.17
 7 P Liatti    It   Lancia      4:20.24
 8 G Pian'zola It   Lancia      4:25.51
 9 G Cunico    It   Ford        4:28.45
10 C Baroni    Fr   Lancia      4:31.59




14.10.92 - SAN REMO RALLY

Final positions after 25 stages:
                              hrs:mins.secs
 1 A Aghini    It   Lancia      5:52.11
 2 J Kankkunen Fin  Lancia      5:52.51
 3 F Delecour  Fr   Ford        5:53.53
 4 M Biasion   It   Ford        5:54.06
 5 A Fiorio    It   Lancia      6.00.58
 6 G Pian'zola It   Lancia      6.08.13
 7 P Liatti    It   Lancia      6:13.28
 8 M Baroni    Fr   Lancia      6:15.50
 9 B Thiry     Bel  Opel        6:37.39
10 G Manf'nato It   Ford        6:42.18




15.10.92 - SAN REMO RALLY
Italian Andrea Aghini scored his first victory in a World Championship event on home ground after three days of intense competition. He completed the event with 40 seconds in hand over Lancia teammate Juha Kankkunen, whose 15 points keep his world title hopes alive. The Finn is now just 13 points behind overall leader Didier Auriol, who went out on the first stage on Monday after damaging a wheel on his car. The next round takes place in Spain from November 7-12.

After San Remo rally:

DRIVERS
1 D Auriol    Fr   Lancia    120 pts
2 J Kankkunen Fin  Lancia    107
3 C Sainz     Sp   Toyota    104
4 M Biasion   It   Ford       52
5 F Delecour  Fr   Ford       45

MANUFACTURERS
1 Lancia                     140 pts
2 Toyota                     108
3 Ford                        84
4 Subaru                      43
5 Mitsubishi                  38




18.10.92
SPORTSCARS:- Philippe Alliot and Mauro Baldi led home Peugeot teammates Christophe Bouchut and Eric Helary to win the 500kms race at Magny Cours, final round of the 1992 series. The two Tom's Toyotas were third and fourth as all eight starters completed the race.

INDYCAR:- Michael Andretti starts on pole in his Lola-Ford for the Monterey GP race, final round of the IndyCar Championship.

F3000:- Andrew Gilbert-Scott was fourth in a Lola in the 10th round of the All Japan F3000 championship in Gotemba. Paulo Carcasci (Reynard) was ninth, with Eddie Irvine (Lola) 11th.





20.10.92 - F1
The Williams Formula One team will not name their second driver for 1993 until the end of the current season. Frenchman Alain Prost has already been signed to replace world champion Nigel Mansell and there has been intense speculation who will be his teammate. But team boss Frank Williams, speaking at the Birmingham International Motor Show, said no announcement would be made until after the Australian GP. He confirmed that he would still like a British driver for 1993, boosting Damon Hill's hopes of securing the seat.





21.10.92 - JOHN WATSON ON THE JAPANESE GRAND PRIX
The penultimate round of the 1992 World Championship takes place at Suzuka on Sunday and for the majority of teams it signals the end of what has been a difficult season. The sheer dominance by the Williams team has highlighted the ridiculous situation of the drivers' championship being won in the middle of August. I suspect whatever method of counting championship points, Nigel Mansell would still have been world champion. This has tended to take the shine off the last few Grands Prix, since the championship was decided.

World champion Nigel Mansell will be looking to claim his first-ever win on the Suzuka circuit - his last chance before turning to Indycars next season. It would be his 10th victory of the season and set him up to end the year in style at Adelaide, where he will also be seeking his first victory. Mansell's teammate Riccardo Patrese has twice finished on the podium at Suzuka, second in 1989 and third last year, and if Mansell fails, the Italian could score his first win of 1992.

In my mind nothing should be capable of approaching the Williams-Renault in Suzuka this weekend. Yet again the biggest battle will be between Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher and Riccardo Patrese, all of whom are fighting for runner-up spot in this year's championship. There have been a couple of driver changes for the Japanese Grand Prix. Nicola Larini, a Ferrari test driver and former GP driver has been brought in to replace Ivan Capelli while Jan Lammers returns to the Formula One cockpit with the March team.

Ivan Capelli's disappointing season was terminated after Portugal and Ferrari have replaced him with Nicola Larini. While Larini is unlikely to be significantly quicker than Capelli, he joins the team with a more positive outlook having not had to suffer 14 outings in the wayward Ferrari F92A. Larini may test their version of an active suspension but I cannot imagine either version being competitive here. Unless we have a wet race, when Jean Alesi's outstanding ability in the rain can overcome any deficiency with the car. He's a joy to watch in the rain.

The other new face this weekend is in fact an old one from Formula One in the early 1980s as Jan Lammers joins the March team. Although he has not had a great deal of testing time in the car knows the Suzuka circuit very well indeed. He has spent many hours testing and racing for the Toyota Sportscar team as well as having a season in Japanese Formula 3000 in 1991. That knowledge could prove extremely valuable to the under-financed March team.

The Suzuka circuit is one of the most difficult on the Formula One calendar and represents one of the biggest physical challenges of the year. A driver's neck is the muscle that suffers most while the brain also undergoes a severe test. Suzuka is a difficult circuit on which to overtake and working out where and when requires both intelligence and commitment. There is unlikely to be any hard news regarding driver changes but expect some news about teams changing engines for the 1993 season.

RALLYING NEWS:- Top woman driver Louise Aitken-Walker is to retire from competitive driving after this weekend's Midland Rally. She took up the sport after winning Ford's "Find a Lady Rally Driver" competition in 1979 and became women's world champion two years ago. The 32-year-old was top British driver by finishing tenth in the 1991 Lombard RAC rally and was awarded an MBE in the Queen's New Year Honours list. "This is not a rash decision but made after realising I have achieved all my ambitions in motor sport," she said.





22.10.92 - F1
Derek Warwick's return to Formula One after a two-year absence is expected to be confirmed at Suzuka on Friday. The 38-year-old world sportscars champion is set to drive for the Milton Keynes-based Footwork team in 1993. He has recently been testing for the team at Estoril and Silverstone and is likely to replace Italian Michele Alboreto in their driver line-up. Warwick has had spells with Toleman, Renault, Brabham, Arrows and Lotus during his Grand Prix career.

The Jordan Formula One team are to end their engine deal with Yamaha after next month's Australian Grand Prix. The team signed a four-year deal with Yamaha for V12 engines in September 1991 but the deal has failed to bring them success this season. Maurizio Gugelmin's seventh place at the San Marino Grand Prix in May was Jordan's best finish of the year. A joint statement said both companies had "experienced difficulties and disappointments" during the year.

Jordan have now got to find a new engine for 1993 after ending their partnership with Yamaha. The obvious options are the Ford HB, the new Brian Hart V10 engine or the Ilmor V10 which the Tyrrell and March teams have both used this year. It is believed that as Yamaha depart from Jordan, they are in discussion with Tyrrell for next year. Whether it will be with their current V12 engine or a surprise V10 package remains to be seen.





23.10.92 - THE JAPANESE GRAND PRIX
World champion Nigel Mansell claimed provisional pole for Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix despite a spin in Suzuka. Mansell rounded the 3.665-mile circuit in 1 min 37.360 secs in his Williams Renault, with teammate Riccardo Patrese second fastest in 1:38.219. Ayrton Senna was third quickest in 1:38.375 in the new V-12 engined McLaren Honda. Germany's Michael Schumacher, Senna's closest rival for overall runners-up spot in the championship, was fifth fastest in the Benetton in 1:40.922.

Derek Warwick's return to Grand Prix racing with Footwork has been confirmed, replacing Italian veteran Michele Alboreto in the team. The 38-year-old Jersey-based sportscar world champion was officially announced at the prinicle driver alongside Aguri Suzuki for 1993. Warwick, who has been out of Formula One for two years, said: "I am delighted to be able to return with a competitive team. I feel most fortunate and excited to get back into Formula One."


FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Friday qualifying for Japanese GP:
                              mins secs
 1 N Mansell    GB  Williams   1:37.360
 2 R Patrese    It  Williams   1:38.219
 3 A Senna      Brz McLaren    1:38.375
 4 G Berger     Aut McLaren    1:40.296
 5 M Schumacher Ger Benetton   1:40.922
 6 J Herbert    GB  Lotus      1:41.030
 7 M Hakkinen   Fin Lotus      1:41.415
 8 E Comas      Fr  Ligier     1:42.187
 9 A de Cesaris It  Tyrrell    1:42.361
10 T Boutsen    Bel Ligier     1:42.428
11 N Larini     It  Ferrari    1:42.488
12 C Fittipaldi Brz Minardi    1:42.626
13 M Brundle    GB  Benetton   1:42.617
14 G Morbidelli It  Minardi    1:42.627
15 J Alesi      Fr  Ferrari    1:42.824
16 A Suzuki     Jpn Footwork   1:43.029
17 S Modena     It  Jordan     1:43.117
18 B Gachot     Bel Venturi    1:43.156
19 P Martini    It  Dallara    1:43.251
20 U Katayama   Jpn Venturi    1:43.488
21 O Grouillard Fr  Tyrrell    1:43.941
22 JJ Lehto     Fin Dallara    1:44.037
23 J Lammers    Hol March      1:44.075
24 M Alboreto   It  Footwork   1:44.149
25 M Gugelmin   Brz Jordan     1:44.253
26 E Naspetti   It  March      1:47.303




24.10.92 - THE JAPANESE GRAND PRIX
World champion Nigel Mansell claimed the 30th pole position of his career after a rain-hit second qualifying session at Suzuka. The wet conditions limited the session to just 45 minutes and none of the 26 drivers were able to improve on their opening qualifying times. Mansell, who rounded the 3.665-mile circuit in 1 min 37.360 secs on Friday, is on pole for the 13th time this year. Williams teammate Riccardo Patrese starts second on the grid with Ayrton Senna third.




25.10.92

FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP:
Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka
Result after 53 laps:       hr mins secs
 1 R Patrese    It   Williams  1:33:09   (average speed 224.981 kph)
 2 G Berger     Aut  McLaren   1:33:23
 3 M Brundle    GB   Benetton  1:34:25
 4 A De Cesaris It   Tyrrell   @ 1 lap
 5 J Alesi      Fr   Ferrari   @ 1 lap
 6 C Fittipaldi Brz  Minardi   @ 1 lap
 7 S Modena     It   Jordan    @ 1 lap
 8 A Suzuki     Jpn  Footwork  @ 1 lap
 9 JJ Lehto     Fin  Dallara   @ 1 lap
10 P Martini    It   Dallara   @ 1 lap


FIA WORLD F1 DRIVERS' STANDINGS:-
 1 N Mansell    GB  Williams  108 pts
 2 R Patrese    It  Williams   56
 3 A Senna      Brz McLaren    50
 4 M Schumacher Ger Benetton   47
 5 G Berger     Aut McLaren    39
 6 M Brundle    GB  Benetton   34
 7 J Alesi      Fr  Ferrari    15
 8 M Hakkinen   Fin Lotus Ford 11
 9 A De Cesaris It  Tyrrell     8
10 M Alboreto   It  Footwork    6
11 E Comas      Fr  Ligier      4
12 K Wendlinger Aut March Ilmor 3
 = I Capelli    It  Ferrari     3
14 P Martini    It  Dallara     2
 = J Herbert    GB  Lotus       2


CONSTRUCTORS' CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
 1 Williams       164 points
 2 McLaren         89
 3 Benetton        81
 4 Ferrari         18
 5 Lotus Ford      13
 6 Tyrrell          8
 7 Footwork         6
 8 Ligier Renault   4
 9 March Ilmor      3
10 Dallara          2
11 Venturi          1
 = Minardi          1
Riccardo Patrese clinched his first victory of the season as he took the chequered flag at Suzuka in his Williams-Renault. Britain's Nigel Mansell built up a commanding lead from the start before slowing down on the 37th lap to allow his Italian teammate to take over. But this grand gesture turned out to be uneccessary as the world champion's car caught fire, forcing him to retire. Gerhard Berger finished second in a McLaren with Britain's Martin Brundle taking third place in a Benetton.

Italian Riccardo Patrese claimed the sixth victory of his Grand Prix career to move into second place in the drivers' championship. Patrese, driving in his 239th GP race, settled into second place behind Nigel Mansell but seized his chance on the chicane on the 37th lap as Mansell's Williams slowed down. "We did not discuss tactics but I knew Nigel would help me with second place in the championship," said Patrese. "I saw him slowing and went in front but he pushed me very hard," he added.

World champion Nigel Mansell seemed prepared to sacrifice the chance of a 10th win this season to give teammate Riccardo Patrese victory. The Briton was cruising comfortably over 30 seconds ahead of the Italian, but slowed on the 37th lap allowing the second Williams to take the lead. Mansell looked content with second spot but eight laps from the end his engine blew up removing his option to regain the lead if he changed his mind. Victory would have given Mansell his first-ever win at Suzuka.

Gerhard Berger took second place at Suzuka to give McLaren an eight-point cushion over Benetton, second and third in the constructors' championship. Berger's teammate, Ayrton Senna, limped out of the race on the second lap as smoke pouring from his engine forced the Brazilian to retire. The Austrian, who won in Japan last year, was not entirely pleased despite collecting his second runners-up spot of the season. "I was very unhappy with the engine and lost power at the start," said Berger.

Britain's Martin Brundle produced his eighth points scoring win of the season with third place behind Riccardo Patrese and Gerhard Berger. Brundle started 13th on the grid in the Benetton having spent the last 24 hours confined to bed with food poisoning. "I'm very elated. It was a tough race but I paced myself," said Brundle, who has yet to secure a team seat next year after being turned down by Williams. "I'm in no hurry, there is no panic. My performances this year will not hurt my P45 chances next year," said Brundle.

Britain's Johnny Herbert suffered his 12th retirement in 15 races as he returned to the pits in his Lotus on lap 15 with engine trouble. Dutchman Jan Lammers, returning to Formula One after 10 years, lasted 27 laps in the March-Ilmor before he was forced out. The other "new" face in the Japanese Grand Prix, Nicola Larini, was left behind at the start in the "active suspension" Ferrari but finished 12th. Nigel Mansell broke the lap record with 1 min 40.646 secs for the 3.641 miles.

ELONEX RALLY:- Newly-crowned British champion Colin McRae claimed his sixth victory in the six-round series in a thrilling finish to the Elonex Rally in Telford. McRae, in his Subaru, overhauled Finn Tommi Makinen to win by two seconds after eight forest and four tarmac stages in Shropshire and Wales. Brother Alister clinched the Group N drivers' title in his Ford Sierra Cosworth 4x4, beating former ladies world champion Louise Aitken-Walker. Jonny Milner won the Lombard Finance Junior Championship, for œ10,000 and an entry in November's Lombard RAC Rally.



MOBIL 1/TOP GEAR RAC BRITISH CH'SHIP
Final positions, after 12 stages:
                             hr mins secs
 1 C McRae         Subaru      1:31:24
 2 T Makinen   Fin Nissan      1:31:26
 3 T Smith         Ford        1:39:19
 4 A McRae         Ford (N)    1:39:29
 5 M Higgins       Vauxhall    1:41:02
 6 L Aitken-Walker Ford (N)    1:42:31
 7 J Milner        Peugeot     1:46:52
 8 M Jones         Mitsubishi  1:47:02
 9 S Green         Vauxhall    1:47:35
10 R Forster       Vauxhall    1:47:47