01.06.93 - ACROPOLIS RALLYMiki Biasion roared to victory in his Ford Escort - then set his sights on regaining the world title. The hard-charging Italian moved from fourth to second in the championship standings, four points behind teammate Francois Delecour. Biasion said: "It's one of the toughest races in the championship which I now feel is within my reach. Reigning champion Carlos Sainz was second with Armin Schwarz third. Delecour was forced to retire with a blown engine on the final day.
Result after 36 stages: hrs mins secs 1 M Biasion It Ford Escort 6:54:35 2 C Sainz Sp Lancia 6:55:48 3 A Schwarz Ger Mitsubishi 6:57:19 4 A Aghini It Lancia 7:00:15 5 T Makinen Fin Lancia 7:02:39 6 G Trelles Uru Lancia 7:02:44 7 A Fiorio It Lancia 7:23:44 8 C Apostolou Gr Lancia 7:39:00 9 N Tsadaris Gr Lancia 7:39:45 10 A Fassina It Mazda 8:08:04 Standings after Acropolis Rally: 1 F Delecour Fr Ford Escort 55 pts 2 M Biasion It Ford Escort 51 3 J Kankkunen Fin Toyota 43 4 D Auriol Fr Toyota 35 5 M Alen Swe Subaru 25 = C Sainz It Lancia 25 MANUFACTURERS' CHAMPIONSHIP 1 Ford 77 pts = Toyota 77 3 Mitsubishi 47 4 Lancia 43 5 Subaru 36 04.06.93INDYCAR:- Nigel Mansell has his sights set on victory in Sunday's Miller Genuine Draft 200 at the Milwaukee Mile after his stunning oval debut. He earned everyone's respect with third place at the Indy 500 and said: "I learned a lot out there." But Sunday's race takes place over a one-mile oval, very different to the 2.5-mile track at Indianapolis. "What people tell me mostly about these one-mile ovals is all the the traffic. But I've had some experience of that now," he added.
PERTH SCOTTISH RALLY:- Championship leader Richard Burns almost crashed into his Elonex-Subaru teammate on the second stage at the Knockhill race circuit. Burns met Alister McRae at a hairpin after a split junction but it was the Englishman who won the battle of nerves and bullied his Scottish friend out of the way. Burns now leads the third round event by two seconds from Michelin Ford Escort driver Malcom Wilson. BBC Top Gear presenter Tiff Needell is still competing despite a fuel pump failure on his Vauxhall Astra.
05.06.93 - PERTH SCOTTISH RALLY Leaderboard after 15 stages: mins secs 1 Burns/Reid Subaru Legacy 1:14:56 2 A McRae/Senior Subaru Legacy 1:17:42 3 Head/Roy Ford Escort C 1:18:22 4 J McRae/Turvey Ford Escort C 1:18:37 5 Llewellin/G'od Vauxhall Ast 1:19:39 6 B'beck/Corner Vauxhall Ast 1:20:33 7 Milner/Orrick Audi S2 Coupe 1:20:57 8 Bell/Mills Ford Escort C 1:22:01 9 Curran/Warner Ford Sierra C 1:22:02 10 Frankland/Ch'e Peugeot 205 1:22:22G Evans crashed out stage 12 when second; M Wilson 19th after gearbox trouble stage 5
06.06.93INDYCAR:- Nigel Mansell stormed to a superb victory in the Miller Genuine Draft 200 in Wisconsin in only his second oval track race. The Formula One world champion put his pre-race frustrations behind him to produce a hard-charging show in the Newman-Haas Lola Ford. Mansell slipped slickly inside leader Raul Boesel with around 20 laps to go and pulled away. Mansell took his chance after early leader Paul Tracey was shunted out in a collision with Arie Luyendyk.
PERTH SCOTTISH RALLY:- Result after 26 stages: mins secs 1 Burns/Reid Subaru Legacy 2:32:04 2 A McRae/Senior Subaru Legacy 2:35:10 3 Head/Roy Ford Escort C 2:41:10 4 Llewellin/G'od Vauxhall Ast 2:41:58 5 Wilson/Thomas Ford Escort C 2:42:41 6 Frankland/Ch'e Peugeot 205 2:46:20 7 Dyas/Derry Ford Sierra C 2:47:01 8 Curran/Warner Ford Sierra C 2:47:15 9 Milner/Orrick Audi S2 Coupe 2:57:37 10 Ste'son/P'son Ford Sierra C 2:53:03 09.06.93JOHN WATSON ON THE CANADIAN GRAND PRIX
Grand Prix racing moves back across the Atlantic this weekend with the seventh round of the FIA F1 world championship in Canada. It is an important race in many respects and whoever wins will have the momentum for the second half of the season in Europe. Ayrton Senna has a five-point lead in the championship - against all expectations - and has another less obvious advantage over Alain Prost. He seems to hold the mental edge over the Frenchman following the Monaco Grand Prix three weeks ago.
Alain Prost's performance on the streets of Monte Carlo has cast doubts over his desire to race. A jumped start, costing him a ten second penalty, was a pure reaction to the pressure of getting into the first corner in front. He then stalled the engine in the pits and, even though Williams have confirmed a broken clutch shaft, his adrenalin seemed to be missing. It is questionable whether he is as committed as one would expect from a man of his stature and ability.
Alain Prost will start as favourite on Sunday with the Williams team still holding a significant power and car advantage over the field. But Canada is a street-circuit in nature which rewards drivers with aggression and finesse. Both he and Ayrton Senna have the ability to win and the outcome will depend on Prost's commitment and confidence on the day. Senna has the opportunity to capitalise by playing to the weaknesses of his great rival.
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal is a strange track and it is not always easy to get the cars to perform to their best. It can be affected by changes in weather conditions which could be unpredictable all weekend. Overtaking is difficult which leads to bunching all around the circuit - but it is still an enjoyable place to drive. Williams, McLaren and Benetton will be vying for the positions on the front row of the grid but the other teams are not without a chance.
Ferrari's fortunes are on the up judging by their recent displays - especially at Monaco. After wholesale changes in personnel and management they are starting to become the team they once were. The performances of both drivers and cars have been rewarded in recent weeks and it will be interesting to watch developments. Jean Alesi and Gerhard Berger are both aggressive drivers and along with Benetton's Michael Schumacher, they will certainly entertain.
Damon Hill gained valubale track time at Montreal last year where he failed to qualify in a Brabham. He will find it difficult in the Williams this year because the performance window between the two cars is so big - to the extent that the circuit will appear unfamiliar. His confidence is growing with each race as he builds up for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on July 11 - a race he can win. He has a definite role to play in the Williams team and so far this season he has performed superbly.
The finishing rate in Canada is very low because it is a hard race in mechanical terms and fuel consumption is higher than usual. It is a race of conservation and the "second division" teams such as Lotus, Footwork and Jordan may only have to finish to pick up points. Jordan have a new and improved front suspension on hand to remedy their turn-in problems. Sauber are competitive without the bells and whistles of the top teams and may excel on their Canadian Grand Prix debut.
1994 Provisional F1 dates. Mar 13 South Africa Kyalami Mar 27 Brazil Interlagos Apr 10/17 Europe Donington Apr 24 Spain Barcelona May 1 San Marino Imola May 15 Monaco Monaco Jun 12 Canada Montreal Jul 3 France Magny-Cours Jul 10 Britain Silverstone Jul 31 Germany Hockenheim Aug 14 Hungary Budapest Aug 28 Belgium Spa Francorchamps Sep 11 Italy Monza Sep 25 Portugal Estoril Oct 23 Japan Suzuka Nov 6 Australia Adelaide 10.06.93 - NEWSFISA, the International Motor Sports Federation, has been abolished after a dramatic organisational shake-up. The federation, best known for controlling the formula one world championship, was unanimously voted out of existence by FIA'S general assembly at a meeting in Paris. As part of the structural reforms proposed, international motor sport will in future be governed by a World Motor Sports council. FISA's former president Max Mosley is now at the helm of FIA.
11.06.93 - F1:- THE CANADIAN GRAND PRIXAlain Prost took provisional pole position for Sunday's race with a typically smooth performance in the opening qualifying session Friday. The Frenchamen made the most of the cool conditions which suited his Renault's V10 engine to clock a best time of 1 min 18.987 secs. Teammate Damon Hill was second quickest in 1:19.491 and poses the biggest threat to Prost's seventh pole of the season. German Michael Schumacher was third and Britain's Martin Brundle put in a superb performance to lie seventh.
Friday's qualifying times: mins secs 1 A Prost Fr Williams 1:18.987 2 D Hill GB Williams 1:19.491 3 M Schumacher Ger Benetton 1:20.808 4 R Patrese It Benetton 1:20.948 5 G Berger Aut Ferrari 1:21.278 6 J Alesi It Ferrari 1:21.414 7 M Brundle GB Ligier 1:21.603 8 A Senna Brz Mclaren 1:21.706 9 K W'linger Aut Sauber 1:21.936 10 M Blundell GB Ligier 1:22.097 11 JJ Lehto Fin Sauber 1:22.198 12 E Comas Fr Larrousse 1:22.263 13 M Andretti US McLaren 1:22.751 14 A Suzuki Jpn Footwork 1:22.891 15 P Alliot Fra Larrousse 1:22.983 16 R B'chello Brz Jordan 1:23.152 17 A Zanardi Brz Lotus 1:23.240 18 A De Cesaris It Tyrrell 1:23.268 19 J Herbert GB Lotus 1:23.341 20 D Warwick GB Footwork 1:23/518 21 F Barbazza It Minardi 1:23.946 22 M Alboreto It Lola 1:24.382 23 U Katayama Jap Tyrrell 1:24.391 24 C Fittipaldi Brz Minardi 1:24.559 25 T Boutsen Bel Jordan 1:24.632 26 L Badoer It Lola 1:25.212 12.06.93F1 - THE CANADIAN GRAND PRIX
Formula One's leading teams have been rocked by a shock announcement that effectively bans active suspension and traction control. A stewards' bulletin named 12 teams as running cars in a form that did not comply with technical regulations of the FIA. Only the struggling Lolas escaped censure and if the ruling is applied rigorously it could cause massive upheaval and chaos. The leading teams have spent millions developing the high-tech systems which could be outlawed.
Alain Prost claimed a record seventh successive pole in one season but none of the top drivers improved their overnight times. The Frenchman had made the most of cool conditions which suited his Renault's V10 engine to clock a best time of 1 min 18.987 secs. Teammate Damon Hill was second quickest in 1:19.491 and the race looks set to finish with a Williams one-two. Italian Michele Alboreto failed to qualify in the Lola as Luca Badoer and Thierry Boutsen went quicker.
Final qualifying times: mins secs 1 A Prost Fr Williams 1:18.987 2 D Hill GB Williams 1:19.491 3 M Schumacher Ger Benetton 1:20.808 4 R Patrese It Benetton 1:20.948 5 G Berger Aut Ferrari 1:21.278 6 J Alesi It Ferrari 1:21.414 7 M Brundle GB Ligier 1:21.603 8 A Senna Brz McLaren 1:21.706 9 K W'linger Aut Sauber 1:21.813 10 M Blundell GB Ligier 1:22.097 11 JJ Lehto Fin Sauber 1:22.198 12 M Andretti US McLaren 1:22.229 13 E Comas Fr Larrousse 1:22.263 14 R Bar'chello Brz Jordan 1:22.509 15 P Alliot Fra Larrousse 1:22.819 16 A Suzuki Jpn Footwork 1:22.891 17 C Fittipaldi Brz Minardi 1:23.119 18 D Warwick GB Footwork 1:23.185 19 A De Cesaris It Tyrrell 1:23.185 20 J Herbert GB Lotus 1:23.223 21 A Zanardi Brz Lotus 1:23.240 22 U Katayama Jap Tyrrell 1:23.824 23 F Barbazza It Minardi 1:23.946 24 T Boutsen Bel Jordan 1:23.960 25 L Badoer It Lola 1:24.357 NON QUALIFIER M Alboreto It Lola 1:24.382 TOURING CARS Combined practice from Brands Hatch: mins secs 1 D Leslie Vauxhall Cav 0:47.38 2 W Hoy Toyota Carina 0:47.85 3 J Cleland Vauxhall Cav 0:47.88 4 S Soper BMW 318s 0:47.92 5 K Odor Nissan 0:47.98 6 J Winkelhock BMW 318s 0:48.06 7 W Percy Nissan 0:48.10 8 J Allam Vauxhall Cav 0:48.11 9 J Bailey Toyota Carina 0:48.14 10 P Watts Mazda Xedos 0:48.18F3:- Oliver Gavin won the seventh round of the British Formula Three championship at Oulton Park by over six seconds from Marc Goossens. Championship leader Kelvin Burt spun off at Knickerbrook on the second lap but still managed to finish fourth.
INDYCAR:- Championship leader Nigel Mansell took advantage of Paul Tracy's second lap qualifying crash to win pole for the Detroit Grand Prix. Mansell posted a lap with an average speed of 106.627 mph to pinch pole from the Canadian who hit a wall. Tracy had to settle for his provisional time of 105.144 mph and the number three starting spot. Emerson Fittipaldi took the second place on the grid with a lap of 105.843 mph.
13.06.93 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - CANADIAN GRAND PRIX Result after 69 laps: hrs:min.sec 1 A Prost Fr Williams 1:36.41 2 M Schumacher Ger Benetton @ 41sec 3 D Hill GB Williams @ 52sec 4 G Berger Aut Ferrari @ 1 lap 5 M Brundle GB Ligier @ 1 lap 6 K Wendlinger Aut Sauber @ 1 lap 10 J Herbert GB Lotus @ 2 laps 16 D Warwick GB F'work @ 4 laps M Blundell GB Ligier DNF DRIVERS' STANDINGS (after round 7, the Canadian GP at Montreal): 1 A Prost Fr 47 pts 2 A Senna Brz 42 3 D Hill GB 22 4 M Schumacher Ger 20 5 M Brundle GB 7 6 M Blundell GB 6 = J Herbert GB 6 8 JJ Lehto Fin 5 = R Patrese It 5 = C Fittipaldi Brz 5 = G Berger Aut 5 12 J Alesi Fr 4 13 P Alliot Fr 2 = F Barbazza It 2 = M Andretti US 2 CONSTRUCTORS' STANDINGS (after round 7, Canadian GP) 1 Williams Renault 69 pts 2 McLaren Ford 44 3 Benetton Ford 25 4 Ligier Renault 13 5 Ferrari 9 6 Lotus Ford 7 = Minardi Ford 7 8 Sauber 6 9 Larrousse 2Frenchman Alain Prost took over the championship lead from Ayrton Senna after a convincing victory at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The Frenchman passed Williams teammate Damon Hill on the sixth lap and powered clear for his first ever win in Canada. Senna held Michael Schumacher's charge until his McLaren packed up six laps from the finish. Hill drove another solid race back in third and Martin Brundle picked up two valuable points for fifth.
Frenchman Alain Prost was thrilled to have clinched his first win at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and sang praises of teammate Damon Hill. "I made a good start but the start Damon made was even better. But he was very generous when he allowed me to go by him." said Prost. "My car ran perfectly but I had to push hard all the time. This win is very special for me. I feel it is half-French here and also because Gilles was a special friend of mine," he added.
Britain's Damon Hill lost any hope of victory after a disastrous tyre stop in his Williams. He slipped from second to fourth as a result and later said: "The crew did not seem ready for me at all. I have not spoken to them yet to find out what happened." Young German Michael Schumacher was delighted with his second place in the reliable Benetton. "This result shows we are giving Williams a tough battle now and we are pushing them hard."
TOURING CARS - Double header at Brands Hatch Round 6 mins secs 1 J Winkelhock BMW 318s 24:25.73 2 K Odor Nissan 24:27.32 3 W Hoy Toyota Carina 24:33.39 4 S Soper BMW 318s 24:33.76 5 W Percy Nissan 24:34.23 Round 7 1 S Soper BMW 318s 24:27.49 2 K Odor Nissan 24:30.62 3 J Allam Vauxhall Cav 24:34.38 4 W Percy Nissan 24:35.52 5 J Cleland Vauxhall Cav 24:36.80 Soper leads Winkelhock in the championship by three points. KERRIDGE NATIONAL RALLY (Round 4): Result after 7 stages: penalty 1 Grierson/Merry Metro 6R4 1:14:45 2 Finlay/Wilson Ford Sierra 1:17:28 3 W-Clark/Con'ly Escort Cos 1:17:38 4 Mann/Wray Toyota Cel 1:18:27 5 Petch/Tindall Escort Cos 1:19:04 6 Mellors/Smith Sierra Cos 1:19:10 7 Jones/Morgan Mits Galant 1:19:29 8 E-Jones/Lewis Sapphire Cos 1:20:31 9 Walker/Ambler Ford Escort 1:20.35 10 Rowe/Wood Escort Cos 1:20:59F.VAUXHALL LOTUS:- Scot Dario Franchitti extended his lead in the Vauxhall Lotus Championship to 32 points after victory at Brands Hatch. The Paul Stewart Racing driver was two seconds clear at the line as he completed his fourth successive win in the championship.
SALOON CARS:- Londoner Charlie Cox won the sixth round of the National Saloon Car Cup in his Ford Escort RS Cosworth, also at Oulton Park. Daley Thompson finished well down the field in a Peugeot 106XS.
INDYCAR:- Nigel Mansell was forced out nine laps from the end as Danny Sullivan won the Detroit Grand Prix in his Lola-Chevrolet. The Briton, who started in pole position, and Brazil's Emerson Fittipaldi were both knocked out in seperate accidents. Mansell, current F1 world champion and Indycar points leader, spun off and hit the wall while Fittipaldi was out by the halfway stage. Sullivan averaged 83.115 mph with Raul Boesel second and Mario Andretti third.
15.06.93JAMES HUNT DIES:- Former Formula One world champion James Hunt has died at his home in Wimbledon after a heart attack. Hunt, 45, won ten of his 92 Grand Prix races during a seven-year F1 career and took the world title in a McLaren in 1976. He first drove in F1 with March but made his name with the short-lived British Hesketh team before his successful move to McLaren. Hunt stayed on the Grand Prix scene as a commentator for the BBC after his retirement in 1979.
The death of James Hunt has left the British motor racing scene in a state of shock. The stockbroker's son was cross country and rackets champion at his public school but he wanted to be a racing driver from an early age. He took various odd jobs including hospital porter and ice-cream salesman on leaving school to pay for instruction at Brands Hatch. Hunt began racing in a home-built Mini in 1967 and just nine years later became Formula One champion.
James Hunt became a national hero after capturing the world title in thrilling style in 1976. He took over the position of team leader at McLaren Ford that year and came from 35 points down to pip Niki Lauda by one point. Lauda had been injured in an horrific crash, but it was still a fantastic achievement by Hunt, who began racing nine years earlier. He had six of his 10 Grand Prix wins that year and etched himself a place in motor racing history.
Nigel Mansell led the tributes following the news of James Hunt's fatal heart attack. "The sad sad news of the loss of James Hunt has come as a terrible shock to me," said Mansell, the only Briton to win the world title since Hunt's 1976 triumph. "He was a fantastic character and he will be a great loss to the world of motorsport," he added. Lord Hesketh, head of one of Hunt's old teams, said he was "absolutely shattered and devastated."
Ceefax correspondent John Watson said the death of former GP rival James Hunt was a "total shock." The pair first competed against each other in Formula Two in 1973 before enjoying several exciting Grand Prix battles from 1974-9. "He was very good Grand Prix driver and extremely competitive," he said. "But James was not just a fast driver, he was an intelligent and bright individual and those qualities are as important in motor racing as in other areas of life."
BBC commentator Murray Walker said the untimely death of his TV partner James Hunt had left a huge hole in his life. Walker said: "James was rare among top sportsmen in that he was extremely good at talking with dignity, authority and expertise about his chosen sport." He went on: "It was a pleasure and a privilege to share a microphone with James. I feel that a huge hole has now opened up in my life. I shall miss him enormously."
INDYCAR:- The future of the only Indy Car race held outside North America is hanging in the balance. The Australian Indy GP is held each March at Surfers Paradise but the Queensland state government may cut their support for the race. They say it is costing taxpayers too much and that the chance of continued support is only 50-50. Britain's Formula One world champion Nigel Mansell won this year's race on his debut in the Indy series.
16.06.93 - LE MANS 24 HRS Leading practice times after first two hours of opening qualifying Wednesday: mins secs 1 P Alliot Fr Peugeot 3:24.94 2 T Boutsen Bel Peugeot 3:27.27 3 E Irvine Ire Toyota 3:29.07 4 G Lees GB Toyota 3:33.60 5 A Wallace Aus Toyota 3:34.51 6 G Brabham Aus Peugeot 3:35.00 7 B Wollek Fr Porsche 3:39.85 17.06.93 - THE LE MANS 24 HRS Leading practice times after first two hours of Thursday's session: mins secs 1 P Alliot Fr Peugeot 3:24.94 2 E Irvine Ire Toyota 3:26.14 3 T Boutsen GB Peugeot 3:27.23 4 G Lees GB Toyota 3:28.21 5 A Wallace Aus Toyota 3:31.55 6 G Brabham Aus Peugeot 3:32.08 7 M Reuter Ger Porsche 3:37.63 8 F Altenbach Ger Porsche 3:39.37 9 B Wollek Fr Porsche 3:39.85 10 R Rat'berger Ger Toyota 3:42.22Jaguar were involved in a dispute with the organisers at Le Mans as the three-car entry faced exclusion from the 24-hour sportscar classic. Stewards claimed the XJ220's should have been fitted with catalytic converters in order to race. But the British team's boss, Tom Walkinshaw, argued the devices were not required by the regulations and lodged an objection. As the appeal is unlikely to be heard for several weeks the cars will be allowed to start the race on Saturday.
JOHN WATSON ON THE LE MANS 24 HRS
This weekend sees the last Le Mans, as we have known it for the past 20 years, with the demise of the Formula One style sportscars. Of the 51 car entry almost half is made up of the type of cars we will see from '94 onwards - category 4 modified road-going GT cars. This category will provide interest to the organisers of Le Mans but the main interest will be the titanic battle going on at the front of the race. And it will be between the factory Peugeots and the factory Toyotas.
The factory Peugeots and the factory Toyotas partly represent the reason for the demise of sportscar racing. Anybody who enjoys the sight and sound of high-revving V10 engines has the opportunity to indulge themselves for 24-hours at Le Mans. The battle between Peugeot and Toyota will be even closer partly because both are running on the same Michelin tyres. Toyota have also made a greater effort in building their cars to exclusively suit Le Mans demands.
Both the Peugeot and Toyota teams have strong driver line-ups as well as having prepared over the past six months by simulating three 24-hour tests apiece. For Porsche enthusiasts there are still seven venerable 962C models competing, the strongest of which are the Joest racing entries. But age and regulations mitigate against them and overshadow their renowned reliability in this event.
Veteran five-times Le Mans winner, Derek Bell, returns yet again in an effort to make it six wins. He will drive a Cougar Porsche built and run from their Le Mans base. In reality all he can hope for is to finish. In the GT category the three TWR Racing Jaguar XJ 220C's will have a major battle against the sole Porsche Team 911 SLM driven by Hans Joachin Stuck and Walter Rohrl. This car in spring testing was 12 seconds quicker than Jaguar but recent testing has reduced the gap.
Two other interesting entries at Le Mans are the Lotussport/Chamberlain Engineering's Lotus Esprit 300's. Driven by Richard Piper, Olindo Iocobelli, Ferdinand de Lesseps, Yojiro Terada, Jun Herada and Thorkild Thyrring. They could be let down by the lack of testing which may well hinder their endurance. The most unusual entry this year is the Georgia Automotive Mig Tako Mig M100 which, to my knowledge, is the first car from the state of Georgia to be entered at Le Mans.
19.06.93 - LE MANS 24 HRS Leading positions after 6 hours: 1 Y Dalmas Fr Peugeot 2 G Lees GB Toyota @ 1m 8secs 3 G Brabham Aus Peugeot @ 1 lap 4 M Sekiya Jpn Toyota @ 3 laps 5 R Rat'berger Aut Toyota @ 4 laps 6 G Fouche SA Toyota @ 6 laps 20.06.93LE MANS 24 HRS:- Defending champions Peugeot swept to a 1-2-3 clean sweep to delight the French crowd at Le Mans. The team of Geoff Brabham, Eric Helary and Christophe Bouchut took top honours as the challenge of the Toyota team wilted in the heat. Toyota, plagued by mishaps, lost its final chance to finish in the top three when its top-ranked TS010 was forced to replace its clutch and transmission system on 20 hours British fans were cheered when Dave Brabham led Jaguar to first place in the GT category.
The Jaguar XJ220-C scored a debut victory in the new GT category. David Brabham completed a fine day for his family by leading teammates John Nielsen and David Coulthard - the youngest driver in the race - to a clear win over Porsche. Overall 1990 winner Nielsen said: "It's great to win her for Jaguar. It's really special at Le Mans and the fans are so enthusiastic." TWR Jaguar entered two other cars but both retired early on with technical problems.
F1:- Formula One teams have been ordered to keep the noise down during testing at the Enzo and Dino track of Imola - home of the San Marino Grand Prix. A local judge has ruled that machines had to use engine mufflers during testing after a long campaign against noise pollution by environmentalists. The decision will not apply to race days.
26.06.93INDYCARS:- Nigel Mansell was edged out of pole position by Emerson Fittipaldi in the first practice session for Sunday's GI Joe 200 at Portland. His fast lap of 114.739mph was bettered by the Brazilian (115.069) in the final minute of the session. "I brought it in with five minutes to go because I felt I had got the best out of the tyres and the best out of myself," said Mansell. "I told the team not to get too excited because Emerson was going out again and I wouldn't be suprised if he pipped us."
Leading times from first practice session for GI Joe 200 at Portland: mph 1 E Fit'paldi Brz Penske Chev 115.069 2 N Mansell GB Lola Ford 114.739 3 P Tracy Can Penske Chev 114.008 4 R Gordon US Lola Ford 112.778 5 S Johansson Swe Penske Chev 112.708 6 M Andretti US Lola Ford 112.589 7 T Fabi It 112.338 8 R Boesel Brz 104.962 TOURING CARS:- Combined practice times: mins:secs 1 D Leslie Vaux Cavalier 59.78 2 J Cleland Vaux Cavalier 59.92 3 J Bailey Toyota Carina 59.93 4 A Rouse Ford Mondeo 1:00.00 5 W Hoy Toyota Carina 1:00.07 6 J Winklehock BMW 318i 1:00.19 7 T Needell Nissan Primera 1:00.20 8 H Nuttall Vaux Cavalier 1:00.25 9 S Soper BMW 318i 1:00.34 10 K Odor Nissan Primera 1:00.36 27.07.93 TOURING CARS, PEMBREY Race Seven results: mins:secs 1 J Winklehock BMW 318i 31:23.70 2 W Hoy Toyota Carina 31:29.15 3 S Soper BMW 318i 31:36.51 4 J Bailey Toyota Carina 31 38.44 5 K Odor Nissan Primera 31:38.67 6 H Nuttall Vaux Cavalier 31:39.37 7 J Cleland Vaux Cavalier 31 40.89 8 P Radisich Ford Mondeo 31 41.12 9 W Percy Nissan Primera 31:44.52 10 J Allam Vaux Cavalier 31:49.13German Jo Winklehock fought his way through from a lowly grid position to win the eighth round of the British Championship at Pembrey. Driving a BMW 318i, he came from sixth place to claim his fourth win of the series and retake the championship lead from Steve Soper. David Leslie started from pole in his Vauxhall but his throttle linkage broke on lap 13 and he was forced out. Will Hoy took second place in a Toyota with Steve Soper in third.
F3:- Oliver Gavin took a third British Formula 3 Championship victory as he stormed clear at Donington Park. Gavin, in the Dallara Vauxhall, is now 18 points behind series leader Kelvin Burt.
28.06.93 - INDYCARSNigel Mansell extended his lead in the Indy World Series standings with second place behind Emerson Fittipaldi at the GI Joe's 200. He led for the first 28 laps under intense pressure from the Brazilian but dropped to fourth when he slid off at a sharp right-hander. Heavy rain then hit the Portland International Raceway and Mansell was briefly back in front as the cars pitted for wet tyres. But Fittipaldi regained the lead and came home in front but Mansell now leads by 13 points overall.
Result of Budweiser GI Joe's 200 at Portland after 104 laps: 1 E Fit'paldi Brz Penske Chev 2 N Mansell GB Lola Ford 3 P Tracy Can Penske Chev 4 B Rahal US Rahal Chev 5 A Unser jnr US Lola Chev 6 M Andretti US Lola Ford 7 R Boesel Brz Lola Ford 8 R Gordon US Lola Ford 29.06.93 - F1 Rothmans Racing and Williams Grand Prix Engineering have agreed a major sponsorship deal for the 1994 and 1995 Formula 1 season. The Rothmans Williams Renault Team will have two cars entered in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship. Williams are the current world champions and are leading the standings this season. Rothmans Racing has already enjoyed considerable success in rallying, motorcycling and endurance racing.
Formula One team Ferrari have extended the contract of driver Jean Alesi by two years. The news is expected to put an end to the rumours that Brazilian ace Ayrton Senna may join the Italian team next year.
JOHN WATSON ON THE FRENCH GRAND PRIX
The eighth round of the FIA Formula One world championship takes place on Sunday at Magny Cours, France, the spiritual home of GP racing. The race will be 72 laps, three more than 1992, and is the midway point of the 1993 championship. The Canadian GP three weeks ago confirmed Alain Prost really is on course for a fourth world crown. He illustrated a supremacy and style in that victory which brings him to his home Grand Prix brimming with confidence.
Any challenge to Alain Prost in Sunday's race will come from within his own Williams Renault team. But Damon Hill is well aware of being a member of a team and his responsibilities as such could result in him playing a back-up role in an unspoken team strategy. Magny-Cours will suit the Williams Renault team in all respects. One long straight, corners where their aerodynamics will be an advantage and slow sections where the phenomenal acceleration of the V10 will leave everyone gasping.
On paper the battle of Magny Cours will be for third place - with McLaren, Benetton and Ferrari being the protagonists. For McLaren it will be the last race using the customer based Series 5 Ford HB engine. For Benetton it is a chance to capitalise on being the quicker of the two leading Ford engined teams. For Ferrari, and Jean Alesi in particular, it is an opportunity on a billiard smooth surface to confirm further progress.
This race is also a key race for the teams that we don't see so often at the front. Footwork, Tyrrell - racing the new 021 for the first time - Jordan and the BMS Lola are all fighting relegation from the top ten teams. The penalty you pay for this is that you literally don't get paid. Any one of the four teams that scores even a point at Magny-Cours could salvage itself for the second part of the '93 season and looking forward to Japan and Australia is a strong motivation.
Three weeks ago stewards in Canada issued a press release regarding the legality of several cars in respect of traction control and active suspension. I'm sure the same issues will be raised this weekend at Magny Cours, though it's very unlikely any penalties will be imposed. The subject is a major headache for FISA and will not be clarified until July 15 - the date of their next World Council meeting. The result of the meeting may make the German GP a lawyer's dream.
On a much lighter note, Eddie Jordan has accepted an invitation to drive in the French round of the Porsche Super Cup. His team are battling for their first World Championship points but he will take time off to drive as a guest in the Porsche Carrera 2. The last time a Formula One personality drove this car was in Monaco where Mika Hakkinen won. I'm sure the Jordan Grand Prix drivers - Rubens Barrichello and Thierry Boutsen - will be watching with amusement.