October 1993


02.10.93

INDYCARS
Friday qualifying times for the Toyota
Grand Prix at Laguna Seca:       mph
 1 P Tracy     Can Penske Chev 112.039
 2 N Mansell   GB  Lola Ford   111.730
 3 S Johansson Swe Penske Chev 111.327
 4 E Fit'paldi Brz Penske Chev 111.263
 5 D Sullivan  US  Lola Chev   111.190
 6 A Luyendyk  Hol Lola Ford   110.515
 7 S Brayton   US  Lola Ford   110.472
 8 T Fabi      It  Lola Chev   110.368
 9 M Andretti  US  Lola Ford   110.221
10 B Rahal     US  Lola Chev   110.067
Nigel Mansell will have x-rays on an injured wrist after two crashes which saw him fail to finish the final race of the season. The already crowned Indy champion retired after 71 laps of the 84-lap race after first ramming into Scott Sharp as he tried to lap him and then having a shunt with Mark Smith. But Mansell was able to drive his Newman Haas Lola-Ford back to the pits. Canadian Paul Tracy won his fifth race of the season, ahead of Emerson Fittipaldi.


Result of Toyota Grand Prix at Laguna Seca:
                                 mph
 1 P Tracy     Can Penske Chev 106.303
 2 E Fit'paldi Brz Penske Chev
 3 A Luyendyk  Hol Lola Ford
 4 S Goodyear  Can Lola Ford
 5 A Unser Jr  US  Lola Chev
 6 S Johansson Swe Penske Chev
 7 B Rahal     US  Lola Chev
 8 T Fabi      It  Lola Ford
 9 M Andretti  US  Lola Ford
10 R Gordon    US  Lola Ford

Final standings:
1 Mansell    197 pts
2 Fittipaldi 183
3 Tracy      157
4 Rahal      133

CYPRUS RALLY:- Jimmy McRae and co-driver Ian Grindrod escaped unhurt when their Ford Sapphire caught fire during the Rothmans Cyprus Rally. Alistair McRae dropped out when his Subaru suffered gearbox trouble and Alessandro Fiorio held a 59 second lead at the end of the first day.

F3:- Kelvin Burt was fastest with a lap of 1 min 48.06 secs in practice for Sunday's British F3 Championship race at Silverstone. Only one session was possible due to bad weather.

SNOWDONIA RALLY:- John Roberts won the eight-stage Snowdonia Windows Cambrian Rally in a Sierra Cosworth. He had 19 secs in hand over John Ballinger.





04.10.93
F3:- Kelvin Burt smashed the lap record in his Dallara Mugen on the way to winning the British Formula Three Championship race at Silverstone. He completed the 15-lap race in 26 mins 37.45 secs and finished over six seconds clear of Marc Goossens, with Oliver Gavin third.

CYPRUS RALLY:- Alessando Fiorio won the three-day Cyprus International Rally in a Lancia Delta. Only 34 of the 90 starters from 11 countries finished the 973km event.

F1:- Steve Nichols has joined the Sasol Jordan Grand Prix team as chief designer, following succesful stints with McLaren and Ferrari. The 46-year-old American said: "I think that Jordan Grand Prix has a very exciting future and I think the potential exists for progress."





05.10.93 - F1
Milton Keynes-based Footwork Grand Prix have dismissed speculation that it could be forced to pull out of Formula One next year. Reports from Japan suggested that the team's parent company was withdrawing sponsorship. Team managing director Jack Oliver said: "They have not said they are pulling out of Formula One at all. It is simply a case of the owners asking for support from outside. That is nothing new in Formula One"





07.10.93
F1:- Ayrton Senna and Damon Hill are expected to be confirmed as the two Williams drivers for 1994, at the team's HQ in Didcot, on Monday. Senna, a triple world F1 champion, will replace Frenchman Alain Prost, the newly-crowned champion, who has decided to retire from F1 racing. Hill is said by informed sources to have successfully negotiated a new contract with the team after a successful first full year in which he won three successive GPs in July. Senna's first ever F1 test outing was in a Williams, in 1982.

INDYCARS:- Al Unser jnr, the 1992 Indianapolis 500 winner and a former IndyCar PPG Cup champion, is to join the front-running Marlboro Team Penske. He joins Emerson Fittipaldi and Paul Tracy, with all three driving the 1994 team-built chassis with a new Ilmor Indy V8 engine. Unser, who leaves the team owned by his longtime friend Rick Galles, said the move was the next step in his career in IndyCars. "Penske have set the standard for over 25 years and this is like a dream come true," he said.





08.10.93
F1:- Peugeot have announced they are to supply Formula One constructors McLaren with engines next season. The French company opted to branch into top-level motor racing after years of successes in rallying and sports car racing. In a statement they said: "Peugeot will exclusively equip McLaren with its new V10 engine for several years and aim to win the Formula One title as soon as possible." McLaren, lying third this year with three races to go, are currently supplied with Ford engines.

Eddie Irvine will make history at the forthcoming Japanese GP when he becomes the first Irishman to drive for an Irish Formula One team. The 27-year-old from Conling has been signed by the Sasol Jordan team for the final two races of the 1993 season. Team boss Eddie Jordan said; "To see an Irish driver racing one of my cars will be the accomplishment of a long-held personal ambition." Irvine should be popular at Suzuka after driving in the Japanese F3000 series for the last three years.

PHAROAH'S RALLY:- Rothmans driver Saeed Al Hajri is the new leader of the Pharaohs Rally in his Mitsubishi. Al Hajri takes over from Citroen's Hubert Auriol who was forced to abandon his car. The race is due to end in Cairo after 4,734 gruelling kilometres on October 13.

F2:- Belgian drivers Mikke van Hool and Philippe Adams resume their battle for the British F2 title at Donington Park on Sunday. Adams is leading the series by six points going into the final round.





09.10.93 - F1
Lotus have named Portuguese driver Pedro Lamy as their replacement for Alessandro Zandari next season. The 21-year-old has already filled in for Zandari in the Italian and Portuguese Grands Prix and may continue to deputise in the final two races this season. Zandari was injured in during the Belgian Grand Prix and may not be fit again in time for the races in Japan and Australia. Lotus picked Lamy after his success at Formula 3000 where he is second in the standings in his first year.





10.10.93
PHAROAH'S RALLY:- Rothmans driver Saeed Al Hajri retained his lead after nine stages of the Pharoah's Rally. The Mitsubishi driver looks set for victory after nearest rival Alan Ambrosini of France crashed his Citroen out of the race.

F2:- Argentine Luis di Palma took a comfortable final round win in the British F2 Championship at Donington Park. Provisional champion Philippe Adams spun off with four of the race's 20 laps remaining.

SAN REMO RALLY:- Championship leader Juha Kankkunen sits out San Remo - giving second placed Francois Delecour a chance to close the gap. Ford driver Delecour trails the Finn by 39 points with just three rounds left - and the title could ultimately be decided in the final round in Britain in November. This year's San Remo, starting on Monday and compressed into just three days, will be the first all-asphalt event since 1979. Lancia have won every San Remo Rally since 1985.





11.10.93
F1:- Ayrton Senna and Damon Hill have been confirmed as the Williams-Renault drivers for next year's Formula One world championship. Three-times world champion Senna, who will quit McLaren at the end of this season, replaces retiring world champion Alain Prost. Hill has cemented his position at Williams after an impressive season which has brought three successive Grand Prix wins. Senna's replacement at McLaren is his former team-mate Mika Hakkinen who steps up from number two.

Damon Hill reacted to the news of teaming up with Ayrton Senna by saying he had "mixed emotions." Hill said of Senna: "He does have a reputation for getting what he wants out of a team and that may be to my detriment." Hill admitted he feared Senna's competitive streak. Senna says the Williams challenge is one he has wanted to take up for a long time. "It is a dream come true for me," he added. Team boss Frank Williams said Hill has been outstanding and Senna's track record speaks for itself.

PHAROAH'S RALLY:- Rothmans driver Saeed Al Hajri retained his lead after 10 stages of the Pharoah's Rally. The Mitsubishi driver drove with care on the 324-km 10th stage, won by Frenchman Pierre Lartigue in a Citroen.



SAN REMO RALLY Round 11
Leading positions after stage 8:hr:mn.sc
 1 C Sainz     Sp  Lancia Delta 1:34.40
 2 G Cunico    It  Ford Escort  1:34.53
 3 D Cerrato   It  Lancia Delta 1:35.31
 4 P Snijers   Bel Ford Escort  1:36.19
 5 A Fiorio    It  Lancia Delta 1:36.39
 6 G Pianez'la It  Lancia Delta 1:38.38
 7 B Thiry     Bel Opel Astra   1:39.21
 8 G Vita      It  Toyota Cel   1:43.47
 9 A Fassina   It  Mazda 323    1:43.48
10 A Medeghini It  Peugeot 106  1:44.29




12.10.93
TOURING CARS:- Grand Prix ace Derek Warwick will face Nigel Mansell in a shoot-out race at Donington Park. Warwick will fly in direct from the Japanese Grand Prix for the 30 lap challenge on October 31.



SAN REMO RALLY Round 11
Leading positions after stage 19:hr:mn.sc
 1 G Cunico    It  Ford Escort  4:07.08
 2 C Sainz     Sp  Lancia Delta 4:08.50
 3 P Snijers   Bel Ford Escort  4:13.50
 4 G Pianez'la It  Lancia Delta 4:21.14
 5 B Thiry     Bel Opel Astra   4:24.44
 6 P Liatti    It  Subaru       4:32.37
 7 R Travaglia It  Ford Escort  4:33.48
 8 A Medeghini It  Peugeot      4:34.27
 9 P Vita      It  Toyota Cel   4:34.33
10 F Loix      Bel Opel Astra   4:38.28




13.10.93
PHAROAH'S RALLY:- Finland's Timo Salonen recorded his first cross country victory in the Pharoah's Rally in Egypt. Salonen had been over three hours behind event leader Saeed Al Hajri, until Al Hajri crashed with 2km of the penultimate leg remaining.



SAN REMO RALLY Round 11
Final positions after 28 stages:hr mn sc
 1 G Cunico    It  Ford Escort  6:19:40
 2 C Sainz     Sp  Lancia Delta 6:21:18
 3 P Snijers   Bel Ford Escort  6:30:08
 4 G Pianez'la It  Lancia Delta 6:38:03
 5 P Liatti    It  Subaru       6:44:47
 6 B Thiry     Bel Opel Astra   6:46:27
 7 R Travaglia It  Ford Escort  6:58:21
 8 A Da'villa  It  Ford Escort  6:58:31
 9 A Medeghini It  Peugeot      6:58:38
10 F Loix      Bel Opel Astra   7:04:55

DRIVERS
1 J Kankkunen Fin  Toyota 111 pts
2 F Delecour  Fr   Ford    82
3 D Auriol    Fr   Toyota  71
4 M Biasion   It   Ford    66
5 C McRae     GB   Subaru  50
= C Sainz     Sp   Lancia  50

MANUFACTURERS
1 Toyota                  151 pts
2 Ford                    125
3 Subaru                  100
4 Lancia                   84
5 Mitsubishi               69
Franco Cunico drove his Ford Escort Cosworth over the finish line to win his first ever World Rally Championship event. Cunico finished over a minute and a half ahead of the Lancia driven by reigning World Champion, Carlos Sainz who took second spot. Third place was taken by another Escort Cosworth driven by Belgium's Patrick Snijers. The six times Belgian champion was collecting his best ever World Rally result. Nearly a fifth of the 120 car entry were Escort Cosworth.





14.10.93 - F1
The South African and European Grands Prix at Kyalami and Donington have been axed from next year's Formula One calendar. The new season is scheduled to start in Argentina on March 20, the first time the country has featured since 1981. The second new venue has been confirmed as Aida in Japan. FIA chiefs have also approved several technical changes including the banning of traction control.


PROVISIONAL F1 CALENDAR
March     20 (prov) Argentina
March     27 (prov) Brazil
April     17        Pacific (Japan)
May        1        San Marino
May       15        Monaco
May       29        Spain
June      12        Canada
July       3        France
July      10        Great Britain
July      31        Germany
August    14 (prov) Hungary
September 11        Belgium
September 18        Italy
September 25        Portugal
November   6        Japan




16.10.93 - INTERNATIONAL TOURING CARS
New Zealander Paul Radisich will be on pole position in his Ford Mondeo as he bids to become unofficial world champion of touring cars. Radisich lapped the Monza circuit in 1 min 54.52 secs with Yannick Dalmas second fastest in a Peugeot in 1:54.60. "It will be down to getting the best start of the year and avoiding any of the un-guided missiles that are on the track," said Radisich. A host of stars from touring car racing are competing in Sunday's two-race FIA Touring Car Challenge.





17.10.93
F1:- World Formula One champion Alain Prost has denied reports that he is considering joining McLaren for next season's world championship. A French newspaper report suggested Prost - who retires at the end of this season - had been made an offer by McLaren boss Ron Dennis. Prost said: "I categorically deny it. I haven't changed my mind about retiring. The report is absolute nonsense." Dennis said Mike Hakkinen would probably be retained and two other drivers would be named later.

INTERNATIONAL TOURING CARS, MONZA:- Paul Radisich won both races in his Ford Mondeo of the FIA Touring Car Challenge at Monza. Radisich took command in the first race after an accident involving his Mondeo team-mate Andy Rouse had meant a re-start. In the second race Radisich saw an eight second lead destroyed by a crash, but he held his nerve on the final lap to come first again. Nicola Larini and Philippa Gache came second and third, but British hopes vanished when Rouse and Steve Soper went out in race one's drama.


Combined points of two 15-lap races
1 P Radisich    Ford Mondeo  80 pts
2 N Larini      Alfa Romeo   54
3 P Gache       Alfa Romeo   33
4 A Cudini      Opel         30
5 A Burgstaller BMW          30
6 J Cleland     Vauxhall     24




18.10.93 - TOURING CARS
Volvo is to return to racing when they compete in the British Touring Car Championship in 1994. The Volvo 850 makes it debut at Thruxton on April 4, 1994.





20.10.93 - F1: JOHN WATSON ON THE JAPANESE GRAND PRIX
This weekend's race at Suzuka is the penultimate round of the World Championship, wound up in Portugal by a sadly now-retiring Alain Prost. This removes some of the interest in the GP but there is still plenty left for British motor racing fans. Second place is being contested by three drivers, with Damon Hill leading Ayrton Senna by nine points and Michael Schumacher by 10. Experience is important at Suzuka and, added to the unpredictability of the weather, Damon can be sure of an interesting event.

Damon Hill will be looking forward to the challenge of Suzuka. He will enjoy the battle for second place in the World Championship and the fact that he is now "off the leash" and able to race his own teammate for victory on equal terms. Hill's progress during the year has been impressive and another win on merit would confirm his challenge to the 1994 World Championship. His new teammate Ayrton Senna will provide an entirely different insight into GP racing, something Hill can store for a future time.

Mika Hakkinen has brought a breath of fresh air and a cheerfulness to the McLaren team. He will also be certain to keep teammate Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher in his Benetton honest, should they need it. In fact the pace of these three competitors could easily see them break into the duel at the front. Remember the twisting nature of 3.644-mile Suzuka circuit demands commitment and 53 laps is a long way at that level.

Italian fans were in ecstasy four weeks ago when Jean Alesi in his Ferrari led the Portuguese GP for 15 laps on merit. I believe this was the first real sign of the potential that has been lying dormant for so long. Suzuka is not an ideal circuit for Ferrari yet neither is it a bad one. As long as Gerhard Berger and Alesi qualify well, they will be able to make the most of new improvements. Sauber also featured strongly in Portugal with their new V10 engine. Wendlinger and Lehto like Suzuka...

Japanese interest in their home GP will focus on three drivers. There is Aguri Suzuki in his familiar Footwork Mugen Honda and new face Toshio Suzuki in the Larrousse Lamborghini. And do not forget Tyrrell's Ukyo Katayama. The trio will be the undisputed stars of the weekend at Suzuka as far as the Japanese media and public are concerned. Understandably, Aguri Suzuki is the driver best placed to perform.

Among other fresh faces will be Ulsterman Eddie Irvine, a Japanese F3000 front-runner, the fifth man in the number two Jordan this year. His knowledge of Suzuka will be a help to teammate Rubens Barrichello as well as to the Jordan GP team. Unfortunately for Irvine his height causes the same problems other tall drivers experienced in this car. Minardi have made a late change, replacing Christian Fittipaldi with Jean-Marc Gounon. The team needed money, Gounon had resources - but I do not think he will disappoint.

Team Lotus have dropped Alessandro Zanardi for the final two GPs and have wisely recalled Pedro Lamy who joins them full-time in 1994. Zanardi, back from a massive shunt at Spa, tested at Silverstone and went off after just three laps. No look at Japan would be complete without mentioning the weather and by that I mean rain - or typhoons. Last year we lost Saturday practice due to a monsoon which could happen again. Combine this with the restricted practice rules and Japan could turn into a lottery.

Pacific Grand Prix, the British based team which is set to compete in Formula One, has unveiled its first Grand Prix car. The Pacific PRO1 is the result of 18 months work and consists of a state-of-the-art chassis fitted with the Ilmor V10 engine. Pacific managing director Keith Wiggins said: "We've produced a car which utilises proven technology, but which is advanced in terms of its construction and aerodynamics." The company are hoping to compete in next year's championship.





21.10.93 - F1
Martin Brundle will defy the pain from injuries suffered in testing to drive his Ligier-Renault in Sunday's race. The Kings Lynn-based driver has badly bruised ribs and legs after his 140mph accident in France. He was unconscious for several minutes following the crash, which was blamed on suspension failure. But Brundle said: "I feel OK in myself and I am confident I can do the job so we will just have to wait and see."





22.10.93 - F1: THE JAPANESE GRAND PRIX
Alain Prost moved a step closer to his first Japanese win by claiming provisional pole for Sunday's race. The Frenchman, who sealed a fourth world title in Portugal last month, was hit by engine failure during the free session. But his Williams was firing on all cylinders for official qualifying and he edged out Michael Schumacher with a lap of 1 min 38.587 secs. Damon Hill was fifth fastest with Irishman Eddie Irvine making an impressive debut with the 11th best time for the Jordan team.

New world champion Alain Prost was highly delighted after securing provisional pole on a track he does not feel suits his Williams. "It is not an easy track to set up the car as it is so technical, but I am driving without any pressure," he said afterwards. Michael Schumacher was second fastest despite using Benetton's new four-wheel steering system for the first time at a Grand Prix. "I still feel we have a lot to come," the German said.


FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Friday's qualifying times:    mins secs
 1 A Prost      Fr  Williams   1:38.587
 2 M Schumacher Ger Benetton   1:38.588
 3 M Hakkinen   Fin McLaren    1:38.813
 4 A Senna      Brz McLaren    1:38.942
 5 D Hill       GB  Williams   1:38.979
 6 G Berger     Aut Ferrari    1:39.024
 7 J Alesi      Fr  Ferrari    1:39.535
 8 J J Lehto    Fin Sauber     1:40.346
 9 R Patrese    It  Benetton   1:40.748
10 U Katayama   Jpn Tyrrell    1:40.963
11 E Irvine     GB  Jordan     1:41.018
12 D Warwick    GB  Footwork   1:41.086
13 M Blundell   GB  Ligier     1:41.278
14 K Wendlinger Aut Sauber     1:41.367
15 A Suzuki     Jpn Footwork   1:41.380
16 A de Cesaris It  Tyrrell    1:41.480
17 J Herbert    GB  Lotus      1:41.488
18 M Brundle    GB  Ligier     1:41.543
19 R Barrichell Brz Jordan     1:41.624
20 P Martini    It  Minardi    1:42.388
21 P Lamy       Ptl Lotus      1:43.165
22 E Comas      Fr  Larrousse  1:43.483
23 T Suzuki     Jpn Larrousse  1:44.562
24 JM Gounon    Fr  Minardi    1:46.782




23.10.93
F1 - THE JAPANESE GRAND PRIX

Alain Prost claimed the 33rd pole of his career after a thrilling final qualifying session. The world champion was just a tenth of a second quicker than old rival Ayrton Senna with a lap of 1 min 37.154 secs in his Williams. Their positions at the head of the grid will revive memories of past tangles at Suzuka, with the pair colliding in 1989 and 1990. Prost's Williams teammate Damon Hill was fastest early on but then spun off at the hairpin and will start from sixth on the grid.

Frenchman Alain Prost clinched pole for Sunday's race and then revealed he had recieved an approach from McLaren boss Ron Dennis for 1994. But the Williams ace said he told Dennis he would not be reversing his decision to quit Formula One. "He is a professional and we are still friends. He just wanted to know what was in my mind - and I told him," he added. Prost's 33rd career pole put him joint second with Jim Clark in the record books. "Today was very close and it was big fun," he added.

Irishman Eddie Irvine continued his impressive debut by equalling the Jordan team's best qualifying position of the season. He will start from eighth on the grid behind Alain Prost on pole but said: "It wasn't the best lap I've ever driven to be honest." He added: "It could have done with tidying up a bit, but I didn't make any major mistakes. It's great to do my first race at a circuit I know so well. The start could be interesting, though, as I haven't done one yet!"


Saturday's final qualifying times:mins secs
 1 A Prost      Fr  Williams   1:37.154
 2 A Senna      Brz McLaren    1:37.284
 3 M Hakkinen   Fin McLaren    1:37.326
 4 M Schumacher Ger Benetton   1:37.530
 5 G Berger     Aut Ferrari    1:37.622
 6 D Hill       GB  Williams   1:38.352
 7 D Warwick    GB  Footwork   1:38.780
 8 E Irvine     GB  Jordan     1:38.966
 9 A Suzuki     Jpn Footwork   1:39.278
10 R Patrese    It  Benetton   1:39.291
11 J Lehto      Fin Sauber     1:39.391
12 R Bar'chello Brz Jordan     1:39.426
13 U Katayama   Jpn Tyrrell    1:39.511
14 J Alesi      Fra Ferrari    1:39.535
15 M Brundle    GB  Ligier     1:39.951
16 K Wendlinger Aut Sauber     1:40.153
17 M Blundell   GB  Ligier     1:40.696
18 A de Cesaris It  Tyrrell    1:40.696
19 J Herbert    GB  Lotus      1:41.488
20 P Lamy       Por Lotus      1:41.600
21 E Comas      Fra Larrousse  1:41.769
22 P Martini    It  Minardi    1:41.989
23 T Suzuki     Jpn Larrousse  1:42.175
24 J Gounon     Fra Minardi    1:43.812

Sauber have named Heinz-Harald Frentzen of Germany as one of their drivers for the 1994 GP season. Frentzen, who has been driving in the Japanese F3000 championship, replaces JJ Lehto as teammate of Karl Wendlinger. Ligier boss Cyril de Rouvre has denied rumours that he is about to sell the team to Benetton because of financial problems.

RAC RALLY:- Next month's Network Q RAC Rally attracted the strongest entry for many years with 170 crews taking part in the four-day event. The list includes most of the main factory teams, including Ford, Toyota, Subaru and Mitsubishi. The main absentee is last year's winner Carlos Sainz but Lancia will be represented by Tommi Makkinen, fourth at the 1000 Lakes rally. The main focus of British interest will be on Colin McRae and Richard Burns (555 Subaru) and Malcolm Wilson (Michelin Pilot Team Ford).

HONG-KONG BEIJING RALLY:- Ari Vatanen was given a standing ovation by spectators after setting the fastest time on the first stage of the Hong Kong-Beijing Rally. Britain's Colin McRae lies fourth after the time trial, with the 3800km event getting under way in earnest on Sunday.

INNES IRELAND DIES:- Innes Ireland, one of Britain's greatest racing drivers, has died at the age of 63. Ireland raced in 50 Grands Prix in the 50's and 60's, winning the American Grand Prix in 1961 for Lotus Climax. He was also second at America and Holland in 1960, but perhaps his most notable achievement came the same year when he beat Stirling Moss twice in a day at Goodwood. Ireland, who retired from racing in 1967, had his greatest successes in sports and touring car races.





24.10.93
F1 - THE JAPANESE GRAND PRIX:- Brazilian Ayrton Senna marred the 40th win of his Grand Prix career in an astonishing after-race fight with debutant driver Eddie Irvine. Senna's masterly exhibition brought him home ahead of Alain Prost and Mikke Hakkinen but was involved in an overtaking tangle with Irvine. He later burst into the Jordan team office and allegedly punched the Irishman to the floor before being pulled away. Senna had accused Irvine of "unprofessional" driving in difficult, wet conditions.

Winner Ayrton Senna was reported to the stewards by the Jordan team for an attack on Eddie Irvine an hour after the end of the race. Jordan commercial boss Ian Phillips said he had reported the Brazilian for a "serious physical assault". "It's a sad day when you see a great sportsman and three-times world champion reduced to such cheap physical tactics," he added. Senna was angry at Irvine's driving during the race and lashed out after a slanging match.

Controversial debutant Eddie Irvine was stunned after being on the end of winner Ayrton Senna's fists. Irvine scored a point by taking sixth place but was involved in a tangle with Senna's car, prompting an ugly clash after the race. "He is totally out of control - completely and utterly. He hit me across the head and I fell down," Irvine commented. He was also involved in a collision with Derek Warwick during the race but a protest from the Footwork team was rejected by the stewards.

Ayrton Senna could not hide his anger over the driving of Jordan new boy Eddie Irvine at the end of the 53-lap race. Senna became tangled up in Irvine's battle for fourth place with Damon Hill and said the Ulsterman should have paid more attention. "I had to go off the track three times. They were battling and they could have had an accident and taken me off," he said. The victorious Brazilian described Irvine as "stupid" and the pair later clashed in the Jordan office.

Damon Hill faces a struggle with Ayrton Senna for runners-up spot in the championship after finishing fourth behind the Brazilian. Hill will take a slender two-point advantage over his 1994 teammate to the season-ending Australian Grand Prix on November 7. "It was disappointing, but I took a gamble on my set-up and it didn't work out," he conceded. "The weather did not help and I also had a puncture. In the end, I was quite glad to finish the race."

Mika Hakkinen was rewarded for his patience earlier in the season as he took third place behind Ayrton Senna for his first podium finish. The Flying Finn sat out the early part of the season as American Michael Andretti was given a chance in the number two McLaren. But his potential was clear for all to see with a well-judged drive in difficult conditions. Hakkinen was only 3.2 secs behind runner-up Alain Prost, the new Formula One world champion.


FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Result of race after 53 laps:hrs mins secs
 1 A Senna      Brz McLaren    1:40.279 (average speed 115.337mph)
 2 A Prost      Fr  Williams  @   0.114
 3 M Hakkinen   Fin McLaren   @   0.261
 4 D Hill       GB  Williams  @   1.235
 5 R Bar'chello Brz Jordan    @   1.351
 6 E Irvine     GB  Jordan    @   1.464
 7 M Blundell   GB  Ligier    1 lap b/h
 8 JJ Lehto     Fin Sauber    1 lap b/h
 9 M Brundle    GB  Ligier    2 lps b/h
10 P Martini    It  Minardi   2 lps b/h
11 J Herbert    GB  Lotus     2 lps b/h
12 T Suzuki     Jpn Larrousse 2 lps b/h

Points after Japanese Grand Prix
 1 A Prost      Fr     93 points (World champion - one race left)
 2 D Hill       GB     65
 3 A Senna      Brz    63
 4 M Schumacher Ger    52
 5 R Patrese    It     20
 6 J Alesi      Fr     13
 7 M Brundle    GB     12
 8 J Herbert    GB     11
 9 M Blundell   GB     10
 = G Berger     Aut    10
11 M Andretti   US      7
== K Wendlinger Aut     7
13 JJ Lehto     Fin     5
== C Fittipaldi Brz     5
15 D Warwick    GB      4

Standings after Japanese GP:
 1 Williams Renault   158 points
 2 McLaren Ford        74
 3 Benetton Ford       72
 4 Ferrari             23
 5 Ligier Renault      22
 6 Lotus Ford          12
 = Sauber              12
 8 Minardi              7
 9 Footwork             4
10 Larrousse            3
Williams win championship

Britain's Johnny Herbert is staying with the Castrol Lotus team for the 1994 Formula One season. The 29-year-old's new agreement was confirmed at Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix, where he finished 11th behind Ayrton Senna. Herbert made his Lotus debut in Japan in 1990 and has led the team for the last two years. "I'm really looking forward to achieving the sort of results I know I'm capable of," said Herbert, who will partner Pedro Lamy.

HONG KONG-BEIJING RALLY:- Colin McRae lost vital time when he stopped to help out team-mate Ari Vatanen on the second special stage of the day, but held second place. Vatanen suffered electrical hitches with his Subaru Legacy and Kiwi ace Possum Bourne drove into a three minute 27 second lead over McRae.

F.FORD:- Australian Russell Ingal lifted the Formula Ford Festival crown at Brands Hatch in his Duckhams Van Diemen. It was his fourth attempt at the prestigious junior title.





25.10.93 - F1
Formula One rookie Eddie Irvine is threatening to sue Ayrton Senna over an alleged attack, according to newspaper reports. Senna is said to have floored the Irishman with a left hook following a heated exchange at the finish of Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix. Senna won the race, but complained that Irvine, who finished sixth, had driven "like a lunatic." Irvine is said to have told journalists he was considering taking legal action against the three-times World Champion.





26.10.93
HONG KONG-BEIJING RALLY:- Britain's Colin McRae leads after 15 stages at the end of the fourth day of the Hong Kong to Beijing rally. One of the characters of the rally, Japan's Yoshio Fujimoto was forced to drop out with a blown engine.


1 C McRae     Subaru L     03:00.53
2 A Vatanen   Subaru L     03:01.49
3 P Bourne    Subaru L     03:01.56
4 K Shinozuka Mitsubishi L 03:01.56
5 H Nishiyama Nissan Pul   03:26.04

LONDON-MEXICO RALLY:- Francis Tuthill heads the list of entries for the 1995 London-Mexico Rally, last run 25 years ago. Tuthill plans to compete in the 911 Porsche in which he and co-driver Anthony Showell won the recent London-Sydney rally. "It looks a great event," he said after watching footage of the 1970 Rally won by Hannu Mikkola. "I had a great reception to the idea in Central and South America - rallying is in their folklore," said organiser Nick Brittan. Pre-70 cars will be run by 100 entrants.

A live link to 1970 London-Mexico rally winner Hannu Mikkola heralded the launch of the 1995 re-run. "If I can get my Escort from Ford and some back-up, I would like to do it," declared Mikkola from Miami. "All bad memories have faded, only good ones are left, but I remember the Andes. The 600-mile stages took over 12 hours and at high altitude it was difficult to stay awake. The finishing party in Mexico was quite a do I can tell you!" he said - picking winning co-driver Gunnar Palm as his first choice for 1995.





27.10.93 - MANSELL/TOURING CARS
Nigel Mansell has revealed he turned down a huge payday in favour of this weekend's race at Donington. Mansell is set to drive the highly-rated Ford Mondeo in a special touring car race, before switching to an open sports car for the final round of the TVR Tuscan Challenge. He said he was tempted by two F1 offers, for Japan and Australia, and admitted: "It would have been nice to have number one on the car." But he added: "I wanted to drive in my native country. The TVR drive is to give people a bit of fun."

Former F1 champion Nigel Mansell has admitted his first year in Indycar racing was a tough one. "It was amazing to win my first race but then came the accident and a struggle on all the road circuits. Indianapolis was not straight-forward... There were so many ups and downs so winning the series was very special indeed," he commented. He said lapped drivers behaved well better than in F1. "Having hit a wall I understand why. You cannot change your line - you would kill each other if you did that."






28.10.93 - HONG KONG-BEIJING RALLY
Colin McRae was forced into second place on the penultimate section of the 3,800km rally as Ari Vatanen stepped up his bid. The final day begins by the Great Wall of China on Friday.


LEADERBOARD AFTER DAY SIX
1 A Vatanen   Subaru Leg 5:05.28
2 Colin McRae Subaru Leg 5:06.02
3 P Bourne    Subaru Leg 5:08.35
4 K Shinozuka Mitsubishi 5:25.05
5 H Nishiyama Nissan     5:49.47




29.10.93
F1:- Ayrton Senna and Eddie Irvine have been summoned to an official FIA inquiry into their reported clash at the Japanese Grand Prix. Senna won the race at Suzuka but eyewitnesses said he felled F1 newcomer Irvine with a left hook in a row over the Irishman's driving. An FIA spokesman said: "At the moment we are treating this as an alleged incident because we only have press reports." The inquiry will be on December 9, a month after the season has ended.

TOURING CARS:- Nigel Mansell suffered two spins behind the wheel of a Ford Mondeo in unofficial practice for Sunday's touring car race at Donington Park. The Formula One and Indycar ace found a gravel trap after just one and a half laps of the circuit and spun again later on a patch of oil. "I've only completed four laps so far," said Mansell. "It is totaly different and alien to anything else I have done." Mansell refused lucrative offers to compete in the last two Grands Prix of the season to race at Donington.





30.10.93
TOURING CARS:- Nigel Mansell was given some timely assistance from Ford teammate Paul Radisich as he prepared for the Touring Car shoot-out at Donington. Radisich, fastest in practice, let Mansell use his Mondeo during the second session allowing him to finish ninth fastest overall. "It was very smooth and balanced," admitted Mansell. "My car was a struggle but they will fix it so I will be more competitive tomorrow." The better drivers start towards the rear of the field on Sunday and backmarkers drop out in the race.


Donington Park: leading qualifying times after second session
                          mins secs
 1 P Radisich Ford Mondeo   1:13.49
 2 S Soper    BMW 318i      1:13.69
 3 D Leslie   Vaux Cavalier 1:13.81
 4 T Needell  Vaux Cavalier 1:13.85
 5 H Measham  Vaux Cavalier 1:14.11
 6 P Watts    Mazda Xedos   1:14.18
 7 D Coyne    Peugeot 405   1:14.23
 8 R Gravett  Peugeot 405   1:14.39
 9 N Mansell  Ford Mondeo   1:14.50
10 I Khan     Vaux Cavalier 1:14.99
11 D Warwick  Toyota Carina 1:15.22
12 I Ashley   Vaux Cavalier 1:15.37

HONG KONG-BEIJING RALLY:- Ari Vatanen led a Subaru Legacy 1-2-3 finish in the 555 Hong Kong Beijing Rally, with Colin McRae and Possum Bourne second and third. McRae won the final timed stage but still trailed Vatanen by 19 seconds


FINAL POSITIONS
1 A Vatanen   Subaru Leg 5:13.40
2 Colin McRae Subaru Leg 5:13.59
3 P Bourne    Subaru Leg 5:16.59
4 K Shinozuka Mitsubishi 5:33.32
5 H Nishiyama Nissan     5:59.55




31.10.93 - TOURING CARS
Nigel Mansell is in hospital after a 120mph crash in the saloon car 'shoot-out' at Donington Park. The Indycar world champion smashed into a bridge parapet at the Old Hairpin as he battled for third place six laps from home. Mansell, initially unconscious, was cut free from his Ford Mondeo and stretchered to the circuit medical centre where he came round. He was transferred to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham and was being detained there overnight for observation.

Nigel Mansell had to be cut out of his smashed Ford Mondeo because of fears that he may have suffered spinal injuries at Donington. The 40-year-old star underwent a back operation earlier this season after ploughing into a wall at 180mph during an Indycar race. A bulletin from the Queen's Medical Centre later reported that Mansell had suffered a bruised right hip. The Donington race was re-started and won by David Leslie, with Paul Radisich second and Steve Soper taking third.