November 1994


02.11.94 - F1
French motor racing team Larrousse have announced that Swiss driver Jean-Denis Deletraz will make his Formula One debut at the Australian Grand Prix later this month. Deletraz, 31, has made his mark in sports car and Formula 3000 racing in recent seasons.

JOHN WATSON ON THE JAPANESE GRAND PRIX

It will be a somewhat unfamiliar scene this weekend in Suzuka with so many teams making changes to their driver line-ups. It is more like the first race of a season than the penultimate round with a ridiculous amount of musical chairs and drivers named who are unknown outside their own countries. It does not seem to matter who they are as long as they have the money to pay for their drive. It is confusing and makes a mockery of F1 with drivers competing who would never earn a seat on merit.

Economics play a big part in these last two races of the season with teams having to make changes purely for financial reasons. Those whose budgets are falling short are having to take on drivers with funding, in order to fulfil their contractural obligations. There could be up to four drivers making F1 debuts in Suzuka, among them Taki Inoue in the Simtek. Larrousse Ford have a couple of options with Erik Comas partnered by either Jean-Denis Deletraz or Hideki Noda. Who? I hear you ask.

Johnny Herbert finds himself back at Benetton as they pursue their double World Championship bid. Herbert was plucked from Lotus just before the European Grand Prix and deposited at Ligier and now returns to the team which provided him with his F1 debut back in 1989. Benetton Ford have their sights on both the drivers' title and the constructors' honours. Almost all their points have been won by Michael Schumacher but they believe Herbert can back-up their no 1 star and win points of his own.

Johnny Herbert takes over from Jos Verstappen who has been 'rested' by Benetton after straining his neck muscles three weeks ago in Jerez. Some strain! Herbert is replaced at Ligier by the newly-signed young French test driver Franck Lagorce. Another Benetton 'ex' popping up in Japan is JJ Lehto, now in a Sauber alongside Heinz-Harald Frentzen, with Karl Wendlinger's F1 comeback postponed due to neck pain. An interesting newcomer could be Mika Salo, a Finnish driver based in Japan, in the Lotus Mugen.

It will be a particularly special weekend in Suzuka for three regular drivers, for very personal reasons. Ukyo Katayama will be desperately keen to impress in his Tyrrell in front of his home crowd. For Eddie Irvine in the Jordan, it is the anniversary of his debut. This time last year he was the talk of Formula One. Finn Mika Hakkinen believes he can win a GP this season in his McLaren Peugeot - but time is fast running out for him.

Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill's battle for the title remains the main interest despite all the new faces at Suzuka this weekend. If I was them I would be unhappy about the number of unknowns which could have an influence. Wild cards are one thing but this is Wild East. Amalgamate all the elements already discussed, throw in unpredictable weather, and Suzuka will test their qualities as never before. Only Williams driver Nigel Mansell can benefit, being accustomed as he is to erratic IndyCar drivers.




04.11.94 - F1: THE JAPANESE GRAND PRIX

Friday's qualifying times:    mins secs
 1 M Schumacher Ger Benetton   1:37.209
 2 D Hill       GB  Williams   1:37.696
 3 H Frentzen   Ger Sauber     1:37.742
 4 N Mansell    GB  Williams   1:37.768
 5 J Herbert    GB  Benetton   1:37.828
 6 E Irvine     NI  Jordan     1:37.880
 7 J Alesi      Fr  Ferrari    1:37.907
 8 M Hakkinen   Fin McLaren    1:37.998
 9 M Brundle    GB  McLaren    1:38.076
10 R Bar'chello Brz Jordan     1:38.533
11 G Berger     Aut Ferrari    1:38.570
12 G M'delli    It  Footwork   1:39.030
13 M Blundell   GB  Tyrrell    1:39.266
14 U Katayama   Jpn Tyrrell    1:39.462
15 J Lehto      Fin Sauber     1:39.483
16 P Martini    It  Minardi    1:39.548
17 A Zanardi    It  Lotus      1:39.721
18 C Fittipaldi Brz Footwork   1:39.868
19 O Panis      Fra Ligier     1:40.042
20 F Lagorce    Fr  Ligier     1:40.577
21 M Alboreto   It  Minardi    1:40.652
22 E Comas      Fr  Larrousse  1:40.978
23 H Noda       Jpn Larrousse  1:40.990
24 D Brabham    Aus Simtek     1:41.659
25 M Salo       Fin Lotus      1:41.805
26 T Inoue      Jpn Simtek     1:45.004
27 B Gachot     Fr  Pacific    1:46.374
28 P Belmondo   Fr  Pacific    1:46.629
World championship leader Michael Schumacher grasped the early initiative as he took provisional pole for Sunday's Grand Prix. The 25-year-old German clocked 1 min 37.209 secs in his Benetton in the opening session. Damon Hill, five points adrift in the championship race, was second fastest in 1:37.969 in his Williams. German Heinz-Harald Frentzen, in a Sauber, was third fastest, just edging Nigel Mansell into fourth, followed by Johnny Herbert and Eddie Irvine.




05.11.94 - F1: THE JAPANESE GRAND PRIX
Michael Schumacher will start from pole position on Sunday after rain ruined Saturday's final qualifying session at Suzuka. No driver was able to improve their first session times leaving Damon Hill in his Williams in second place on the grid behind the German's Benetton. Nigel Mansell clocked the fastest time during the practice session that preceeded final qualifying. Mansell's Williams will line-up alongside the Sauber of Heinz-Harald Frentzen on the second row.
Combined qualifying times:    mins secs
 1 M Schumacher Ger Benetton   1:37.209
 2 D Hill       GB  Williams   1:37.696
 3 H Frentzen   Ger Sauber     1:37.742
 4 N Mansell    GB  Williams   1:37.768
 5 J Herbert    GB  Benetton   1:37.828
 6 E Irvine     NI  Jordan     1:37.880
 7 J Alesi      Fr  Ferrari    1:37.907
 8 M Hakkinen   Fin McLaren    1:37.998
 9 M Brundle    GB  McLaren    1:38.076
10 R Bar'chello Brz Jordan     1:38.533
11 G Berger     Aut Ferrari    1:38.570
12 G M'delli    It  Footwork   1:39.030
13 M Blundell   GB  Tyrrell    1:39.266
14 U Katayama   Jpn Tyrrell    1:39.462
15 J Lehto      Fin Sauber     1:39.483
16 P Martini    It  Minardi    1:39.548
17 A Zanardi    It  Lotus      1:39.721
18 C Fittipaldi Brz Footwork   1:39.868
19 O Panis      Fra Ligier     1:40.042
20 F Lagorce    Fr  Ligier     1:40.577
21 M Alboreto   It  Minardi    1:40.652
22 E Comas      Fr  Larrousse  1:40.978
23 H Noda       Jpn Larrousse  1:40.990
24 D Brabham    Aus Simtek     1:41.659
25 M Salo       Fin Lotus      1:41.805
26 T Inoue      Jpn Simtek     1:45.004
27 B Gachot     Fr  Pacific    1:46.374
28 P Belmondo   Fr  Pacific    1:46.629




06.11.94 - F1: THE JAPANESE GRAND PRIX
Damon Hill kept his nerve over some tense final laps to hold off a charge from Michael Schumacher and claim victory in the Japanese GP. Hill won the drama-packed race by 3.3 seconds, leaving the world title to be decided in a head-to-head finale next week in Adelaide. Schumacher made two pit stops to Hill's one and the Briton took full advantage but faced an agonising battle to the finish as the German star steadily nibbled at his lead. Frenchman Jean Alesi won a battle with Nigel Mansell to take third.

Britain's Damon Hill is just one point behind World Championship leader Michael Schumacher after a dramatic win in a crash-marred race. The Williams team gave Hill every chance with superior pit-stop strategy and he made the most of it to claim his sixth win this season. "It was absolutely thrilling," he said after holding off a determined charge by the Benetton star. "I did not have a moment to rest, it was flat out all the way," he said. "I could not be cautious but it is satisfying to race like that."

Nigel Mansell and Jean Alesi put on a breath-taking display of racing as they battled for third position. The pair were locked in combat on the track with Mansell desperately trying to get by in his Williams as spray from the front and rear tyres made visibility a real problem. Ahead of them Damon Hill, who had inherited the lead when Michael Schumacher stopped for fuel, was making the most of his opportunity. Mansell finally outmanoeuvred Alesi on the line but, on aggregate, the Ferrari driver still claimed third.

Michael Schumacher took the lead in spectacular style as the race got underway in atrocious conditions. Schumacher swept across the track, his wheels spinning and the tail of his Benetton sliding, as he ensured he had the edge on the first corner. Damon Hill tucked in behind in his Williams but, with the rain falling heavily, he was driving near blind to stay right behind his rival. Within just three laps, the safety car came out leaving the remaining 22 cars - four had already spun out - to continue in formation.

Britain's Johnny Herbert was among the early victims of the weather as his return to Benetton ended in bitter disappointment on lap three. Herbert spun off the slippery track just as the safety car came out to slow the race. "I hit a puddle and it felt as if I spun a dozen times" he said. "It's undriveable." Already out were newcomers Hideki Noda in the Larrousse and Takachiho Inoue in the Simtek. The experienced Japanese driver Ukyo Katayama also aquaplaned off the track and out of the race.

Martin Brundle suffered a horrific crash as the red flag came out to halt the race after 15 wet laps. A marshal was taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg after being struck by Brundle's McLaren and the driver himself was lucky to avoid crashing into a truck. "It should not have happened. We need to talk about it," he declared. The safety car had been out from laps 3 to 10 and, by the end of the next four laps, the total number of drivers crashing out had risen to at least nine of the 26 starters.

Result (all classified drivers):
 1 D Hill       GB  Williams 1 hr 55 mins 53.53 secs
 2 M Schumacher Ger Benetton 3.365s back
 3 J Alesi      Fr  Ferrari      52.045s
 4 N Mansell    GB  Williams     56.074
 5 E Irvine     GB  Jordan     1:42.107
 6 HH Frentzen  Ger Sauber     1:59.862
 7 M Hakkinen   Fin McLaren    2:02.985
 8 C Fittipaldi Brz Footwork    one lap
 9 E Comas      Fr  Larrousse   one lap
10 M Salo       Fin Lotus       one lap
11 O Panis      Fr  Ligier      one lap
12 D Brabham    Aus Simtek      two laps
13 A Zanardi    It  Lotus       two laps


DRIVERS:
 1 M Schumacher   Ger    92 pts
 2 D Hill         GB     91
 3 G Berger       Aut    35
 4 M Hakkinen     Fin    26
 5 J Alesi        Fr     23
 6 R Barrichello  Brz    16
 7 D Coulthard    GB     14
 8 M Brundle      GB     12
 9 J Verstappen   Hol    10
10 M Blundell     GB      8
11 O Panis        Fr      7
== H Frentzen     Ger     7
13 N Larini       It      6
== C Fittipaldi   Brz     6
== E Irvine       GB      6


CONSTRUCTORS:
 1 Williams Renault   108 points
 2 Benetton Ford      103
 3 Ferrari             64
 4 McLaren Peugeot     38
 5 Jordan Hart         25
 6 Tyrrell Yamaha      13
 7 Sauber Mercedes     12
 8 Ligier              11
 9 Footwork Ford        9
10 Minardi Ford         5
11 Larrousse Ford       2




08.11.94 - F1
World title hopeful Damon Hill is planning talks with Williams bosses about his contract. He is still on a test driver's contract, drawn up before he was named as their second driver behind Alain Prost last season. Hill has led the team since the death of Ayrton Senna earlier this year and is locked in a battle for the title with Michael Schumacher. He told the Sun newspaper that he does not feel the amount he is currently paid reflects his value to the team.




09.11.94 - F1
Damon Hill has launched a bitter war of words with Williams-Renault by accusing them of failing to back him. Hill is adamant that he is not paid what he feels he is worth and is hoping to negotiate a new contract. He said: "I'm pretty disgusted with some of the things that have gone on. I feel they have not made me feel that the team is behind me to win the championship. I reckon I am a lot better than my contract says I am."

JOHN WATSON ON THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX

The stage is now set for a great showdown in Adelaide...not since 1986 with Piquet, Prost and Mansell have we had such a close finish. After the unpredictability of Suzuka we now have another roll of the dice, this time on a street track. The circuit is unforgiving in nature and the weather here has been changeable in the past. I hope the race is won fairly and squarely by the best man and team on the day - Schumacher or Hill, Benetton or Williams-Renault.

Damon Hill and Williams both raised their levels of performance to win the Japanese Grand Prix and the momentum is surely with them. In the past, both team and driver have not always got things right but they were exceptional in Suzuka. The law of averages suggests that Michael Schumacher would have a slightly better chance on Sunday. But the winner will triumph because of what he and his team are able to accomplish on the day and presently Williams are stronger overall. However, it is a very close call.

Another factor favouring Damon Hill is being backed up by a driver of Nigel Mansell's calibre. The fact that Mansell was fastest overall in one of the practice sessions at Suzuka illustrates the value of having a strong partner. This will be the fourth time that Mansell has been in the car and even he will benefit from that experience. Mansell could work his way onto pole position in Adelaide and that would be a crucial distraction for Michael Schumacher.

The street circuit at Adelaide will provide the sternest test possible to decide the outcome of this year's championship. Traditionally, this track has shown us that the most minute error can result in cars being forced into instant retirement. Drivers have to be precise and at the championship's other street circuit in Monaco, it was Michael Schumacher who reigned supreme. Ultimately, I feel it is going to come down to the strength of character of both drivers.

If one thing is clear, it is that Adelaide does tend to favour the powerful cars. While Michael Schumacher is more of what I call a complete driver, it is undeniable that Hill has got the benefit of greater power with his Williams-Renault. However, it will be a long, hard race with traffic always being the uncontrollable factor. Throughout the season, it has been Schumacher who has proved himself to be more consistent in this respect.

This kind of climax to the season is just what Formula One needs to give to its spectators and viewers. However, the circumstances leading up to the battle going to the wire have come about in a highly unsatisfactory manner. In reality, Schumacher should have been champion four or five races ago but his and Benetton's actions have given us this unexpected bonus. It has to be said that it was the two-race ban after Silverstone and the Belgian GP disqualification that set up this exciting finish.

The importance of Damon Hill's win in Japan cannot really be emphasied enough, in my opinion. Had he finished second, the gap of nine points instead of the current one in the drivers' standings would have made his task in Adelaide almost impossible. There is an interesting parallel to be drawn from the 1962 championship showdown between Damon's father Graham Hill and Jim Clark. Clark led the final race in South Africa but when he had to retire, Hill clinched the championship.

The battle for the constructor's championship looks as if it is a lot more pre-determined. Williams are surely set to edge out Benetton in the contest that is of less interest to the public but of paramount importance to the teams. With many cars damaged at Suzuka, team engineers will be struggling in their makeshift workshops. This is the first time we have had grands prix on back-to-back weekends outside Europe and working so far from the regular team bases will stretch their resources.

Ford have announced they are joining forces with the Sauber Formula One team for next season. The Swiss-based company will use the three-litre Zetec-R engine which has powered Michael Schumacher's Benetton this season. Owner Peter Sauber said: "I am convinced the Sauber-Ford car will be able to compete for the top places in the coming season." Mercedes, currently with Sauber, has switched to the McLaren team, while Benetton has signed a three-year contract with Renault.




11.11.94 - F1: THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX
Nigel Mansell upstaged title rivals Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill by snatching provisional pole for Sunday's Formula One finale. He put an early spin behind him to to edge ahead of Schumacher with a lap of 1 min 16.179 secs in his Williams-Renault. The German suffered a spectacular crash in the dying seconds as he tried to beat Mansell's time but walked away unharmed. His earlier 1:16.197 was good enough to leave Hill with the prospect of a second row start.

Nigel Mansell was at his brilliant best as he claimed provisional pole after narrowly avoiding a nasty crash in Friday's opening session. He came round a blind corner to find Johnny Herbert's Benetton blocking the track but managed to spin to a halt in the nick of time. "You have to have a sense of humour when you come round a corner full bore and see the track blocked," Mansell commented. "I gave myself a lap to settle down and then tried to give it the big one and it was just quick enough."

Title-chasing Michael Schumacher was a relieved man after walking away unhurt from a crash in the final moments of Friday practice. He lost control coming out of the Senna chicane and two wheels were torn off as his car hit the wall. "I went up the kerb going into the chicane. The front of the car jumped away, I went onto the next kerb and then the car was sideways, out of control," he said. "I was worried about this kerb and yesterday asked for changes. They did something, but not enough."

Damon Hill suffered problems with the set-up of his Williams as he was outpaced by teammate Nigel Mansell in opening practice. "I seemed to lose a bit of balance. I'm disappointed, but not disheartened," said Hill, who ended the session only third fastest. "We learnt a lot today and with a bit of work tonight we can use that. It's good for the team that Nigel is on pole," he added. "Psychologically it is important to be on the front row...but I'll do it tomorrow."

Friday's qualifying times:    mins secs
 1 N Mansell    GB  Williams   1:16.179
 2 M Schumacher Ger Benetton   1:16.197
 3 D Hill       GB  Williams   1:16.830
 4 M Hakkinen   Fin McLaren    1:16.992
 5 R Bar'chello Brz Jordan     1:17.537
 6 E Irvine     NI  Jordan     1:17.667
 7 J Herbert    GB  Benetton   1:17.277
 8 J Alesi      Fr  Ferrari    1:17.801
 9 M Brundle    GB  McLaren    1:17.950
10 H Frentzen   Ger Sauber     1:17.962
11 G Berger     Aut Ferrari    1:18.070
12 O Panis      Fr  Ligier     1:18.072
13 M Blundell   GB  Tyrrell    1:18.237
14 A Zanardi    It  Lotus      1:18.331
15 U Katayama   Jpn Tyrrell    1:18.411
16 M Alboreto   It  Minardi    1:18.755
17 JJ Lehto     Fin Sauber     1:18.806
18 P Martini    It  Minardi    1:18.957
19 C Fittipaldi Brz Footwork   1:19.061
20 F Lagorce    Fr  Ligier     1:19.153
21 G Morbidelli It  Footwork   1:19.610
22 M Salo       Fin Lotus      1:19.844
23 H Noda       Jpn Larrousse  1:20.145
24 D Brabham    Aus Simtek     1:20.442
25 J Deletraz   Fr  Larrousse  1:22.422
26 O Sch'rella  It  Simtek     1:22.529
27 P Belmondo   Fr  Pacific    1:24.087
28 B Gachot     Fr  Pacific    7:40.317




12.11.94 - F1: THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX
Nigel Mansell will start from pole position in Sunday's race after heavy rain restricted speeds in the final qualifying session. It was particularly frustrating for Williams teammate Damon Hill, who was denied the chance to improve his third place on the grid. Mansell, who clocked 1 min 16.179 secs on Friday, is joined on the front row by Hill's title rival Michael Schumacher. The German's 1:32.627 was the best time in the wet, with Hill second fastest after clocking 1:33.792.

Nigel Mansell slammed suggestions that he would try to hinder Michael Schumacher in a bid to help Damon Hill win the world title on Sunday. "That is a disgraceful suggestion. It is beyond professionalism and I don't even want to talk about it. They have got their own race and the last thing I want to do is interfere," Mansell commented. "These are two great drivers, who have got themselves into a position to challenge for the championship. I just hope the best driver in the best car wins," he added.

Damon Hill promised a clean fight with title rival Michael Schumacher in Sunday's race after rain wrecked his chances of a front row start. "Obviously there are such things as race tactics...but there would be no pride in playing dirty tricks. "It is not necessary. It would be a shame if that happened," said Hill, who is bidding to emulate the world title success of his father Graham. "I'm just looking to go out and get ahead of Michael. That's the best position to be in," he added. Hill will start from third on the grid.

German ace Michael Schumacher was in confident mood after proving his mastery in wet conditions during the final practice session. He will start the race with a one point lead over title rival Damon Hill and expressed a hope for more rain during the race. "At Suzuka I didn't (wish for rain) because the car wasn't handling the way I like it - this time it is," the Benetton driver explained. Schumacher was involved in a heavy crash in Friday's session but said he felt no ill-effects.

Final qualifying times:       mins secs
 1 N Mansell    GB  Williams   1:16.179
 2 M Schumacher Ger Benetton   1:16.197
 3 D Hill       GB  Williams   1:16.830
 4 M Hakkinen   Fin McLaren    1:16.992
 5 R Bar'chello Brz Jordan     1:17.537
 6 E Irvine     NI  Jordan     1:17.667
 7 J Herbert    GB  Benetton   1:17.277
 8 J Alesi      Fr  Ferrari    1:17.801
 9 M Brundle    GB  McLaren    1:17.950
10 H Frentzen   Ger Sauber     1:17.962
11 G Berger     Aut Ferrari    1:18.070
12 O Panis      Fr  Ligier     1:18.072
13 M Blundell   GB  Tyrrell    1:18.237
14 A Zanardi    It  Lotus      1:18.331
15 U Katayama   Jpn Tyrrell    1:18.411
16 M Alboreto   It  Minardi    1:18.755
17 JJ Lehto     Fin Sauber     1:18.806
18 P Martini    It  Minardi    1:18.957
19 C Fittipaldi Brz Footwork   1:19.061
20 F Lagorce    Fr  Ligier     1:19.153
21 G Morbidelli It  Footwork   1:19.610
22 M Salo       Fin Lotus      1:19.844
23 H Noda       Jpn Larrousse  1:20.145
24 D Brabham    Aus Simtek     1:20.442
25 J Deletraz   Fr  Larrousse  1:22.422
26 O Sch'rella  It  Simtek     1:22.529
NON-QUALIFIERS
27 P Belmondo   Fr  Pacific    1:24.087
28 B Gachot     Fr  Pacific    7:40.317




13.11.94 - F1: THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX
Michael Schumacher clinched the world drivers' championship in the most controversial fashion after a dramatic crash with Damon Hill. Both men had to retire after a shunt on lap 36 of a grand prix eventually won by Nigel Mansell. Schumacher appeared to be at fault as he bounced into a wall and back onto the track before stopping Hill moving into the lead on the inside. The Benetton ace cut out the Briton as he tried to pass and damage to both cars left Schumacher one point clear in the drivers' standings.

Nigel Mansell's race victory was overshadowed by the crash between Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill which decided the world title. Mansell assumed the lead on lap 36 after the collision but had to hold off fierce opposition from Gerhard Berger for his 31st grand prix win. Ferrari's Berger had to settle for second, while Briton Martin Brundle finished third in his McLaren. Williams-Renault were consoled after Damon Hill's disaster as they took the constructors' championship thanks to Mansell's victory.

The crash on lap 36 is sure to cast doubts over Michael Schumacher's world title victory in Adelaide. He and Hill were heading into the east terrace stretch of the track when Schumacher dramatically lost the line on the corner and bounced into the containing wall and back. Schumacher appeared to deliberately block Hill after his mistake and so ensured that the Englishman could not go through in first place. Hill drove on briefly after the shunt but damage to the front wheel and wishbone forced his retirement.

World champion Michael Schumacher paid tribute to worthy challenger Damon Hill after the crash that put them both out of the race. He said: "It was a very great battle between me and Damon. I made some comments this year about how I did not have respect for him but I have to say now that I was wrong. He was a great rival and he did a fantastic job. As far as winning the world championshop goes, it is like I am sitting here in a dream - I just can't express my feelings."

Michael Schumacher offered his world championship triumph to the memory of Ayrton Senna as he collected his thoughts in Adelaide. Schumacher became the first German to win the drivers' title but shrugged off praise to honour Senna who died at Imola this season. He said: "It hasn't sunk in that I have won yet. I want to dedicate this victory to Ayrton Senna. I always thought he'd win the championship this year. For me he was the greatest."

Michael Schumacher claimed it was a steering problem that caused him to collide with Damon Hill in Adelaide. He said: "I just wanted to turn into the corner and suddenly I saw Damon next to me and we just hit each other. I went up in the air, I was afraid because I thought I was going to roll over, but the car came back. My steering was not working. When I looked Damon was just there, I drove over his front wheel. When I hit the wall the steering broke."

Benetton team boss Flavio Briatore spoke of his delight at Michael Schumacher becoming world champion. He said: "I am happy. We have split the two titles as Williams will take the constructors championship. It has been a very difficult year for all of us, a hard year and we hope now it is over we never have another one like it. Michael had to walk back into the garage from his crash and it was like a casino. A big party. When I saw the crash I was worried but someone was looking after us."

Distraught Damon Hill tried to put a brave face on his Adelaide misery after watching his world title hopes dashed by Michael Schumacher. Hill, who retired after a crash with Schumacher, said: "It was a terrific race but it's over now. I have just got this empty feeling inside me. I saw an opportunity to overtake and thought I had to go for it, but it wasn't to be. I have to say everyone at Williams deserves a medal after the season we have had but I'll tell you this, we'll be back again next year."

Nigel Mansell smiled broadly after winning the Australian Grand Prix but offered consoling words for Williams team mate Damon Hill. He said: "I'd just like to offer my sympathies to Damon for missing out on the title but also my congratulations on his achievements. "I had a very difficult year in America and this is a very emotional win for me," he added. "It had been the sort of year where I asked myself a lot of questions, so the emotion of being on the podium was fantastic."

Damon Hill refused to condemn world title winner Michael Schumacher for the collision that put an end to an exciting championship contest. Hill, who appeared to be the victim of Schumacher's error, said: "I am not going to be drawn on the interpretation of what happened. That is something other people will do and I'm sure the debate over it will go on for a long time. We thought we had a chance but at the moment it is just difficult to accept it is finally over."

Team boss Frank Williams ruled out the possibility of an official protest over the crash between Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill. The Williams-Renault supremo said it simply had not crossed his mind to complain about the incident that denied Hill a chance of winning the world championship. Williams said: "I have only seen the crash once. It's clearly controversial so I'd rather say nothing. A protest would serve no purpose."


Final result:              hrs:mins.secs
 1 N Mansell    GB  Williams 1:47.51.480
 2 G Berger     Aut Ferrari  @ 2.5  secs
 3 M Brundle    GB  McLaren  @52.48 secs
 4 R Bar'chello Brz Jordan @1.10.53 secs
 5 O Panis      Fr  Ligier    @ 1 lap
 6 J Alesi      Fr  Ferrari   @ 1 lap
 7 H Frentzen   Ger Sauber    @ 1 lap
 8 C Fittipaldi Brz Footwork  @ 1 lap
 9 PL Martini   It  Minardi   @ 2 laps
10 JJ Lehto     Fin Sauber    @ 2 laps
11 F Lagorce    Fr  Ligier    @ 2 laps
12 M Hakkinen   Fin McLaren   @ 5 laps


NOT CLASSIFIED:              Laps:
M Alboreto   It  Minardi      69
M Blundell   GB  Tyrrell      66
J Deletraz   Swi Larrousse    56
M Salo       Fin Lotus        49
D Brabham    Aus Simtek       49
A Zanardi    It  Lotus        40
M Schuamcher Ger Benetton     35
D Hill       GB  Williams     35
M Sch'rella  It  Simtek       21
U Katayama   Jpn Tyrrell      19
H Noda       Jpn Larrousse    18
G Morbidelli It  Footwork     17
E Irvine     NI  Jordan       15
J Herbert    GB  Benetton     13


Final standings:
 1 M Schumacher   Ger    92 pts
 2 D Hill         GB     91
 3 G Berger       Aut    41
 4 M Hakkinen     Fin    26
 5 J Alesi        Fr     24
 6 R Barrichello  Brz    19
 7 M Brundle      GB     16
 8 D Coulthard    GB     14
 9 N Mansell      GB     13
10 J Verstappen   Hol    10
11 O Panis        Fr      9
12 M Blundell     GB      8
13 H Frentzen     Ger     7


Final standings:
 1 Williams Renault   118 points
 2 Benetton Ford      103
 3 Ferrari             71
 4 McLaren Peugeot     42
 5 Jordan Hart         28
 6 Ligier              13
 = Tyrrell Yamaha      13
 8 Sauber Mercedes     12
 9 Footwork Ford        9
10 Minardi Ford         5
11 Larrousse Ford       2


GRAND PRIX WINNERS IN 1994:
Brazil       Michael Schumacher
Pacific      Michael Schumacher
San Marino   Michael Schumacher
Monaco       Michael Schumacher
Spain        Damon Hill
Canada       Michael Schumacher
France       Michael Schumacher
Britain      Damon Hill
Germany      Gerhard Berger
Hungary      Michael Schumacher
Belgium      Damon Hill (after M Schumacher disqualified)
Italy        Damon Hill
Portugal     Damon Hill
Europe       Michael Schumacher
Japan        Damon Hill
Australia    Nigel Mansell




14.11.94
Nigel Mansell should know his Formula One future within the next few weeks. The former world champion won the Australian GP in Adelaide on Sunday and helped Williams to clinch their seventh constructors' championship. Damon Hill is under contract to Williams for 1995 so the other seat seems to be between Mansell or the promising Scot David Coulthard. Team owner Frank Williams said: "I know everything I need to know about all the drivers by now, but it is a very difficult decision."




15.11.94 - F1
Michael Schumacher has hit back at accusations that he cheated his way to the Formula One world title. Hill's fans and some British newspapers have claimed that the German deliberately blocked Hill as the pair clashed in Adelaide. Schumacher said: "They are allowed to have their opinion. I know what happened and Damon knows. "I did not get the feeling that he was bitter about it. When you look at the whole year I think it is completely okay that I won."




16.11.94 - F1
Britain's Damon Hill must wait to discover whether the FIA will investigate Michael Schumacher's world championship success. Hill lost the title by one point to the German driver after the pair collided during the Australian Grand Prix last Sunday. It is claimed that the official FIA observer at the race will present a report blaming Schumacher for the incident. An FIA spokesman said: "There'll be a report and it will be considered as it is after every race."




17.11.94 - PREVIEW OF THE RAC RALLY
Frenchman Didier Auriol sets off from Chester on Sunday knowing that a top four finish will earn him his first World Championship crown. Auriol, in a Toyota Celica GT4, leads the title race by 110 points to 99 after snatching victory from Championship rival Carlos Sainz in the closing stages in San Remo. "El Matador" now faces a difficult task to claim a third world crown. Ahead of the battling duo - and 183 other competitors - will be four days of action over 29 timed stages totalling 323.37 high speed miles.

Finn Juha Kankkunen with British co-driver Nicky Grist will be first away at the start of the Network Q RAC Rally in Chester on Sunday. Kankkunen, four-time world champion and last year's RAC winner, drives the "new shape" Toyota Celica in its British debut. Teammate Didier Auriol stays with his trusty Celica Turbo 4wd as he bids to add the driver's title to the manufacturers' award already retained by Toyota in 1994. Kankkunen's hopes of retaining his crown disappeared in San Remo.

Ford Motorsport enter a six-car team for the final round of the World Championship, as they mark their last appearance in the series. Top Ford seed is French star Francois Delecour with co-driver Daniel Grataloup, competing in only their fifth event of the season. Delecour, winner in Monte Carlo, has been involved in much of Ford's pre-event testing with the Escort Cosworth and is in determined mood. He is joined by Miki Biasion, Stig Blomqvist, Malcolm Wilson, recent recruit Bruno Thiry and Ari Vatanen.

Spaniard Carlos Sainz looks for a repeat of 1990 and '92 when he took his season's tally to four with RAC success to capture the world crown. Sainz has only one victory to his credit, the Acropolis, for 1994 but has a serious chance to win a third world title if he can overhaul Didier Auriol in the final round. Among his main rivals for RAC glory will be his 555 Subaru teammates Colin McRae and rising star Richard Burns, all in 4wd Imprezas.

Carlos Sainz describes the Network Q RAC Rally as the most difficult event on the World Championship calendar, despite winning it twice. "I need to win and for Didier Auriol to be out of the top four to win the world title. If he retires, I will just be going for points. My main objective since the start of the year has been to win the title and this is still my aim. The car is ready for the RAC but I know it will not be easy. I find it a tough event because there is only limited practice at slow speeds."

Carlos Sainz took his overall World Rally Championship tally to 14 with victory in Greece but damaged his world title hopes in San Remo. Sainz lost out to his main rival Didier Auriol on the final day and admitted: "The car was not set up properly. It was my mistake." It has been a tough season for the popular Spaniard. "At the start of the year we were trying to score points while still developing the new car. It was very difficult. The team is very professional and we have done okay."

Carlos Sainz is quite clear about the highlights of 1994. "My victory in the Acropolis - and the birth of my son Carlos a couple of months ago." Sainz also has a daughter Blanca, aged 18 months. He has just one ambition left for 1994, to win the world crown. "We have a chance although I don't know how big a chance since it will depend a lot on Didier Auriol. Realistically it is going to be difficult...but not impossible."

Scot Colin McRae has led the RAC Rally during the last three events, only to suffer an accident or misfortune and go out of contention. The Subaru star once again starts as top British contender despite a superb third place finish last year by Ford driver Malcolm Wilson. McRae went off while leading in '91 and the following year suffered brake failure on exactly the same corner, eventually finishing sixth. He retired while leading last year. "If I don't win soon, my supporters will go elsewhere," joked the Scot.

Top Brit Colin McRae heads for Chester full of determination after recovering from a poor start to the season with two Championship wins. "New Zealand was the turning point and then to win again in Australia really took the pressure off. It was the first time in five years that Juha Kankkunen had been beaten. I was also really pleased with fifth place in San Remo since it was my first time there. We can now concentrate on winning the RAC Rally. The competition will be tough but we have a good chance."

Colin McRae works hard on fitness, using hotel gyms and a mountain bike he takes everywhere with him. He is also a reluctant runner. His efforts will help him through four tough days on the RAC Rally. "I'll be driving on the safe side of flat out from the start," he promised. "You can't afford to back off but it's easy to make a mistake. "The first day spectator stages are much better than they used to be. The best of them is Donington. It's a really good stage, ideal for spectators and very safe."

Richard Burns is Subaru's youngest driver but his confidence is skyhigh after a great result in the Hong Kong-Beijing marathon. The 23-year-old from Reading was runner-up behind his teammate there Possum Bourne and is excited at the prospect of competing "at home". "I have been looking forward to the RAC Rally since the end of last year's event," he said. "Competing at World Championship level has brought my game up and it will be great to be on familiar territory once again."

Spaniard Jesus Puras made a late entry into the rally after his comfortable lead in the Group N Championship was challenged in San Remo by Germany's Isolde Holderied. Another win for Holderied and her Swedish co-driver Christina Thorner would give them the Group N title to add to the women's world crown. Skoda's steady performance in every round sees them leading the Formula Two World Cup for manufacturers of non-turbocharged front-wheel-drive 2-litre cars. David Llewellin leads the challenge from Vauxhall/Opel and Nissan are also in contention.

Will Hoy switches from British Touring Car racing to the rougher tracks, making his RAC Rally debut in a Group N Toyota Celica turbo. Multiple British champion Russell Brookes celebrates the 25th anniversary of his first start in the rally by competing in a Mini Cooper - as he did in 1969. His best finish was second in 1979. The Mini celebrates its 35th anniversary with five entries, including one from twin brothers Robert and Michael Plant delighted that Rover have homologated the car for international competition again.

This year's Network Q RAC Rally marks the 50th running of the event which was first held in 1932. Competitors will follow a 1468-mile route, starting and finishing in Chester, including 29 timed stages over 323.37 competitive miles. Two million spectators are expected to turn out over the four days and at least 11,000 volunteer officials will be on hand to help the event run smoothly.

Janie Eaton from Essex is set to be the youngest driver in the event. She passed her driving test in January and celebrates her 18th birthday on day two of the rally.


Rally HQ - Moat House International Hotel, Trinity Street, Chester

SATURDAY, 19 November ****

0700-1200/1230-1600 Scrutineering at the Northgate Arena, St Oswald's Way, Chester. Well signed. Car parking in city centre but better to use the Park and Ride from Upton Admission #6, children under 16 œ2.

Key to spectator guide
**** = excellent viewing with lots of car parking; commentary
***  = reasonable viewing/parking
**   = limited access/poor parking
*    = not recommended for viewing


SUNDAY, 20 November
0800 Chester ****

Rally starts Eastgate Street, Chester. Follow signs to venue. Car parking very limited in city centre

0831 SS1 Ferodo Carden Park ****

Stage length: 2.61 miles. New stage over twisty tarmac roads through open parkland. Good viewing from raised earth banks. Located 9 miles SE of Chester off A534. Only access through main entrance. Admission œ6, children under 16 œ1.

0951 SS2 Tatton Park ****

4.27 miles over tarmac and loose surface tracks through estate. Good vantage points within easy access of car parks. Woods section closed. Located 1 mile N of Knutsford on A50 Stoke to Warrington road.

1143 SS3 Chatsworth ****

6.53 miles around the Duke of Devonshire's estate, over fast and open roads with twisty hill sections. Two spectacular watersplashes and a jump. Located 9 miles W of Chesterfield. Approach on A623, A619 or A621.

1318 SS4 Mobil 1 Clumber Park ****

5.70 miles featuring fast tarmac roads with many tight corners within parkland, as well as some forest roads on the south side - to be shown live on BBC TV. Cars in the Millers Oils RAC International Historic Rally will tackle the stage twice from 0958 onwards at 30-second intervals. Location 4 miles south of Worksop. From A1, approach via A57; from the south use A614, A616 then B6034. From M1 leave at jn30 and take A616.

1502 & 1514 SS5/SS6 Jamo ****

Donington 1 & 2 Circuit and gravel roads on a 4-mile stage. Narrow in places with tricky corners. Stage used twice with cars starting at 30-second intervals. Historic cars also tackle the stage twice from 1159 onwards. Location 2.5 miles W of M1 near Castle Donington. Plenty of car parking; spectator access through the main entrance at Coppice and Macleans. Note: no access from Melbourne Lane.

1744 SS7 Harewood Hill ****

1.86 miles with stage starting down a narrow and tricky loose surface track and finishing up the smooth tarmac hairpins of the British Hillclimb Championship course. Located off A659, 1 mile E of Harewood. Avoid A659 between Pool village and Harewood Bridge. No parking in Harewood or on roadside.

1858 Finish of leg, Harrogate ****

Free admission to Harrogate Exhibition Halls, junction of Ripon Road and Kings Road. Well signed.


MONDAY, 21 November
0500 Harrogate Exhibition Halls *

the re-start. Admission free. Stages 8-11 car parks open midnight Sunday; stage 12 9.30am, stage 13 9am; stages 14/15 11am; œ5 per car

0704 SS8 Hamsterley ***

16.86 miles. Located nr Hamsterley village 3 miles west of A68.

0910 SS9 Shepherdshield ***

7.67 miles. Located 9 miles NW of Chollerford. Take B6320 to Wark and unclassified road towards Whygate.

0934 SS10 Pundershaw ***

28.18 miles. Located 3 miles west of Bellingham. Take B6320 through Wark, then unclassified road towards Whygate.

1113 SS11 Chirdonhead **

10.58 miles. Located 11 miles NW of Bellingham. Head for Kielder village, via Saughtree or from Wark and park near Low Cranecleugh.

1219 SS12 Wauchope **

8.80 miles. Located 8 miles SE of Hawick on B6357, one mile SE of Bonchester Bridge.

1301 SS13 Kershope ***

19.55 miles. Located 2 miles SE of Newcastleton. Use B6357 and turn east over bridge on to unclassified road at the south end of village.

1604 SS14 Grizedale West ***

17.33 miles. Located 6 miles SW of Ambleside, W of minor road through Satterthwaite and Grizedale.

1643 SS15 Grizedale East ***

4.85 miles. Located as SS14 but E of minor road through Grizedale.

2000 Finish of leg, Chester ***

Little Roodee car park Grosvenor Rd


TUESDAY, 22 November
0500 Rally re-starts Little *

Roodee car park, Grosvenor Road, Chester. Admission free. Stages 16-18 car parks open 8pm Monday; stage 19 7am Tuesday; stage 20 8am; stage 21/22 8pm Monday; œ5 per car.

0649 SS16 Dyfnant 1 *

13.46 miles. Located 2 miles West of Llanfyllin. Use A458 (Welshpool- Dolgellau) and B4395. No spectator access to the stage start or finish.

0822 SS17 Sweetlamb Hafren ***

18.00 miles. Located 6 miles W of Llanidloes near Clywedog Reservoir. From the south use A470 or A44, from N/E take B4518 for 3 miles, turning west onto unclassified road alongside Clywedog Lake.

1048 SS18 Brechfa ***

20.29 miles. Located 2 miles W of Brechfa. Take A485 to New Inn then SE on unclassified road. No access through Brechfa or Gwernogle.

1143 SS19 Trawscoed ***

22.76 miles. Located 3 miles NE of Trawscoed. Use B4537 (not B4310).

1333 SS20 Crychan **

3.88 miles. Located 2 miles south of Llanwrtyd Wells. Use A483.

1511 SS21 Hafren 2 ***

20.53 miles. Located 6 miles W of Llanidloes near Clywedog Reservoir. Use A470, A4 or B4510 for 3 miles, turning west onto unclassified road

1655 SS22 Dyfnant 2 *

13.46 miles. Located 2 miles west of Llanfyllin. Use A458 and B4395.

1930 Finish of leg, Chester ***

Little Roodee car park Grosvenor Rd



WEDNESDAY, 23 November
0515 Rally re-starts Little *

Roodee car park, Grosvenor Road, Chester. Admission free. Stages 23-25 car parks open 4am; stages 26/27 6am; stages 28/29 8am; œ5 per car.

0741 SS23 Pantperthog ***

9.41 miles. Located 2.5 miles north of Machynlleth, west of A487. Use A487 from south. No right turn off A487 from the north - go to SS24 instead.

0810 SS24 Dyfi ***

14.57 miles. Located 4 miles N of Machynlleth, E of A487. Use A487. From S go via Machynlleth, B4404 and unclassified road north. From SE take A489 from Newtown, A470, A489, B4404 and unclassified road. From E use A458, A470 to Aberangell then west on unclassified road.

0853 SS25 Gartheiniog ***

14.04 miles. Located 7 miles north of Machynlleth, west of A470. From E use A458, A470 to Aberangell and the unclassified road west. From N take A470 from Dolgellau and turn west at Aberangell.

1052 SS26 Penmachno South ***

8.31 miles. Located 3 miles S of A5 at Conwy Falls (near Betws-y-Coed). From S go via Ffestiniog, B4391, B4407 and N on unclassified road (closed 30 mins before first car).

1113 SS27 Penmachno North ***

6.25 miles. Located 2 miles S of A5 at Conwy Falls (near Betws-y-Coed). Directions as for SS26.

1220 SS28 Clocaenog West ***

3.75 miles. Located 10 miles west of Ruthin. From S use B5105 and A5. From E take B5105 from Ruthin.

1232 SS29 Clocaenog East ***

12.04 miles. Final stage. Located 10 miles west of Ruthin. From S use B5105 and A5. From E take B5105 from Ruthin. From N take B4501 from Denbigh and unclassified road to Cyffyliog.

1455 Finish of rally, Chester ****

Free admission to watch the cars arrive at Chester Race Course. Well signed. Use Sealand Road and city centre car parks. The Park & Ride from Upton operates between 7am and 6.45pm. Full commentary and grandstand seating.


PAST WINNERS:

1993 Juha Kankkunen/Nicky Grist      Toyota Celica turbo
1992 Carlos Sainz/Luis Moya          Toyota Celica turbo
1991 Juha Kankkunen/Juha Pironen     Lancia Delta HF Integrale
1990 Carlos Sainz/Luis Moya          Toyota Celica GT-4
1989 Pentti Airikkala/Ronan McNamee  Mitsubishi Galant VR-4
1988 Markku Alen/Ilkka Kivimaki      Lancia Delta HF Integrale
1987 Juha Kankkunen/Juha Pironen     Lancia Delta HF
1986 Timo Salonen/Seppo Harjanne     Peugeot 205 turbo 16
1985 Henri Toivonen/Neil Wilson      Lancia Delta S4


Drivers' world standings  (after San Remo Rally)
1 D Auriol    Fr  Toyota     110 points
2 C Sainz     Sp  Subaru      99
3 J Kankkunen Fin Toyota      78
4 M Biasion   It  Ford        42
5 B Thiry     Bel Ford        32
6 A Schwarz   Ger Mitsubishi  31
7 F Delecour  Fr  Ford        30
8 C McRae     GB  Subaru      29

Manufacturers
1 Toyota     151 points  Championship winners
2 Subaru     134
3 Ford       102
4 Mitsubishi  41


NETWORK Q RAC RALLY - SELECTED ENTRIES
  1 Kankkunen/Grist    Fin/GB  Toyota
  2 Sainz/Moya         Sp/Sp   Subaru
  3 Delecour/Grataloup Fr/Fr   Ford
  4 McRae/Ringer       GB/GB   Subaru
  5 Biasion/Siviero    It/It   Ford
  6 Auriol/Occelli     Fr/Fr   Toyota
  7 Jonsson/Johansson  Swe/Swe Ford
  9 Burns/Reid         GB/GB   Subaru
 10 Wilson/Thomas      GB/GB   Ford
 11 Thiry/Prevot       Bel/Bel Ford
 12 Blomqvist          Swe     Ford
 14 Fujimoto/Hertz     Jap/Swe Toyota
 15 Llewellin/Grindrod GB/GB   Vauxhall
 16 A McRae/Senior     GB/GB   Nissan F2
 17 De Mevius/Lux      Bel/Bel Opel   F2
 24 Brookes/Wilson     GB/GB   Mini C F2
 27 G Evans/Davis      GB/GB   Ford   F2
 30 Holderied/Horner   Ger/Swe Mitsubi'i
       (1994 women's world champion)
 31 A McHale           Ire     Toyota
 32 Milner/Turvey      GB/GB   Ford
126 Simmonite/Simmonite GB/GB  Peugeot
       (1994 national women's champion)
151 Mallory/Mee        GB/GB   Lada
       (1993 national women's champion)


F1:- Formula One's governing body, the FIA, have received the report of an official observer at last Sunday's Australian Grand Prix. Michael Schumacher won the world title after colliding with the car of rival Damon Hill in Adelaide. Neither Hill nor his Williams team have complained about the crash but there has been speculation that the German may be stripped of the title after consideration of the report. But a fine seems more likely if Schumacher is found to have committed any driving offence.




20.11.94
THE RAC RALLY

Super Scot Colin McRae finished the seven spectator stages leading in his 555 Subaru for the first time on day one of the RAC Rally. McRae took the lead on SS3 as world title challengers Carlos Sainz and Didier Auriol both hit trouble. Sainz recovered to set the fastest time on the challenging Clumber stage but McRae responded and led his teammate by 11 seconds as the rally headed for the Harrogate halt. Last year's winner Juha Kankkunen was back in third in his Toyota, 1 min 40 secs off the pace.

Scot Colin McRae delighted his many thousands of fans around the stages with a determined drive which saw him take the lead at SS3 Chatsworth. McRae was fastest by a massive six seconds on the stage in his works Subaru and moved to the top of the leaderboard, nine seconds ahead of Juha Kankkunen in the Toyota. Teammate Carlos Sainz was a further second back but with problems with his radiator after the watersplash. The car was repaired at service and Sainz answered all concern by recording the fastest time on SS4.

Frenchman Didier Auriol's bid for a first world title suffered a major setback early in the four-day event. The Toyota driver was in trouble on the third spectator stage, at Chatsworth, losing about 4.5 minutes when he clipped a rock damaging the front suspension and driveshaft. Subaru star Carlos Sainz, his only rival for the crown, had put him under early pressure setting the fastest time on the opening stage. Auriol has an 11-point lead in the drivers' standings and needs to finish fourth to win the series.

Colin McRae promised to "push at 100%" when the rally resumes in Harrogate early on Monday morning. McRae led by 11 seconds at the end of day one after a troublefree time and declared: "I've been unlucky in recent RACs to this year I am determined to hang on in there. In many ways this is the trickiest day because for the rest of the event you prepare yourself mentally for the long difficult stages. You make your own luck but you cannot win this rally without driving 100%," said the Subaru star.

Carlos Sainz was a relieved driver after surviving a major scare and then seeing his great rival Didier Auriol run into difficulty. Sainz needed repairs to his Subaru after damaging the radiator in the watersplash on SS3 Chatsworth. "I did not realise how deep the water was, it pushed the radiator back so we had no power steering or cooling for 4km. We were lucky not to lose more time or even retire. "Now Didier is further back I have a chance in the Championship. The pressure is on I must go for a win"

LEADERBOARD AFTER SPECIAL STAGE  7

   Driver            Car        H  M  S
 1 C McRae       GB  Subaru       32:44
 2 Sainz         Sp  Subaru       32:55
 3 Kankkunen     Fin Toyota       33:04
 4 Thiry         Bel Ford         33:17
 5 Wilson        GB  Ford         33:18
 6 Biasion       It  Ford         33:29
 7 Blomqvist     Swe Ford         33:42
 8 Burns         GB  Subaru       34:04
 9 Vatanen       Fin Ford         34:06
10 Hill          GB  Mitsubishi   35:07
11 Makinen       Fin Nissan       35:29
12 De Mevius     Bel Opel         35:48
13 Evans         GB  Ford         35:51
14 A McRae       GB  Nissan       35:52
Will Hoy made a spectacular exit from the event, driving his Toyota straight on into the trees at SS3 Clumber - in front of TV cameras. The British touring car driver was 63rd overall, 25th in Group N, when he lost control of the car over a fast series of bumps on gravel. "We were pitched off the road into lots of trees so I chose one. We hit it at 70-80mph," he said. "I had not noticed the bumps earlier." Hoy and co-driver Mike Corner were unhurt but the car was damaged.

Rising star Richard Burns suffered a day of frustration as he battled to impress in front of a home crowd. Burns, fresh from a superb second place in the Hong Kong-Beijing Rally, started in confident mood only to spin in his works Subaru on each of the first three stages. "I just could not get into a rhythm but it must have made great television," declared the Reading driver who recovered to set second fastest times on SS4 and SS5. He was lying 103rd after the first stage but battled back to eighth.

Frenchman Francois Delecour has been excluded after an off-the-road excursion on the day's final stage. Delecour went off the Harewood stage and down a steep bank but managed to rejoin the track - in the wrong direction. He eventually finished but in an impossibly fast time, having missed a large part of the stage, and was shown temporarily at the top of the leaderboard after seven stages. Ford have launched an appeal which will be heard by stewards tonight.

A total of 178 cars left Chester in heavy rain on Sunday morning at the start of the 50th RAC Rally. They cover just 29 competitive miles over seven stages on day one out of 323 in total for the four days. Russell Brookes lost time on the opening stage when the primary fuel pump failed on his Mini. Three crews failed to reach the second stage. Tom Somerville (122 Ford) suffered a broken gearbox, John Brazier (127 Vauxhall) did not report at TC2 while Chris Blake (140 Lancia) stopped after problems with the driveshaft.

Welshman David Llewellin suffered a fright when he went off in his Vauxhall Astra on the fifth corner of SS1. "The heavy rain earlier has left a lot of standing water and conditions are very slippery." Juha Kankkunen, four times world champion and three times winner of the RAC Rally, says he is happy with the wet conditions. "I much prefer the rain to the snow." Front-runner Carlos Sainz went off briefly when he went straight on at a junction on SS2 but amazingly his time was just one second off the pace set by Didier Auriol.

Alister McRae led the Formula Two battle after two stages in a Nissan to give the McRae family a unique triple position, with brother Colin in overall rally lead and father Jimmy leading the historic rally. Karamjit Singh (car no 39) lost over four minutes trying to remove a rear wheel damaged when he hit a tree stump on SS2. Mark Higgins (53) completed SS2, Tatton Park, without pacenotes after they had been mislaid.

Great excitement in the Toyota camp over reports that Carlos Sainz's Subaru was pushed into emergency service by Ford's Francois Delecour - but no witnesses have been found and an official prote st is unlikely.

Jimmy McRae lost out to Ake Andersson on the last stage of the two-day FIA European Historic Rally Championship. Andersson, in a Porsche 911, won by five seconds.

Rod Menzies (71 Ford) struggled on the early stages with windscreen wiper problems and had to cope with a broken driveshaft on each of the day's first three stages.

Malloch Nicoll (116 Audi) finished SS3 backwards with co-driver Ian Nicoll sitting in the boot after suffering heavy damage to the front suspension in an off. Their efforts were in vain and they retired. Ford driver Francois Delecour spun on the first lefthand bend at the entrance to the forest section on SS4 Clumber. He still managed the fourth best time, five seconds behind Carlos Sainz to lie sixth. Teammate Malcolm Wilson was shaken after sliding sideways for 100m at high speed in a narrow forestry section on the same stage.

Mitsuo Maeshima (42 Subaru) has struggled with fuel problems. Similar trouble for Gari Henry (79 Ford) who lost his fuel pump on SS1 and crashed on SS2 trying to make up the time, but continued. Skoda driver Steve Wedgbury badly damaged his front nearside and rear axle after going off in Chatsworth and hitting a boulder. He lost the lead in the Group N 1300cc class. Martin Rowe struggled in the new untested Peugeot 306S16. He drove SS3 without windscreen wipers and suffered a misfire at Donington.


FULL LIST OF RESULTS - OVERALL POSITIONS AFTER SPECIAL STAGE 6

  1 C McRae/Ringer       Subaru
                     Car   4 Grp A: 1 Class 8: 1    29:57
  2 Sainz/Moya           Subaru
                     Car   2 Grp A: 2 Class 8: 2    30:08
  3 Kankkunen/Grist      Toyota
                     Car   1 Grp A: 3 Class 8: 3    30:15
  4 Wilson/Thomas        Ford
                     Car  10 Grp A: 4 Class 8: 4    30:28
  5 Thiry/Prevot         Ford
                     Car  11 Grp A: 5 Class 8: 5    30:29
  6 Delecour/Grataloup   Ford
                     Car   3 Grp A: 6 Class 8: 6    30:31
  7 Biasion/Siviero      Ford
                     Car   5 Grp A: 7 Class 8: 7    30:42
  8 Blomqvist/Melander   Ford
                     Car  12 Grp A: 8 Class 8: 8    30:49
  9 Vatanen/Pons         Ford
                     Car   7 Grp A: 9 Class 8: 9    31:14
  9 Burns/Reid           Subaru
                     Car   9 Grp A: 9 Class 8: 9    31:14
 11 Hill/Boyles          Mitsubishi
                     Car  33 Grp A:11 Class 8:11    31:56
 12 Makinen/Harjanne     Nissan
                     Car  18 Grp A:12 Class 7: 1    32:22
 13 A McRae/Senior       Nissan
                     Car  16 Grp A:13 Class 7: 2    32:37
 14 Evans/Davis          Ford
                     Car  27 Grp A:14 Class 7: 3    32:38
 15 De Mevius/Lux        Opel
                     Car  17 Grp A:15 Class 7: 4    32:43
 16 Habig/Judd           Ford
                     Car  38 Grp A:16 Class 8:12    32:51
 17 Kamioka/Stewart      Subaru
                     Car  28 Grp N: 1 Class 4: 1    32:54
 18 Fujimoto/Hertz       Toyota
                     Car  14 Grp A:17 Class 8:13    32:55
 19 Milner/Turvey        Ford
                     Car  32 Grp N: 2 Class 4: 2    32:56
 20 Easson/Cook          Ford
                     Car  35 Grp N: 3 Class 4: 3    33:07
 21 Llewellin/Grindrod   Vauxhall
                     Car  15 Grp A:18 Class 7: 5    33:08
 22 Dyas/Derry           Ford
                     Car  46 Grp N: 4 Class 4: 4    33:15
 23 Jones/Morgan         Mitsubishi
                     Car  43 Grp A:19 Class 8:14    33:29
 23 Kirtley/Geldart      Ford
                     Car  45 Grp A:19 Class 8:14    33:29
 25 Maeshima/Gormley     Subaru
                     Car  42 Grp N: 5 Class 4: 5    33:30
 26 Doctor/Badenberg     Mitsubishi
                     Car  34 Grp N: 6 Class 4: 6    33:40
 27 Worswick/Molyneux    Ford
                     Car  44 Grp A:21 Class 8:16    34:04
 28 Ellis Jones/Lewis    Ford
                     Car  37 Grp N: 7 Class 4: 7    34:05
 28 Humphreys/Jones      Ford
                     Car  52 Grp N: 7 Class 4: 7    34:05
 30 Stephenson/Whittaker Ford
                     Car  49 Grp A:22 Class 8:17    34:09
 30 Jones/Jenkins        Nissan
                     Car  61 Grp A:22 Class 8:17    34:09
 32 Holderied/Thorner    Mitsubishi
                     Car  30 Grp N: 9 Class 4: 9    34:11
 33 Triner/Klima         Skoda
                     Car  22 Grp A:24 Class 5: 1    34:18
 34 Clark/Dyson          Ford
                     Car  48 Grp N:10 Class 4:10    34:26
 35 Puras/Romani         Ford
                     Car  26 Grp N:11 Class 4:11    34:31
 35 Joannides/Dashfield  Ford
                     Car  55 Grp N:11 Class 4:11    34:31
 37 Somerville/Perrin    Ford
                     Car  57 Grp A:25 Class 8:19    34:37
 38 Rowe/Wood            Peugeot
                     Car  40 Grp A:26 Class 7: 6    34:39
 39 Petch/Croft          Ford
                     Car  36 Grp N:13 Class 4:13    34:47
 40 Auriol/Occelli       Toyota
                     Car   6 Grp A:27 Class 8:20    34:48
 40 Barry/Barry          Mitsubishi
                     Car  56 Grp N:14 Class 4:14    34:48
 42 Sibera/Gross         Skoda
                     Car  23 Grp A:28 Class 5: 2    34:50
 43 Curran/Warner        Ford
                     Car  50 Grp A:29 Class 8:21    35:00
 44 Higgins/Simmons      Honda
                     Car  53 Grp N:15 Class 2: 1    35:03
 45 Cox/Eccleston        Vauxhall
                     Car  69 Grp N:16 Class 4:15    35:09
 46 Porter/Foy           Vauxhall
                     Car  87 Grp A:30 Class 6: 1    35:11
 47 Davies/Hobbs         Vauxhall
                     Car  88 Grp N:17 Class 3: 1    35:21
 48 Green/Thomas         Vauxhall
                     Car  92 Grp A:31 Class 6: 2    35:38
 49 Green/Capstick       Ford
                     Car  54 Grp N:18 Class 4:16    35:42
 50 Joel/Capstick        Ford
                     Car  59 Grp N:19 Class 4:17    35:51
 51 Holfeld/Morgan       Ford
                     Car  51 Grp N:20 Class 4:18    35:57
 52 Lancaster/Spooner    Peugeot
                     Car  85 Grp A:32 Class 7: 7    36:04
 52 Jones/Welson         Vauxhall
                     Car 101 Grp A:32 Class 6: 3    36:04
 54 Stoodley/Collins     Peugeot
                     Car  66 Grp A:34 Class 7: 8    36:05
 55 Willoughby/Steward   Ford
                     Car 143 Grp A:35 Class 8:22    36:06
 56 Crabtree/Jordan      Mitsubishi
                     Car  64 Grp N:21 Class 4:19    36:11
 57 Hackett/Davies       Ford
                     Car  75 Grp N:22 Class 4:20    36:12
 58 Skar/Eikasen         Opel
                     Car  67 Grp A:36 Class 7: 9    36:15
 59 Higgins/Park         Peugeot
                     Car  91 Grp A:37 Class 5: 3    36:16
 60 Wetton/Leighton      Volkswagen
                     Car  73 Grp A:38 Class 8:23    36:19
 61 Richardson/Hill      Peugeot
                     Car  93 Grp A:39 Class 7:10    36:25
 62 Coughtrie/Cooledge   Subaru
                     Car 119 Grp N:23 Class 4:21    36:33
 63 Rees/Heymer          Ford
                     Car  74 Grp A:40 Class 8:24    36:45
 64 French/Baines        Volkswagen
                     Car  95 Grp A:41 Class 7:11    36:55
 65 Leckie/Lewis         Ford
                     Car 115 Grp N:24 Class 4:22    36:58
 66 Girardin/Amacher     Ford
                     Car  60 Grp N:25 Class 4:23    36:59
 67 Luer/Schaller        Ford
                     Car  47 Grp N:26 Class 4:24    37:00
 68 Reynolds/Joll        Honda
                     Car  94 Grp N:27 Class 2: 2    37:06
 68 Archer/Cammack       Vauxhall
                     Car 107 Grp N:27 Class 3: 2    37:06
 70 Stromberg/Ohlsson    Saab
                     Car  76 Grp A:42 Class 7:12    37:10
 71 Bown/Bown            Vauxhall
                     Car 108 Grp A:43 Class 7:13    37:11
 72 Johnson/Burkill      Skoda
                     Car 121 Grp A:44 Class 5: 4    37:13
 73 Barge/Stubbs         Ford
                     Car 120 Grp N:29 Class 4:25    37:18
 74 Hunt/McGrogan        Ford
                     Car 102 Grp N:30 Class 4:26    37:19
 75 Youde/Neale          Peugeot
                     Car 113 Grp A:45 Class 7:14    37:22
 76 Sisson/Savage        Ford
                     Car  82 Grp N:31 Class 4:27    37:23
 77 Whitehurst/Atherton  Toyota
                     Car 134 Grp A:46 Class 6: 4    37:27
 78 Evans/Butcher        Peugeot
                     Car  84 Grp A:47 Class 7:15    37:30
 79 Barbara/Desseaux     Ford
                     Car  63 Grp N:32 Class 4:28    37:31
 79 Hill/Hilton          Ford
                     Car  80 Grp N:32 Class 4:28    37:31
 81 Wood/Wood            Saab
                     Car 124 Grp A:48 Class 8:25    37:35
 82 Clarke/Preston       Peugeot
                     Car  97 Grp A:49 Class 7:16    37:37
 83 Jaffray/McGowan      Ford
                     Car  65 Grp A:50 Class 8:26    37:38
 83 Menzies/Thake        Ford
                     Car  71 Grp N:34 Class 4:30    37:38
 85 Smith/Carstairs      Ford
                     Car  62 Grp N:35 Class 4:31    37:48
 85 Wills/Brown          Rover
                     Car 148 Grp N:35 Class 3: 3    37:48
 87 Dalgarno/Taylor      Ford
                     Car 117 Grp N:37 Class 4:32    37:54
 88 Kedward/Cresswell    Ford
                     Car 139 Grp N:38 Class 4:33    37:55
 89 Kollevold/Lie        Peugeot
                     Car 145 Grp N:39 Class 3: 4    37:56
 90 Simmonite/Simmonite  Peugeot
                     Car 126 Grp A:51 Class 7:17    38:12
 91 Reininger/Csosz      Renault
                     Car  81 Grp N:40 Class 3: 5    38:14
 92 Bowers/Stokoe        Peugeot
                     Car 125 Grp A:52 Class 7:18    38:18
 93 Healer/Wynn          Ford
                     Car 141 Grp N:41 Class 4:34    38:26
 94 Kitching/Tatham      Vauxhall
                     Car 173 Grp A:53 Class 6: 5    38:35
 95 Simpson/Booth        Peugeot
                     Car 162 Grp N:42 Class 3: 6    38:37
 96 Ceen/Bull            Ford
                     Car  72 Grp N:43 Class 4:35    38:38
 96 Dewitt/Bowman        Ford
                     Car  83 Grp A:54 Class 8:27    38:38
 98 Hopcraft/Pomfret     Peugeot
                     Car 136 Grp A:55 Class 7:19    38:39
 99 Williams/Sheppard    Vauxhall
                     Car 109 Grp N:44 Class 2: 3    38:44
 99 Bengry/Forsbrook     Peugeot
                     Car 130 Grp A:56 Class 5: 5    38:44
101 Brown/Brooks         Vauxhall
                     Car 114 Grp A:57 Class 6: 6    38:48
102 Smith/Middleton      Suzuki
                     Car 166 Grp N:45 Class 1: 1    38:52
103 Chadwick/Entwistle   Opel
                     Car 163 Grp A:58 Class 5: 6    38:54
104 Kent/Whiten          Peugeot
                     Car 161 Grp N:46 Class 1: 2    38:58
105 Backwall/Rydham      Citroen
                     Car 167 Grp N:47 Class 1: 3    39:00
106 Wilson/Harrison      Vauxhall
                     Car 165 Grp A:59 Class 7:20    39:03
107 Gunningham/Rabbett   Peugeot
                     Car 147 Grp A:60 Class 7:21    39:08
108 Presswell/Cottam     Vauxhall
                     Car 133 Grp A:61 Class 7:22    39:10
108 O'Neill/Curry        Honda
                     Car 150 Grp N:48 Class 2: 4    39:10
110 Menestrier/Gros      Peugeot
                     Car 131 Grp A:62 Class 6: 7    39:12
111 Knott/Connor         Peugeot
                     Car 172 Grp A:63 Class 7:23    39:15
112 Jaques/Jaques        Vauxhall
                     Car 118 Grp N:49 Class 3: 7    39:16
113 Wedgbury/Regan       Skoda
                     Car 137 Grp N:50 Class 1: 4    39:19
113 Bowman/Chew          Ford
                     Car 154 Grp A:64 Class 8:28    39:19
115 Bailey/Loveys        BMW
                     Car  99 Grp A:65 Class 8:29    39:22
115 Andrew/Heather       Peugeot
                     Car 197 Grp N:51 Class 1: 5    39:22
117 Worts/Phillipson     Vauxhall
                     Car 149 Grp A:66 Class 7:24    39:23
118 Marlow/Marlow        Ford
                     Car 123 Grp A:67 Class 8:30    39:25
119 Brookes/Wilson       Rover
                     Car  24 Grp A:68 Class 5: 7    39:32
120 Russell/Ashfield     Ford
                     Car  98 Grp N:52 Class 4:36    39:37
121 Labaune/Sassoulas    Peugeot
                     Car 132 Grp A:69 Class 6: 8    39:39
121 Tilly/Moore          Vauxhall
                     Car 152 Grp N:53 Class 2: 5    39:39
123 Comelli/Candoni      Peugeot
                     Car 144 Grp N:54 Class 3: 8    39:41
124 Jonquieres/Phelippea Peugeot
                     Car 138 Grp N:55 Class 2: 6    39:45
125 Smith/Davies         MG
                     Car 176 Grp N:56 Class 3: 9    39:58
126 Kelly/Davies         Vauxhall
                     Car 129 Grp A:70 Class 7:25    40:03
127 Evans/Hawes          Vauxhall
                     Car 157 Grp N:57 Class 2: 7    40:07
128 Heath/Hely           Ford
                     Car 156 Grp N:58 Class 4:37    40:18
128 Murrell/Davies       Opel
                     Car 179 Grp A:71 Class 5: 8    40:18
130 Wynne/Bevan          Suzuki
                     Car 185 Grp N:59 Class 1: 6    40:37
131 Raven/Terry          Peugeot
                     Car 174 Grp N:60 Class 1: 7    40:39
132 Tyson/Crabtree       Peugeot
                     Car 128 Grp N:61 Class 2: 8    41:09
133 Zamparutti/Ciani     Peugeot
                     Car 110 Grp N:62 Class 3:10    41:18
134 Wheatley/Orr         Skoda
                     Car 180 Grp N:63 Class 1: 8    41:38
135 Stevens/Rodgers      Skoda
                     Car 181 Grp N:64 Class 1: 9    41:43
136 Bennett/Langley      Lancia
                     Car 155 Grp A:72 Class 8:31    41:48
137 Senior/Loveluck      Vauxhall
                     Car 187 Grp N:65 Class 2: 9    41:59
138 Shaw/Prout           Lada
                     Car 170 Grp A:73 Class 5: 9    42:07
139 Mason/Burns          Vauxhall
                     Car 194 Grp N:66 Class 2:10    42:11
140 Gobert/Cloteau       Peugeot
                     Car 168 Grp N:67 Class 3:11    42:21
140 Winstanley/Winstanle Nissan
                     Car 190 Grp N:67 Class 3:11    42:21
142 Fletcher/Chadwick    Peugeot
                     Car 159 Grp N:69 Class 1:10    42:22
143 Timlin/Kenyon        Vauxhall
                     Car 160 Grp A:74 Class 5:10    42:27
144 Godwin/Wyer          Rover
                     Car 184 Grp A:75 Class 5:11    42:28
145 Johnson/Flynn        Rover
                     Car 175 Grp N:70 Class 1:11    42:46
146 Glenister/Nixon      Lada
                     Car 188 Grp A:76 Class 5:12    42:54
147 Bevan/Armstrong      Vauxhall
                     Car 164 Grp N:71 Class 3:13    43:19
148 Skelton/Walker       Skoda
                     Car 182 Grp N:72 Class 1:12    43:20
149 Maundrell/Pain       Peugeot
                     Car 177 Grp A:77 Class 7:26    43:26
150 Gaillard/Epalle      Renault
                     Car 135 Grp N:73 Class 3:14    43:30
151 Crowton/Stewart      MG
                     Car 153 Grp N:74 Class 3:15    43:42
152 Grimes/Deeley        Peugeot
                     Car 195 Grp A:78 Class 7:27    43:55
153 Barry/Gooch          Suzuki
                     Car 186 Grp N:75 Class 1:13    44:01
154 Mallory/Mee          Lada
                     Car 151 Grp A:79 Class 5:13    44:05
155 Lennox/Wood          Peugeot
                     Car 158 Grp A:80 Class 7:28    44:20
156 Henry/Wise           Ford
                     Car  79 Grp N:76 Class 4:38    44:28
157 Boden/Parkhurst      Vauxhall
                     Car 189 Grp N:77 Class 1:14    44:32
158 Eaton/Powell         Vauxhall
                     Car 191 Grp A:81 Class 5:14    44:49
159 Warring/Owen         MG
                     Car 196 Grp A:82 Class 7:29    45:09
160 Moore/Lucas          Rover
                     Car 192 Grp N:78 Class 1:15    45:24
161 Singh/Teoh Boon Sim  Mitsubishi
                     Car  39 Grp N:79 Class 4:39    46:04
162 Plant/Plant          Rover
                     Car 193 Grp N:80 Class 1:16    46:14
163 Mason/Mountford      Lada
                     Car 171 Grp A:83 Class 5:15  1:02:55


F3:- Kelvin Burt of England finished second in the Macau Grand Prix, 3.30 secs behind Sascha Maassen. Ralf Schumacher, brother of Formula One champion Michael, came fourth on his debut.




21.11.94 - THE RAC RALLY
Super Scot Colin McRae extended his lead as another incident-filled day came to a close with the rally heading back to the halt at Chester. The Subaru star was fastest on six of Monday's eight stages and left Grizedale East with a comfortable 76-second lead over Carlos Sainz. His Spanish teammate had been third for much of the day but regained the number two spot when Toyota's Juha Kankkunen went off on SS14. Kankkunen, who shared two fastest times with McRae and had two of his own, finished 1:45 off the pace.

Juha Kankkunen kept Colin McRae under pressure all day only to see his challenge fade as darkness fell. The four times world champion, seeking a fourth RAC Rally win, was just 40 seconds adrift going into the penultimate stage but went off losing time and bits of his car. Among the missing parts were his spotlights, leaving him to struggle through five miles of forest tracks on the final stage of the day. He lost over 30 seconds in his SS14 mishap and a further 23 seconds as he battled through a dark SS15.

Frenchman Didier Auriol saw his world title hopes evaporate on day two when he rolled his works Toyota on the first stage at Hamsterley. Auriol, already trailing by about 4.5 minutes after crashing on SS3, went off halfway through the stage and lost 10 minutes getting his slightly damaged car back in action. A blown turbo on SS13 cost him four minutes and he finished the day well out of contention at present. If Auriol fails to score points, Carlos Sainz would need a top three finish to claim the world crown.

Colin McRae was relieved to get through Kielder and even more delighted to clear the day's final stages at Grizedale, still leading. "There were so many people in there cheering me - it was fantastic," said the Subaru star. "I am not too worried about running first on the road tomorrow. It's all slippery." McRae's bid for victory in 1993 ended in snowy Kielder and he added: "This year was a lot easier. I now have a bit of a cushion over Carlos (Sainz) and Juha (Kankkunen) but I cannot slow up too much."

Carlos Sainz has the world title almost in his grasp but insists: "I cannot afford to think about the Championship just yet." His chances of winning a third crown have been boosted by Didier Auriol's problems with his Toyota. Sainz, second at the end of day two behind his Subaru teammate Colin McRae, said: "To reach Chester in at least this position on Wednesday is the priority." He added: "The Welsh stages are going to be very hard and the weather could change at any point."


   Driver            Car        H  M  S
 1 C McRae       GB  Subaru     2:19:48
 2 Sainz         Sp  Subaru     2:21:04
 3 Kankkunen     Fin Toyota     2:21:33
 4 Thiry         Bel Ford       2:24:34
 5 Wilson        GB  Ford       2:25:19
 6 Blomqvist     Swe Ford       2:25:53
 7 Vatanen       Fin Ford       2:29:46
 8 Fujimoto      Jap Toyota     2:34:56
 9 Evans         GB  Ford       2:35:48
10 Habig         SA  Ford       2:35:55
11 Makinen       Fin Nissan     2:36:04
12 De Mevius     Bel Opel       2:36:25
13 Llewellin     GB  Vauxhall   2:36:42
14 Milner        GB  Ford       2:38:05
Richard Burns made a disappointing exit from the 50th RAC Rally having battled back from earlier problems to take an impressive sixth place. The 23-year-old Reading driver went off on SS9, damaging the front leftside bodywork and wheel. He struggled on into SS10 but stopped after about four miles and retired. Burns, who struggled through the first day, had moved into sixth place after SS8, the day's opening stage. He was second fastest on the 16-mile test behind Juha Kankkunen.

Welshman Gwyndaf Evans had few complaints as he challenged hard for the Formula Two honours. Evans, in the Rapid Fit Ford Escort RS2000, took the lead in the 2-litre two-wheel-drive category, on SS10 despite a puncture. "The car is not wearing anything out. If I could get a clear road it would be even more fun," said Evans who keeps catching Jesus Puras (26) and Russell Brookes (24) on stages. Tommi Makinen is 16 seconds back in his Nissan while David Llewellin (Vauxhall) remains in contention.

Twice world champion Miki Biasion retired with engine problems after having set off for Hamsterley at the start of the day in sixth place. The Italian's day was fraught with problems which began when he hit a deer in the first stage. He damaged the gearbox oil cooler on his Ford and dropped off the leaderboard. Biasion battled back to eighth spot before fuel pressure problems at the start of SS15 proved too much. Malcolm Wilson offered help by relaying information on repairs radioed through by the back-up crew.

Nineteen of the original 178 crews failed to restart from Harrogate on day two. The survivors faced a hard day of eight stages over 113.82 competitive miles through Kielder, the Scottish border regions and the Lake District, finishing at Chester. Among the non-starters was Ford's Francois Delecour who was excluded after a mistake on the final stage. The Frenchman went off down a bank but rejoined the stage, for a time driving in the wrong direction. Disappointment for intrepid PR boss Tony Jardine (100 Escort) who went out before SS6 with gearbox failure.

Jeremy Easson (35 Escort) broke his driveshaft on SS8. "We yumped high and landed heavily in Hamsterley. We finished with rear wheel drive only." He then went too hard on SS9 and broke the turbo pipe as well. Alister McRae's challenge for Formula Two honours came to an end on SS9 when his Nissan stopped with electrical trouble. He had been two seconds adrift of Tommi Makinen. Welshman Gwyndaf Evans moved into the lead, in the F2 challenge, when Makinen lost time with a puncture on SS10. Evans also had a puncture but continued on the rim.

Ford driver Bruno Thiry drove most of the 16-mile Hamsterley stage with no clutch after breaking the clutch release arm. He lost about 50 seconds and slipped one place to fifth on the leaderboard. Vauxhall Nova driver Janie Eaton (car no 191) has been receiving lots of good wishes during today's stages - it is her 18th birthday. Yorkshireman Johnny Milner grabbed the Group N lead in his Ford on SS8 overhauling Japanese Subaru driver Masao Kamioka. He held his lead despite transmission problems which left him stuck in fourth gear.

Malcolm Wilson's hopes of improving on last year's third place were all but dashed when he hit a rock on SS9 bending the rear suspension beam. "We've a lot of work to do to catch up but it's early days yet." He completed SS10 with a wheel missing but lost little time. "I didn't hit anything, the wheel just came off," said the Ford driver. Matthew Clark (48 Escort) bent the front strut and wishbone on SS9 and struggled through SS10. Sierra driver Duncan Jaffray went off at speed on SS10 but continued.

Jerry Bailey (99 BMW) went off on SS10 and retired. He and co-driver Darren Loveys were unhurt. Russell Brookes has found Monday's stages hard going in his Mini. "I'm sliding all over the place," he declared while co-driver Neil Wilson added: "It's different - for a start, we're much lower down." Paul Dyas needed the help of marshals and spectators when he went into a firebreak on SS8. "We beached the car on its floorpan - just goes to prove a stout rope is a must. We've lost a lot of time but I'm certain we'll pull it back"

Co-driver Peter Croft was forced to shout at Ford Escort driver Steve Petch over the 28-mile Pundershaw stage, when their intercom failed. Peugeot driver Martin Rowe has a cracked windscreen and broken wipers but insists he is "still going well" after surviving a scare at the ford in Hamsterley forest which was deeper than he expected. Paul Kirtley (45 Sierra) struggled through SS10 with a misfire. Mick Jones (43 Mitsubishi) lost time after crawling out of SS10 with a bent suspension arm.

David Higgins was forced to retire when the cambelt broke on his Peugeot 106 Rallye partway through SS10. He and co-driver Mike Park watched their rivals speed by as they waited for recovery - and helped a few Skodas out of a ditch! Help was also needed by Gavin Cox who went off on SS9, landing on the co-driver's side wedged in a tree's branches with both doors jammed shut. Spectators had them back in action after a 21-minute delay. Co-driver Jon Geldart pushed Paul Kirtley's Sierra (45) two miles after driveshaft failure on SS11.

Former world champion Ari Vatanen struggled, losing three minutes on SS14 with turbo failure and more time on SS15. He finished in seventh, almost 10 minutes off the pace in his Ford. Rudi Lancaster's Peugeot 306 (car no 85) needed a new fuel tank when it was melted by the exhaust. Roger Davies was amazed at the size of the crowds. "We've never seen so many spectators in Grisedale," said the Vauxhall driver.


FULL LIST OF RESULTS - OVERALL POSITIONS AFTER SPECIAL STAGE 15
  1 C McRae/Ringer       Subaru
                 Car   4 Grp A: 1 Class 8: 1  2:19:48
  2 Sainz/Moya           Subaru
                 Car   2 Grp A: 2 Class 8: 2  2:21:04
  3 Kankkunen/Grist      Toyota
                 Car   1 Grp A: 3 Class 8: 3  2:21:33
  4 Thiry/Prevot         Ford
                 Car  11 Grp A: 4 Class 8: 4  2:24:34
  5 Wilson/Thomas        Ford
                 Car  10 Grp A: 5 Class 8: 5  2:25:19
  6 Blomqvist/Melander   Ford
                 Car  12 Grp A: 6 Class 8: 6  2:25:53
  7 Vatanen/Pons         Ford
                 Car   7 Grp A: 7 Class 8: 7  2:29:46
  8 Fujimoto/Hertz       Toyota
                 Car  14 Grp A: 8 Class 8: 8  2:34:56
  9 Evans/Davis          Ford
                 Car  27 Grp A: 9 Class 7: 1  2:35:48
 10 Habig/Judd           Ford
                 Car  38 Grp A:10 Class 8: 9  2:35:55
 11 Makinen/Harjanne     Nissan
                 Car  18 Grp A:11 Class 7: 2  2:36:04
 12 De Mevius/Lux        Opel
                 Car  17 Grp A:12 Class 7: 3  2:36:25
 13 Llewellin/Grindrod   Vauxhall
                 Car  15 Grp A:13 Class 7: 4  2:36:42
 14 Milner/Turvey        Ford
                 Car  32 Grp N: 1 Class 4: 1  2:38:05
 15 Kamioka/Stewart      Subaru
                 Car  28 Grp N: 2 Class 4: 2  2:38:59
 16 Puras/Romani         Ford
                 Car  26 Grp N: 3 Class 4: 3  2:42:08
 17 Auriol/Occelli       Toyota
                 Car   6 Grp A:14 Class 8:10  2:42:25
 18 Rowe/Wood            Peugeot
                 Car  40 Grp A:15 Class 7: 5  2:42:57
 19 Holderied/Thorner    Mitsubishi
                 Car  30 Grp N: 4 Class 4: 4  2:43:07
 20 Doctor/Badenberg     Mitsubishi
                 Car  34 Grp N: 5 Class 4: 5  2:43:35
 21 Easson/Cook          Ford
                 Car  35 Grp N: 6 Class 4: 6  2:43:59
 22 Sibera/Gross         Skoda
                 Car  23 Grp A:16 Class 5: 1  2:44:37
 23 Petch/Croft          Ford
                 Car  36 Grp N: 7 Class 4: 7  2:44:49
 24 Triner/Klima         Skoda
                 Car  22 Grp A:17 Class 5: 2  2:45:02
 25 Higgins/Simmons      Honda
                 Car  53 Grp N: 8 Class 2: 1  2:45:47
 26 Curran/Warner        Ford
                 Car  50 Grp A:18 Class 8:11  2:46:29
 27 Green/Capstick       Ford
                 Car  54 Grp N: 9 Class 4: 8  2:46:41
 28 Dyas/Derry           Ford
                 Car  46 Grp N:10 Class 4: 9  2:49:27
 29 Ellis Jones/Lewis    Ford
                 Car  37 Grp N:11 Class 4:10  2:49:44
 30 Hill/Boyles          Mitsubishi
                 Car  33 Grp A:19 Class 8:12  2:49:57
 31 Holfeld/Morgan       Ford
                 Car  51 Grp N:12 Class 4:11  2:50:22
 32 Stephenson/Whittaker Ford
                 Car  49 Grp A:20 Class 8:13  2:52:25
 33 Smith/Carstairs      Ford
                 Car  62 Grp N:13 Class 4:12  2:52:43
 34 Worswick/Molyneux    Ford
                 Car  44 Grp A:21 Class 8:14  2:52:54
 34 Jaffray/McGowan      Ford
                 Car  65 Grp A:21 Class 8:14  2:52:54
 36 Porter/Foy           Vauxhall
                 Car  87 Grp A:23 Class 6: 1  2:53:13
 37 Davies/Hobbs         Vauxhall
                 Car  88 Grp N:14 Class 3: 1  2:53:28
 38 Stoodley/Collins     Peugeot
                 Car  66 Grp A:24 Class 7: 6  2:53:54
 39 Barry/Barry          Mitsubishi
                 Car  56 Grp N:15 Class 4:13  2:54:08
 40 Green/Thomas         Vauxhall
                 Car  92 Grp A:25 Class 6: 2  2:54:12
 41 Somerville/Perrin    Ford
                 Car  57 Grp A:26 Class 8:16  2:54:23
 42 Singh/Teoh Boon Sim  Mitsubishi
                 Car  39 Grp N:16 Class 4:14  2:54:51
 43 Coughtrie/Cooledge   Subaru
                 Car 119 Grp N:17 Class 4:15  2:55:16
 44 Sisson/Savage        Ford
                 Car  82 Grp N:18 Class 4:16  2:55:17
 45 Reynolds/Joll        Honda
                 Car  94 Grp N:19 Class 2: 2  2:56:49
 46 Willoughby/Steward   Ford
                 Car 143 Grp A:27 Class 8:17  2:57:15
 47 Girardin/Amacher     Ford
                 Car  60 Grp N:20 Class 4:17  2:57:39
 48 Leckie/Lewis         Ford
                 Car 115 Grp N:21 Class 4:18  2:57:49
 49 Menzies/Thake        Ford
                 Car  71 Grp N:22 Class 4:19  2:58:14
 50 Lancaster/Spooner    Peugeot
                 Car  85 Grp A:28 Class 7: 7  2:58:39
 51 Joel/Capstick        Ford
                 Car  59 Grp N:23 Class 4:20  2:58:50
 52 Hunt/McGrogan        Ford
                 Car 102 Grp N:24 Class 4:21  2:59:01
 53 Evans/Butcher        Peugeot
                 Car  84 Grp A:29 Class 7: 8  2:59:11
 54 Richardson/Hill      Peugeot
                 Car  93 Grp A:30 Class 7: 9  2:59:32
 55 Barge/Stubbs         Ford
                 Car 120 Grp N:25 Class 4:22  3:00:32
 56 Ceen/Bull            Ford
                 Car  72 Grp N:26 Class 4:23  3:00:57
 57 Barbara/Desseaux     Ford
                 Car  63 Grp N:27 Class 4:24  3:03:15
 57 Bown/Bown            Vauxhall
                 Car 108 Grp A:31 Class 7:10  3:03:15
 59 French/Baines        Volkswagen
                 Car  95 Grp A:32 Class 7:11  3:03:20
 60 Healer/Wynn          Ford
                 Car 141 Grp N:28 Class 4:25  3:03:30
 61 Dalgarno/Taylor      Ford
                 Car 117 Grp N:29 Class 4:26  3:03:40
 62 Clarke/Preston       Peugeot
                 Car  97 Grp A:33 Class 7:12  3:04:04
 63 Jaques/Jaques        Vauxhall
                 Car 118 Grp N:30 Class 3: 2  3:05:33
 64 Kitching/Tatham      Vauxhall
                 Car 173 Grp A:34 Class 6: 3  3:05:34
 65 Presswell/Cottam     Vauxhall
                 Car 133 Grp A:35 Class 7:13  3:05:37
 66 Archer/Cammack       Vauxhall
                 Car 107 Grp N:31 Class 3: 3  3:05:42
 66 Menestrier/Gros      Peugeot
                 Car 131 Grp A:36 Class 6: 4  3:05:42
 68 Russell/Ashfield     Ford
                 Car  98 Grp N:32 Class 4:27  3:06:00
 69 Williams/Sheppard    Vauxhall
                 Car 109 Grp N:33 Class 2: 3  3:06:44
 70 Chadwick/Entwistle   Opel
                 Car 163 Grp A:37 Class 5: 3  3:07:19
 71 O'Neill/Curry        Honda
                 Car 150 Grp N:34 Class 2: 4  3:07:53
 72 Henry/Wise           Ford
                 Car  79 Grp N:35 Class 4:28  3:08:27
 73 Knott/Connor         Peugeot
                 Car 172 Grp A:38 Class 7:14  3:08:28
 74 Simmonite/Simmonite  Peugeot
                 Car 126 Grp A:39 Class 7:15  3:08:33
 75 Worts/Phillipson     Vauxhall
                 Car 149 Grp A:40 Class 7:16  3:08:38
 76 Bengry/Forsbrook     Peugeot
                 Car 130 Grp A:41 Class 5: 4  3:09:25
 76 Wedgbury/Regan       Skoda
                 Car 137 Grp N:36 Class 1: 1  3:09:25
 78 Kent/Whiten          Peugeot
                 Car 161 Grp N:37 Class 1: 2  3:09:56
 79 Simpson/Booth        Peugeot
                 Car 162 Grp N:38 Class 3: 4  3:09:58
 80 Wood/Wood            Saab
                 Car 124 Grp A:42 Class 8:18  3:10:59
 81 Rees/Heymer          Ford
                 Car  74 Grp A:43 Class 8:19  3:11:09
 82 Backwall/Rydham      Citroen
                 Car 167 Grp N:39 Class 1: 3  3:11:12
 83 Brown/Brooks         Vauxhall
                 Car 114 Grp A:44 Class 6: 5  3:11:16
 83 Wilson/Harrison      Vauxhall
                 Car 165 Grp A:44 Class 7:17  3:11:16
 85 Gunningham/Rabbett   Peugeot
                 Car 147 Grp A:46 Class 7:18  3:11:17
 86 Labaune/Sassoulas    Peugeot
                 Car 132 Grp A:47 Class 6: 6  3:11:19
 87 Johnson/Burkill      Skoda
                 Car 121 Grp A:48 Class 5: 5  3:12:15
 88 Wills/Brown          Rover
                 Car 148 Grp N:40 Class 3: 5  3:12:37
 89 Andrew/Heather       Peugeot
                 Car 197 Grp N:41 Class 1: 4  3:12:39
 90 Brookes/Wilson       Rover
                 Car  24 Grp A:49 Class 5: 6  3:13:00
 91 Evans/Hawes          Vauxhall
                 Car 157 Grp N:42 Class 2: 5  3:14:21
 92 Reininger/Csosz      Renault
                 Car  81 Grp N:43 Class 3: 6  3:14:46
 93 Jonquieres/Phelippea Peugeot
                 Car 138 Grp N:44 Class 2: 6  3:15:25
 94 Gaillard/Epalle      Renault
                 Car 135 Grp N:45 Class 3: 7  3:16:31
 95 Kedward/Cresswell    Ford
                 Car 139 Grp N:46 Class 4:29  3:17:30
 96 Timlin/Kenyon        Vauxhall
                 Car 160 Grp A:50 Class 5: 7  3:17:36
 97 Bowman/Chew          Ford
                 Car 154 Grp A:51 Class 8:20  3:17:39
 98 Wheatley/Orr         Skoda
                 Car 180 Grp N:47 Class 1: 5  3:17:46
 99 Tilly/Moore          Vauxhall
                 Car 152 Grp N:48 Class 2: 7  3:18:09
100 Raven/Terry          Peugeot
                 Car 174 Grp N:49 Class 1: 6  3:18:18
101 Hill/Hilton          Ford
                 Car  80 Grp N:50 Class 4:30  3:18:22
102 Bowers/Stokoe        Peugeot
                 Car 125 Grp A:52 Class 7:19  3:18:34
103 Cox/Eccleston        Vauxhall
                 Car  69 Grp N:51 Class 4:31  3:19:17
104 Heath/Hely           Ford
                 Car 156 Grp N:52 Class 4:32  3:19:32
105 Stevens/Rodgers      Skoda
                 Car 181 Grp N:53 Class 1: 7  3:21:24
106 Hopcraft/Pomfret     Peugeot
                 Car 136 Grp A:53 Class 7:20  3:21:39
107 Kollevold/Lie        Peugeot
                 Car 145 Grp N:54 Class 3: 8  3:21:49
108 Gobert/Cloteau       Peugeot
                 Car 168 Grp N:55 Class 3: 9  3:23:24
109 Winstanley/Winstanle Nissan
                 Car 190 Grp N:56 Class 3:10  3:23:52
110 Wynne/Bevan          Suzuki
                 Car 185 Grp N:57 Class 1: 8  3:24:15
111 Shaw/Prout           Lada
                 Car 170 Grp A:54 Class 5: 8  3:24:16
112 Tyson/Crabtree       Peugeot
                 Car 128 Grp N:58 Class 2: 8  3:25:03
113 Johnson/Flynn        Rover
                 Car 175 Grp N:59 Class 1: 9  3:28:03
114 Bennett/Langley      Lancia
                 Car 155 Grp A:55 Class 8:21  3:28:21
115 Grimes/Deeley        Peugeot
                 Car 195 Grp A:56 Class 7:21  3:29:06
116 Mason/Burns          Vauxhall
                 Car 194 Grp N:60 Class 2: 9  3:29:34
117 Senior/Loveluck      Vauxhall
                 Car 187 Grp N:61 Class 2:10  3:31:04
118 Mallory/Mee          Lada
                 Car 151 Grp A:57 Class 5: 9  3:33:18
119 Marlow/Marlow        Ford
                 Car 123 Grp A:58 Class 8:22  3:35:33
120 Fletcher/Chadwick    Peugeot
                 Car 159 Grp N:62 Class 1:10  3:37:23
121 Boden/Parkhurst      Vauxhall
                 Car 189 Grp N:63 Class 1:11  3:37:25
122 Maundrell/Pain       Peugeot
                 Car 177 Grp A:59 Class 7:22  3:40:14
123 Plant/Plant          Rover
                 Car 193 Grp N:64 Class 1:12  3:42:02
124 Moore/Lucas          Rover
                 Car 192 Grp N:65 Class 1:13  3:42:28
125 Eaton/Powell         Vauxhall
                 Car 191 Grp A:60 Class 5:10  3:44:19
126 Warring/Owen         MG
                 Car 196 Grp A:61 Class 7:23  3:50:14
127 Skelton/Walker       Skoda
                 Car 182 Grp N:66 Class 1:14  3:51:38
128 Glenister/Nixon      Lada
                 Car 188 Grp A:62 Class 5:11  3:53:02
129 Zamparutti/Ciani     Peugeot
                 Car 110 Grp N:67 Class 3:11  4:02:51
130 Kelly/Davies         Vauxhall
                 Car 129 Grp A:63 Class 7:24  4:10:16
131 Smith/Davies         MG
                 Car 176 Grp N:68 Class 3:12  4:15:32
132 Godwin/Wyer          Rover
                 Car 184 Grp A:64 Class 5:12  4:16:10
133 Smith/Middleton      Suzuki
                 Car 166 Grp N:69




22.11.94
THE RAC RALLY

Gritty Scot Colin McRae produced a world class show around Wales as he comfortably retained his lead on day three of the 50th RAC Rally. McRae, who has led since the third stage on the opening day, increased the gap over his Subaru teammate Carlos Sainz to 1 min 45 secs with Toyota's Juha Kankkunen still third. The three drivers shared the day's fastest times, with McRae best on three stages and the others on two. Kankkunen overcame a few problems with his car and finished the day 2 min 53 secs off the pace.

Colin McRae gave rally fans in Wales a real treat as he swept through the forest in the lead but the euphoria could be shortlived. McRae is looking to become the first Briton to win the event since Roger Clark in 1976 and only the second Scot since 1945. His progress could be halted by team orders with Subaru's Carlos Sainz needing to beat Didier Auriol by 12 points to win the world title. Auriol is back in ninth and, if he moves into seventh or above, Sainz will need to win to take the crown.

Colin McRae started the day saying he was missing his sleep but there was no sign of tiredness as he tore around the Welsh forest stages. "This is my first time in this part of Wales for a long time," admitted the Scot. "The big problem was the mud, soft on top and hard below."

"I did not want to take too many risks. My aim was to get to the end and it will be the same tomorrow. The spectators really helped me today with their support. They have been wonderful," added the 555 Subaru driver.

Twice world champion Carlos Sainz admitted at the end of day three that he had never been in such a tense World Championship event. He said world title challenger Didier Auriol was on his mind. "Of course I am worried about him but there is nothing I can do about him so I must just keep going flat-out." He was not certain whether team orders would be given on Wednesday. "The ball is in Toyota's court but first we have to arrive at that situation. There is still another day to go," said the Spaniard.

Prodrive boss David Richards heaped praise on his Subaru driver Colin McRae but admitted he might have to impose team orders on the final day. McRae may have to let Carlos Sainz through if he has a chance to take the world title from Didier Auriol. "Colin has driven an impeccable rally but we are in a complicated situation. We have been working for the world title all season... It's likely Auriol will be eighth, barring retirements in front of him but Toyota could withdraw Kankkunen and it would be out of our hands."

Finn Juha Kankkunen was reported to be in trouble as he left SS21, the second visit to the Hafren stage, with his throttle jammed open. Kankkunen, third in his Toyota, appeared to have a problem with the engine management system and the service crew were trying to put it right before the day's final stage. They appeared to have succeeded as Kankkunen was then fastest on SS22. The four times world champion seeks a fourth RAC Rally victory but his task is tough with Subaru's Colin McRae and Carlos Sainz ahead of him.

   Driver            Car        H  M  S
 1 C McRae       GB  Subaru     4:12:21
 2 Sainz         Sp  Subaru     4:14:06
 3 Kankkunen     Fin Toyota     4:15:14
 4 Thiry         Bel Ford       4:20:00
 5 Blomqvist     Swe Ford       4:23:21
 6 Wilson        GB  Ford       4:23:38
 7 Vatanen       Fin Ford       4:27:24
 8 Makinen       Fin Nissan     4:40:02
 9 Auriol        Fr  Toyota     4:40:10
10 Evans         GB  Ford       4:41:10
11 De Mevius     Bel Opel       4:41:43
12 Habig         SA  Ford       4:42:00
13 Llewellin     GB  Vauxhall   4:42:24
14 Milner        GB  Ford       4:44:28
Cumbrian Malcolm Wilson is happy to leave the attention to Colin McRae despite being top Briton in 1993. Wilson, who finished a superb third in his Ford last year, overcame an engine problem only to lose three minutes in a ditch on SS21 Hafren 2. His mishaps cost the Michelin Pilot Team Ford driver a place and he was sixth behind teammates Bruno Thiry and Stig Blomqvist after SS22. An impressive final stage saw him third fastest, matching the time of Juha Kankkunen. He moved to within 17s of fifth-placed Blomqvist.

A spectator was taken to hospital by air ambulance after being struck by one of the leading cars on SS18. The 27-year-old man, thought to have suffered a broken leg, was in collision with the no 38 Ford driven by South African Jan Habig. "It's very upsetting," said Douglas Judd, Habig's co-driver. "We were off the road a bit but not by much." The stage was abandoned and all cars yet to compete were given the same time as the slowest driver. All crews were sent straight toSS19 causing massive traffic jams.

Finn Tommi Makinen topped the F2 times on six of Tuesday's seven stages as he took control in the two-litre two-wheel drive category. Gwyndaf Evans was forced to battle hard to stay in touch. "I have to be careful and ignore Tommi's times - he must be mental," he commented. Evans needed a new gearbox in his Rapid Fit Ford Escort after SS18 and faced an anxious wait as his crew struggled through heavy traffic to reach him. He trailed Makinen by 68s after SS22, with Gregoire De Mevius third.

Slippery stages faced the 131 crews who set off from Chester on day three of the four-day event. They tackled seven stages, over a total of 112.21 miles, in the Welsh forests before returning to the overnight halt at Chester. David Llewellin found things tough on the first of his home stages."It was very, very tricky in Dyfnant," said the Vauxhall Astra driver. "Very slippery in there, much worse than I ever thought it would be." Llewellin overcame clutch problems to remain fourth in the F2 category with Wednesday's seven stages to go.

Belgian Gregoire De Mevius survived a scare on SS16 as he continued to challenge for the F2 lead. "The Astra skidded off under braking on a downhill left-hander. I was scared it would not reverse out but we only lost 8 seconds." F2 overnight leader Gwyndaf Evans had trouble with his rear brakes on SS16, Dyfnant, but insisted it was "nothing I could not cope with". Former world champion Ari Vatanen, seventh overnight in his Ford, said Dyfnant was "quick and very frightening - paralysing!"

Ford works driver Bruno Thiry, fifth in the world standings, has been relishing the slippery stages. "This rally is the greatest fun we have ever had," said the Belgian. All-Malaysian crew Singh Karamjit and Ron Teoh Boon Sim, competing in the only Proton in the rally, were lying 30th overall after SS22 after battling back from a mishap on SS2 which had left them 174th and last. Stig Blomqvist, the 1984 world champion, said SS16 was "foggy and dark and, at my age, difficult to see". He ran Pirelli mousse tyres on Tuesday for the first time.

A nasty moment for Roger Simpson (162 Peugeot 205) when all the warning lights came on during SS16. Graeme Presswell (133 Vauxhall) was still hung over after two tough days as he started the stage. "I woke up after two nasty corners..." A knocking noise from the engine worried Paul Richardson (93 Peugeot 205) but he managed to reach SS22. Tom Coughtrie (119 Subaru) had worries about his gearbox but also completed the day's seven stages. Steve Hunt (102 Sierra) had a dodgy fuel light. "It's on all the time."

Phyllis Fletcher (159 Peugeot 205) went off on SS16 but suffered only minor damage to her car. A sticky situation for Innes and Alyson Marlow (123 Sierra) when a chocolate bar became dislodged, slid about on the floor of the car - and then melted by the footpedals. Co-driver Monica Ciani found herself changing gear with a hand cable when the accelerator broke on Mauro Zamparutti's Peugeot 309. Tina Powell, co-driving for Janie Eaton (191 Vauxhall Nova) has lost her voice making navigating hard.

A new experience for Christopher Willoughby (143 Sierra) who has a new set of tyres. "I just can't believe the grip. I'm being ever so careful on the road sections so I don't wear them out too quickly." Theo Bengry (130 Peugeot 106) is being kept going by team boss Bill Bengry, the 75-year-old former British rally champion, and one 16-year-old mechanic who is having a hard time keeping up with Bill! Spectators to the rescue when Chris Bowman (154 Ford Sapphire) went off in Dyfnant at a right-hander. He was back in action in three minutes.

Russell Brookes seems to be questioning his decision to compete again in a Mini. "You realise how small they are when you pull alongside an Escort and all you can see is the lettering on the side- walls...and the rocks look bigger!" David Llewellin was sorry to see SS18 abandoned. "It's the best stage of the rally." Officials from SS21 reported vast numbers of spectators with cars along the A44 six miles from the nearest access point to Hafren.

Group N leader Johnny Milner, an impressive 14th overall in his showroom-standard Ford Escort Cosworth, said he was backing off from now on. "I'm happy enough with the advantage I have so we will now be avoiding any risks." South African Jan Habig failed to meet his service team before the long Hafren stage and had to complete it in fast fading light with only one headlight.


FULL LIST OF RESULTS - OVERALL POSITIONS AFTER SPECIAL STAGE 22
  1 C McRae/Ringer       Subaru
                Car   4 Grp A: 1 Class 8: 1  4:12:21
  2 Sainz/Moya           Subaru
                Car   2 Grp A: 2 Class 8: 2  4:14:06
  3 Kankkunen/Grist      Toyota
                Car   1 Grp A: 3 Class 8: 3  4:15:14
  4 Thiry/Prevot         Ford
                Car  11 Grp A: 4 Class 8: 4  4:20:00
  5 Blomqvist/Melander   Ford
                Car  12 Grp A: 5 Class 8: 5  4:23:21
  6 Wilson/Thomas        Ford
                Car  10 Grp A: 6 Class 8: 6  4:23:38
  7 Vatanen/Pons         Ford
                Car   7 Grp A: 7 Class 8: 7  4:27:24
  8 Makinen/Harjanne     Nissan
                Car  18 Grp A: 8 Class 7: 1  4:40:02
  9 Auriol/Occelli       Toyota
                Car   6 Grp A: 9 Class 8: 8  4:40:10
 10 Evans/Davis          Ford
                Car  27 Grp A:10 Class 7: 2  4:41:10
 11 De Mevius/Lux        Opel
                Car  17 Grp A:11 Class 7: 3  4:41:43
 12 Habig/Judd           Ford
                Car  38 Grp A:12 Class 8: 9  4:42:00
 13 Llewellin/Grindrod   Vauxhall
                Car  15 Grp A:13 Class 7: 4  4:42:24
 14 Milner/Turvey        Ford
                Car  32 Grp N: 1 Class 4: 1  4:44:28
 15 Kamioka/Stewart      Subaru
                Car  28 Grp N: 2 Class 4: 2  4:45:55
 16 Puras/Romani         Ford
                Car  26 Grp N: 3 Class 4: 3  4:50:37
 17 Rowe/Wood            Peugeot
                Car  40 Grp A:14 Class 7: 5  4:50:47
 18 Holderied/Thorner    Mitsubishi
                Car  30 Grp N: 4 Class 4: 4  4:51:27
 19 Easson/Cook          Ford
                Car  35 Grp N: 5 Class 4: 5  4:52:28
 20 Doctor/Badenberg     Mitsubishi
                Car  34 Grp N: 6 Class 4: 6  4:54:02
 21 Sibera/Gross         Skoda
                Car  23 Grp A:15 Class 5: 1  4:54:07
 22 Triner/Klima         Skoda
                Car  22 Grp A:16 Class 5: 2  4:54:25
 23 Petch/Croft          Ford
                Car  36 Grp N: 7 Class 4: 7  4:55:26
 24 Curran/Warner        Ford
                Car  50 Grp A:17 Class 8:10  4:55:27
 25 Dyas/Derry           Ford
                Car  46 Grp N: 8 Class 4: 8  4:58:16
 26 Hill/Boyles          Mitsubishi
                Car  33 Grp A:18 Class 8:11  4:59:00
 27 Ellis Jones/Lewis    Ford
                Car  37 Grp N: 9 Class 4: 9  4:59:42
 28 Davies/Hobbs         Vauxhall
                Car  88 Grp N:10 Class 3: 1  5:04:52
 29 Holfeld/Morgan       Ford
                Car  51 Grp N:11 Class 4:10  5:05:25
 30 Singh/Teoh Boon Sim  Mitsubishi
                Car  39 Grp N:12 Class 4:11  5:05:36
 31 Jaffray/McGowan      Ford
                Car  65 Grp A:19 Class 8:12  5:06:11
 32 Smith/Carstairs      Ford
                Car  62 Grp N:13 Class 4:12  5:06:33
 33 Porter/Foy           Vauxhall
                Car  87 Grp A:20 Class 6: 1  5:07:30
 34 Barry/Barry          Mitsubishi
                Car  56 Grp N:14 Class 4:13  5:09:22
 35 Somerville/Perrin    Ford
                Car  57 Grp A:21 Class 8:13  5:09:41
 36 Worswick/Molyneux    Ford
                Car  44 Grp A:22 Class 8:14  5:09:56
 37 Green/Thomas         Vauxhall
                Car  92 Grp A:23 Class 6: 2  5:10:46
 38 Sisson/Savage        Ford
                Car  82 Grp N:15 Class 4:14  5:11:56
 39 Stoodley/Collins     Peugeot
                Car  66 Grp A:24 Class 7: 6  5:12:38
 40 Joel/Capstick        Ford
                Car  59 Grp N:16 Class 4:15  5:12:51
 41 Reynolds/Joll        Honda
                Car  94 Grp N:17 Class 2: 1  5:14:34
 42 Willoughby/Steward   Ford
                Car 143 Grp A:25 Class 8:15  5:15:10
 43 Evans/Butcher        Peugeot
                Car  84 Grp A:26 Class 7: 7  5:17:04
 44 Richardson/Hill      Peugeot
                Car  93 Grp A:27 Class 7: 8  5:17:07
 45 Leckie/Lewis         Ford
                Car 115 Grp N:18 Class 4:16  5:18:46
 46 Girardin/Amacher     Ford
                Car  60 Grp N:19 Class 4:17  5:19:55
 47 Green/Capstick       Ford
                Car  54 Grp N:20 Class 4:18  5:21:28
 48 Barge/Stubbs         Ford
                Car 120 Grp N:21 Class 4:19  5:22:30
 49 Dalgarno/Taylor      Ford
                Car 117 Grp N:22 Class 4:20  5:23:03
 50 French/Baines        Volkswagen
                Car  95 Grp A:28 Class 7: 9  5:23:33
 51 Bown/Bown            Vauxhall
                Car 108 Grp A:29 Class 7:10  5:25:21
 52 Barbara/Desseaux     Ford
                Car  63 Grp N:23 Class 4:21  5:25:53
 53 Clarke/Preston       Peugeot
                Car  97 Grp A:30 Class 7:11  5:26:43
 54 Russell/Ashfield     Ford
                Car  98 Grp N:24 Class 4:22  5:27:13
 55 Henry/Wise           Ford
                Car  79 Grp N:25 Class 4:23  5:28:23
 56 Jaques/Jaques        Vauxhall
                Car 118 Grp N:26 Class 3: 2  5:28:44
 57 Presswell/Cottam     Vauxhall
                Car 133 Grp A:31 Class 7:12  5:29:35
 58 Chadwick/Entwistle   Opel
                Car 163 Grp A:32 Class 5: 3  5:30:03
 59 Bengry/Forsbrook     Peugeot
                Car 130 Grp A:33 Class 5: 4  5:30:35
 60 Simmonite/Simmonite  Peugeot
                Car 126 Grp A:34 Class 7:13  5:30:49
 61 Worts/Phillipson     Vauxhall
                Car 149 Grp A:35 Class 7:14  5:31:08
 62 Johnson/Burkill      Skoda
                Car 121 Grp A:36 Class 5: 5  5:31:23
 63 Wedgbury/Regan       Skoda
                Car 137 Grp N:27 Class 1: 1  5:32:25
 64 Kent/Whiten          Peugeot
                Car 161 Grp N:28 Class 1: 2  5:33:28
 65 Cox/Eccleston        Vauxhall
                Car  69 Grp N:29 Class 4:24  5:35:01
 66 Coughtrie/Cooledge   Subaru
                Car 119 Grp N:30 Class 4:25  5:35:53
 67 Rees/Heymer          Ford
                Car  74 Grp A:37 Class 8:16  5:37:15
 68 Wilson/Harrison      Vauxhall
                Car 165 Grp A:38 Class 7:15  5:38:01
 69 Ceen/Bull            Ford
                Car  72 Grp N:31 Class 4:26  5:40:18
 70 Labaune/Sassoulas    Peugeot
                Car 132 Grp A:39 Class 6: 3  5:41:39
 71 Andrew/Heather       Peugeot
                Car 197 Grp N:32 Class 1: 3  5:42:07
 72 Reininger/Csosz      Renault
                Car  81 Grp N:33 Class 3: 3  5:45:02
 73 Wheatley/Orr         Skoda
                Car 180 Grp N:34 Class 1: 4  5:46:19
 74 Kedward/Cresswell    Ford
                Car 139 Grp N:35 Class 4:27  5:46:39
 75 Brookes/Wilson       Rover
                Car  24 Grp A:40 Class 5: 6  5:46:43
 76 Kollevold/Lie        Peugeot
                Car 145 Grp N:36 Class 3: 4  5:47:31
 77 Jonquieres/Phelippea Peugeot
                Car 138 Grp N:37 Class 2: 2  5:49:09
 78 Heath/Hely           Ford
                Car 156 Grp N:38 Class 4:28  5:49:16
 79 Gaillard/Epalle      Renault
                Car 135 Grp N:39 Class 3: 5  5:49:52
 80 Knott/Connor         Peugeot
                Car 172 Grp A:41 Class 7:16  5:50:45
 81 Bowman/Chew          Ford
                Car 154 Grp A:42 Class 8:17  5:51:15
 82 Gunningham/Rabbett   Peugeot
                Car 147 Grp A:43 Class 7:17  5:51:16
 83 Evans/Hawes          Vauxhall
                Car 157 Grp N:40 Class 2: 3  5:51:32
 84 Hopcraft/Pomfret     Peugeot
                Car 136 Grp A:44 Class 7:18  5:52:08
 85 Timlin/Kenyon        Vauxhall
                Car 160 Grp A:45 Class 5: 7  5:53:34
 86 Raven/Terry          Peugeot
                Car 174 Grp N:41 Class 1: 5  5:54:47
 87 Wills/Brown          Rover
                Car 148 Grp N:42 Class 3: 6  5:55:40
 88 Tyson/Crabtree       Peugeot
                Car 128 Grp N:43 Class 2: 4  5:56:54
 89 Wynne/Bevan          Suzuki
                Car 185 Grp N:44 Class 1: 6  5:57:23
 90 Stevens/Rodgers      Skoda
                Car 181 Grp N:45 Class 1: 7  5:59:12
 91 Bennett/Langley      Lancia
                Car 155 Grp A:46 Class 8:18  6:00:27
 92 Winstanley/Winstanle Nissan
                Car 190 Grp N:46 Class 3: 7  6:01:05
 93 Shaw/Prout           Lada
                Car 170 Grp A:47 Class 5: 8  6:04:10
 94 Marlow/Marlow        Ford
                Car 123 Grp A:48 Class 8:19  6:06:17
 95 Gobert/Cloteau       Peugeot
                Car 168 Grp N:47 Class 3: 8  6:06:23
 96 Grimes/Deeley        Peugeot
                Car 195 Grp A:49 Class 7:19  6:11:15
 97 Kitching/Tatham      Vauxhall
                Car 173 Grp A:50 Class 6: 4  6:16:54
 98 Fletcher/Chadwick    Peugeot
                Car 159 Grp N:48 Class 1: 8  6:22:35
 99 Senior/Loveluck      Vauxhall
                Car 187 Grp N:49 Class 2: 5  6:24:28
100 Boden/Parkhurst      Vauxhall
                Car 189 Grp N:50 Class 1: 9  6:24:58
101 Maundrell/Pain       Peugeot
                Car 177 Grp A:51 Class 7:20  6:28:50
102 Mallory/Mee          Lada
                Car 151 Grp A:52 Class 5: 9  6:30:34
103 Moore/Lucas          Rover
                Car 192 Grp N:51 Class 1:10  6:31:36
104 Skelton/Walker       Skoda
                Car 182 Grp N:52 Class 1:11  6:32:48
105 Archer/Cammack       Vauxhall
                Car 107 Grp N:53 Class 3: 9  6:33:15
106 Plant/Plant          Rover
                Car 193 Grp N:54 Class 1:12  6:34:34
107 Warring/Owen         MG
                Car 196 Grp A:53 Class 7:21  6:39:17
108 Smith/Davies         MG
                Car 176 Grp N:55 Class 3:10  6:51:35
109 Zamparutti/Ciani     Peugeot
                Car 110 Grp N:56 Class 3:11  6:52:52
110 Godwin/Wyer          Rover
                Car 184 Grp A:54 Class 5:10  6:59:47



F1:-

Prospective Race Calendar for 1995
March 12      Argentina *
March 26      Brazil *
April 16      Pacific
April 30      San Marino *
May   14      Spain
May   28      Monaco
June  11      Canada
July   2      France
July  16      Britain
July  30      Germany
Aug   13      Hungary Reserve
Aug   27      Belgium
Sept  10      Italy *
Sept  24      Portugal
Oct    8      Europe
Oct   29      Japan
Nov   12      Australia
* - subject to circuit approval
The San Marino and Italian Grands Prix are still on the calendar for 1995 but the Imola and Monza circuits need approval. Their status is uncertain pending investigations by the authorities into the deaths of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger last spring. The Brazil and Argentine circuits are also subject to approval by the World Council.




23.11.94
THE RAC RALLY

Scotland's Colin McRae has won the 50th RAC Rally, the first Briton to win the event for 18 years. McRae swept around the final day of stages around mid and north Wales, continuing his relentless pace as he at last claimed the victory to which he had come so close before. It was just reward for a brilliant performance from the 26-year-old Subaru works driver who had led the event over 27 of the 29 stages. McRae won by over 3.5 minutes from Toyota's Juha Kankkunen, one of the best winning margins of the year.

Spaniard Carlos Sainz was left stranded on the second stage of the final day, with his hopes of the world title dashed. Sainz, second overnight in his Subaru, went off on the slippery Dyfi Main stage and later retired. His demise left teammate Colin McRae well clear in the lead, with Toyota's Juha Kankkunen now second but more than three minutes behind. McRae continued to drive impeccably and claimed victory with a flourish setting the fastest time on SS29.

Huge crowds gathered in Chester several hours before the rally was due to return, ready to greet their hero of the four days Colin McRae. The flying Scot, who led from SS3, barely put a wheel out of place as he tore around the slippery stages in England, Scotland and Wales. He led by 11 seconds from teammate Carlos Sainz after day one, by 76s on day two and by 1.25 mins overnight He admitted to "having butterflies" over the final day's stages as he claimed his second Championship win of the year, his third overall.

Scot Colin McRae was greeted by a crowd of more than 8,000 for the victory ceremony at Chester. McRae thanked the supporters who had cheered him through the 29 stages but the Subaru star, who had 16 stage wins only three of them shared, said victory had been easy. "We had no problems. At Kielder we pulled out a small lead and no-one seemed to be challenging us. The Subaru team worked wonders. Everyone will be looking at us as serious contenders for the World Championship next year," he said.

Spaniard Carlos Sainz and his world title rival Frenchman Didier Auriol both ran into trouble on SS24. Sainz saw his bid for world glory come to a sudden halt when he went off on a tightening right-hander into some small trees. Spectators recovered the car but he retired. Auriol, back in eighth place and needing to finish fourth to be certain of the world crown, also went off in his Toyota but with a lot less damage to his prospects. He was seventh at the end of SS24, now certain of the world title.

Frenchman Didier Auriol arrived at service after SS24 totally dejected - and left elated. Auriol, who thought his world title bid had just suffered another setback with an off on the stage, heard that his Championship rival Carlos Sainz was in deeper trouble. "It's incredible. I don't realise yet what has happened," he said. Toyota teammate Juha Kankkunen saw Sainz in a ditch. "A lot of people were trying to get him back on but, with the current situation, I'm not sure how hard they were trying!"

Didier Auriol became the first Frenchman to win the world rally title, with rival Carlos Sainz crashing out on the final day. Among the first to congratulate him was his Toyota teammate Juha Kankkunen who yelled from his car: "You may be a lousy driver but at least you are world champion!" Auriol later thanked Kankkunen for his help. "He kept the pressure on Sainz and that may be why we have won the title today," he declared. The 36-year-old driver won three World Championship rounds this year.


LEADERBOARD AFTER SPECIAL STAGE 29

   Driver            Car        H  M  S
 1 C McRae       GB  Subaru     5:17:25
 2 Kankkunen     Fin Toyota     5:20:58
 3 Thiry         Bel Ford       5:27:37
 4 Blomqvist     Swe Ford       5:30:13
 5 Vatanen       Fin Ford       5:34:25
 6 Auriol        Fr  Toyota     5:47:57
 7 Evans         GB  Ford       5:52:24
 8 Habig         SA  Ford       5:53:16
 9 Makinen       Fin Nissan     5:53:25
10 De Mevius     Bel Opel       5:53:54
11 Llewellin     GB  Vauxhall   5:54:31
12 Milner        GB  Ford       5:57:37
13 Kamioka       Jap Subaru     6:00:38
14 Rowe          GB  Peugeot    6:04:51
Welshman Gwyndaf Evans won a fierce battle for Formula Two honours after his main rival Tommi Makinen succumbed to the horrors of SS24. The stage had already snared world title challengers Carlos Sainz and Didier Auriol, who both went off. The Finn rolled his Nissan on the first corner, losing 2 mins 40 secs and, despite a late charge which saw him move from third to second, he could not catch the flying Ford. Evans finished seventh overall, 61s clear of Makinen, with Opel driver Gregoire De Mevius in third place.

Finn Tommi Makinen handed the F2 lead to Gwyndaf Evans when he rolled his Nissan almost in front of the Welshman's house! Makinen's mishap happened on the second corner of SS24 in a fifth gear bend. The car dropped into a ditch and rolled end-over-end. He finished the stage with a broken windscreen and severe damage to the front of his car. Evans suffered an agonising time with engine and gearshift problems on SS26 but some quick repairs saw him back on the road to F2 victory.

Gwyndaf Evans said he had never dreamed of winning the Formula Two battle in the RAC Rally. "We hoped a good run might leave us in the top 15 overall and top three in F2 but to win and be seventh overall...it's absolutely fantastic. This must be my best ever result, certainly the most satisfying," said Evans who won late backing from Rapid Fit to boost the efforts of Gordon Spooner Engineering. He said he hoped the result would lead to some World Championship drives for Ford next season.

Prodrive boss David Richards made allegations of foul play after his Subaru star Carlos Sainz crashed out ending his world title hopes. Richards said Sainz had been upset by an incident on the first stage of the day when he found two large logs in his path which had not been there earlier for Colin McRae. "He did not make a big fuss about it but he was rather rattled," said Richards. "It's very upsetting." Sainz crashed out on the next stage after a mistake on a tight bend and has so far made no mention of logs.

Cumbrian Malcolm Wilson rolled down a 10ft ravine to end his RAC Rally bid in spectacular style. The 1994 British Champion was well set for a top four finish having overhauled his Ford teammate Stig Blomqvist on SS25 Dyfi Gartheiniog with the third fastest stage time. Disaster struck on the first of the Penmachno stages in north Wales where he went off on a right-hand hairpin not far from the end of the 8.31-mile test. He and co-driver Bryan Thomas are believed to have escaped unhurt.

A total of 109 cars left Chester at the start of the final day, with 69 crews having retired during the first three days. Ahead of the survivors were seven stages through mid and north Wales over 68.37 competitive miles. The first car arrived back in Chester at 3pm. Women's world champions Isolde Holderied of Germany and Swedish co-driver Tina Thorner comfortably won the award for all-women crews. Sisters Stephanie and Rachael Simmonite finished second in their Peugeot. Five of the six all-women entries completed the event.

David Llewellin (15 Vauxhall) was lucky to escape a puncture when he clipped a rock in SS26. He changed the wheel before SS27 just in case. Martin Rowe arrived at service on three wheels in his Peugeot (40) after losing a wheel towards the end of SS27. He survived again when the front strut broke on SS29. Drama for the communications plane which lost one of its two engines and was forced to make an emergency landing at a Welsh airfield. It had been carrying radio and telephone repeater equipment for most of the top teams, except Toyota.

Disappointment for Julian Porter who retired on SS24 when both driveshafts broke on his Vauxhall Nova. "The car had been running perfectly and we had a comfortable class lead," he said dejectedly. Last-placed Trevor Godwin in his Rover finished almost 3.5 hours behind winner Colin McRae. "Our manager Tom Seal issued us with team orders that we must, at all costs, retain our last place in the classification positions," he said. Rodney Bennett (155 Lancia) was running close to maximum lateness after a wheel sheared off in SS24.

General Motors Europe have won the inaugural FIA two-litre rally World Cup with Gregoire De Mevius and David Llewellin third and fourth in the F2 category of the RAC Rally. Husband and wife team Rob and Julie Barry, lying 30th overall in their Mitsubishi at the end of SS27, consider their rally a success. "At least we have made it through the event without an argument" said Rob. Michael Chadwick, 28th overall and fourth in his class after SS25, went off in his Opel on the next stage, losing two minutes. "I've thrown it all away," he said.

Jonny Milner and co-driver Steve Turvey clinched Group N victory with a superb drive in their showroom-standard Ford Escort Cosworth. They were 12th overall, beating Group N rival Masao Kamioka in a Subaru by more than 3 minutes. Spaniard Jesus Puras clinched the FIA Cup for Production Car Drivers with third overall in Group N in his Ford Escort Cosworth. Women's world champions Isolde Holderied and Tina Thorner, the only challengers for the Group N title, finished 15 seconds back in fourth place.

Mike Barge survived a scare on SS28 when he went off in his Sierra and almost struck Malcolm Wilson's stranded Escort. Frenchman Jose Barbara described his first RAC as "most enjoyable". David Kedward nursed his Ford Escort through the final stages after the engine mountings broke on SS27. The crew 'wired' the engine in place and struggled to the end. Jane Gunningham also faced late problems when she hit a hole on SS27 damaging the steering on her Peugeot. She finished in the top 70.

French journalist Stephane Gaillard won the Fleet Street award in his Group N Renault. He was 71st overall out of the 97 finishers. South Africans Jan Habig and Douglas Judd, competing in their first World Championship event, finished eighth in their Ford Escort to claim the Newcomers Award. Welsh crew Gwyndaf Evans and Howard Davies won the F2 category and also clinched the Silver Challenge Trophy presented to the best-placed all-British crew in a British car.


OVER-ALL POSITIONS AFTER SPECIAL STAGE 29

 1 C McRae/Ringer       Subaru
            Car   4 Grp A: 1 Class 8: 1  5:17:25
 2 Kankkunen/Grist      Toyota
            Car   1 Grp A: 2 Class 8: 2  5:20:58
 3 Thiry/Prevot         Ford
            Car  11 Grp A: 3 Class 8: 3  5:27:37
 4 Blomqvist/Melander   Ford
            Car  12 Grp A: 4 Class 8: 4  5:30:13
 5 Vatanen/Pons         Ford
            Car   7 Grp A: 5 Class 8: 5  5:34:25
 6 Auriol/Occelli       Toyota
            Car   6 Grp A: 6 Class 8: 6  5:47:57
 7 Evans/Davis          Ford
            Car  27 Grp A: 7 Class 7: 1  5:52:24
 8 Habig/Judd           Ford
            Car  38 Grp A: 8 Class 8: 7  5:53:16
 9 Makinen/Harjanne     Nissan
            Car  18 Grp A: 9 Class 7: 2  5:53:25
10 De Mevius/Lux        Opel
            Car  17 Grp A:10 Class 7: 3  5:53:54
11 Llewellin/Grindrod   Vauxhall
            Car  15 Grp A:11 Class 7: 4  5:54:31
12 Milner/Turvey        Ford
            Car  32 Grp N: 1 Class 4: 1  5:57:37
13 Kamioka/Stewart      Subaru
            Car  28 Grp N: 2 Class 4: 2  6:00:38
14 Rowe/Wood            Peugeot
            Car  40 Grp A:12 Class 7: 5  6:04:51
15 Puras/Romani         Ford
            Car  26 Grp N: 3 Class 4: 3  6:05:08
16 Holderied/Thorner    Mitsubishi
            Car  30 Grp N: 4 Class 4: 4  6:05:23
17 Easson/Cook          Ford
            Car  35 Grp N: 5 Class 4: 5  6:06:06
18 Doctor/Badenberg     Mitsubishi
            Car  34 Grp N: 6 Class 4: 6  6:08:50
19 Sibera/Gross         Skoda
            Car  23 Grp A:13 Class 5: 1  6:10:28
20 Petch/Croft          Ford
            Car  36 Grp N: 7 Class 4: 7  6:10:33
21 Dyas/Derry           Ford
            Car  46 Grp N: 8 Class 4: 8  6:12:01
22 Triner/Klima         Skoda
            Car  22 Grp A:14 Class 5: 2  6:13:29
23 Ellis Jones/Lewis    Ford
            Car  37 Grp N: 9 Class 4: 9  6:14:30
24 Singh/Teoh Boon Sim  Proton
            Car  39 Grp N:10 Class 4:10  6:20:25
25 Jaffray/McGowan      Ford
            Car  65 Grp A:15 Class 8: 8  6:23:09
26 Holfeld/Morgan       Ford
            Car  51 Grp N:11 Class 4:11  6:23:40
27 Smith/Carstairs      Ford
            Car  62 Grp N:12 Class 4:12  6:24:11
28 Davies/Hobbs         Vauxhall
            Car  88 Grp N:13 Class 3: 1  6:27:25
29 Somerville/Perrin    Ford
            Car  57 Grp A:16 Class 8: 9  6:28:48
30 Barry/Barry          Mitsubishi
            Car  56 Grp N:14 Class 4:13  6:29:13
31 Green/Thomas         Vauxhall
            Car  92 Grp A:17 Class 6: 1  6:31:35
32 Sisson/Savage        Ford
            Car  82 Grp N:15 Class 4:14  6:32:05
33 Joel/Capstick        Ford
            Car  59 Grp N:16 Class 4:15  6:34:51
34 Willoughby/Steward   Ford
            Car 143 Grp A:18 Class 8:10  6:37:34
35 Green/Capstick       Ford
            Car  54 Grp N:17 Class 4:16  6:38:11
36 Reynolds/Joll        Honda
            Car  94 Grp N:18 Class 2: 1  6:40:13
37 Richardson/Hill      Peugeot
            Car  93 Grp A:19 Class 7: 6  6:41:18
38 Barge/Stubbs         Ford
            Car 120 Grp N:19 Class 4:17  6:42:24
39 Dalgarno/Taylor      Ford
            Car 117 Grp N:20 Class 4:18  6:46:20
40 Barbara/Desseaux     Ford
            Car  63 Grp N:21 Class 4:19  6:46:44
41 Girardin/Amacher     Ford
            Car  60 Grp N:22 Class 4:20  6:48:11
42 Bown/Bown            Vauxhall
            Car 108 Grp A:20 Class 7: 7  6:48:22
43 Henry/Wise           Ford
            Car  79 Grp N:23 Class 4:21  6:49:40
44 Russell/Ashfield     Ford
            Car  98 Grp N:24 Class 4:22  6:49:51
45 Stoodley/Collins     Peugeot
            Car  66 Grp A:21 Class 7: 8  6:50:06
46 French/Baines        Volkswagen
            Car  95 Grp A:22 Class 7: 9  6:50:33
47 Clarke/Preston       Peugeot
            Car  97 Grp A:23 Class 7:10  6:51:36
48 Johnson/Burkill      Skoda
            Car 121 Grp A:24 Class 5: 3  6:51:45
49 Cox/Eccleston        Vauxhall
            Car  69 Grp N:25 Class 4:23  6:52:49
50 Bengry/Forsbrook     Peugeot
            Car 130 Grp A:25 Class 5: 4  6:54:04
51 Simmonite/Simmonite  Peugeot
            Car 126 Grp A:26 Class 7:11  6:54:27
52 Presswell/Cottam     Vauxhall
            Car 133 Grp A:27 Class 7:12  6:54:31
53 Kent/Whiten          Peugeot
            Car 161 Grp N:26 Class 1: 1  6:56:10
54 Jaques/Jaques        Vauxhall
            Car 118 Grp N:27 Class 3: 2  6:56:46
55 Wedgbury/Regan       Skoda
            Car 137 Grp N:28 Class 1: 2  6:56:51
56 Ceen/Bull            Ford
            Car  72 Grp N:29 Class 4:24  6:58:28
57 Chadwick/Entwistle   Opel
            Car 163 Grp A:28 Class 5: 5  7:00:01
58 Rees/Heymer          Ford
            Car  74 Grp A:29 Class 8:11  7:03:10
59 Wilson/Harrison      Vauxhall
            Car 165 Grp A:30 Class 7:13  7:04:29
60 Andrew/Heather       Peugeot
            Car 197 Grp N:30 Class 1: 3  7:11:02
61 Kollevold/Lie        Peugeot
            Car 145 Grp N:31 Class 3: 3  7:12:14
62 Labaune/Sassoulas    Peugeot
            Car 132 Grp A:31 Class 6: 2  7:14:10
63 Wheatley/Orr         Skoda
            Car 180 Grp N:32 Class 1: 4  7:14:25
64 Bowman/Chew          Ford
            Car 154 Grp A:32 Class 8:12  7:15:37
65 Heath/Hely           Ford
            Car 156 Grp N:33 Class 4:25  7:16:06
66 Kedward/Cresswell    Ford
            Car 139 Grp N:34 Class 4:26  7:17:18
67 Knott/Connor         Peugeot
            Car 172 Grp A:33 Class 7:14  7:17:53
68 Gunningham/Rabbett   Peugeot
            Car 147 Grp A:34 Class 7:15  7:18:28
69 Wills/Brown          Rover
            Car 148 Grp N:35 Class 3: 4  7:19:46
70 Jonquieres/Phelippea Peugeot
            Car 138 Grp N:36 Class 2: 2  7:21:05
71 Gaillard/Epalle      Renault
            Car 135 Grp N:37 Class 3: 5  7:21:34
72 Brookes/Wilson       Rover
            Car  24 Grp A:35 Class 5: 6  7:22:45
73 Hopcraft/Pomfret     Peugeot
            Car 136 Grp A:36 Class 7:16  7:25:16
74 Timlin/Kenyon        Vauxhall
            Car 160 Grp A:37 Class 5: 7  7:25:36
75 Wynne/Bevan          Suzuki
            Car 185 Grp N:38 Class 1: 5  7:26:13
76 Tyson/Crabtree       Peugeot
            Car 128 Grp N:39 Class 2: 3  7:26:15
77 Raven/Terry          Peugeot
            Car 174 Grp N:40 Class 1: 6  7:27:13
78 Evans/Butcher        Peugeot
            Car  84 Grp A:38 Class 7:17  7:33:10
79 Stevens/Rodgers      Skoda
            Car 181 Grp N:41 Class 1: 7  7:33:36
80 Winstanley/Winstanle Nissan
            Car 190 Grp N:42 Class 3: 6  7:36:32
81 Marlow/Marlow        Ford
            Car 123 Grp A:39 Class 8:13  7:39:14
81 Shaw/Prout           Lada
            Car 170 Grp A:39 Class 5: 8  7:39:14
83 Gobert/Cloteau       Peugeot
            Car 168 Grp N:43 Class 3: 7  7:44:08
84 Grimes/Deeley        Peugeot
            Car 195 Grp A:41 Class 7:18  7:48:41
85 Archer/Cammack       Vauxhall
            Car 107 Grp N:44 Class 3: 8  7:56:15
86 Fletcher/Chadwick    Peugeot
            Car 159 Grp N:45 Class 1: 8  7:56:24
87 Boden/Parkhurst      Vauxhall
            Car 189 Grp N:46 Class 1: 9  8:04:32
88 Mallory/Mee          Lada
            Car 151 Grp A:42 Class 5: 9  8:07:22
89 Senior/Loveluck      Vauxhall
            Car 187 Grp N:47 Class 2: 4  8:07:39
90 Maundrell/Pain       Peugeot
            Car 177 Grp A:43 Class 7:19  8:08:25
91 Moore/Lucas          Rover
            Car 192 Grp N:48 Class 1:10  8:16:03
92 Skelton/Walker       Skoda
            Car 182 Grp N:49 Class 1:11  8:16:14
93 Plant/Plant          Rover
            Car 193 Grp N:50 Class 1:12  8:19:14
94 Warring/Owen         MG
            Car 196 Grp A:44 Class 7:20  8:20:11
95 Smith/Davies         MG
            Car 176 Grp N:51 Class 3: 9  8:21:48
96 Zamparutti/Ciani     Peugeot
            Car 110 Grp N:52 Class 3:10  8:32:17
97 Godwin/Wyer          Rover
            Car 184 Grp A:45 Class 5:10  8:43:25



LIST OF RETIREMENTS

122 Somerville/McCallum  Ford         N/4 RS01
      Gearbox
127 Brazier/Palmer       Vauxhall     N/3 RS01
      Gearbox
140 Blake/Bates          Lancia       N/4 RS01
      Driveshaft
 58 Richer/Howlett       Ford         A/8 SS02
      Trackrod
 70 Yamada/Watanabe      Mitsubishi   N/4 SS03
      Off in stage
 96 Northall/Joy         Rover        N/3 SS03
      Front strut mounting
169 Owen/Chinn           Peugeot      A/7 SS03
      Suspension
116 Nicoll/Nicoll        Audi         A/8 RS03
      Suspension
 78 Hoy/Corner           Toyota       N/4 SS04
      Accident in stage
178 Butler/Kennedy       Vauxhall     N/3 SS04
      Accident in stage
183 Collyer/Mollett      Vauxhall     A/6 SS04
      Driveshaft
103 Darragh/Oates        Ford         N/4 RS04
      Engine failure
142 Jasper/Edwards       Ford         N/4 RS04
      Gearbox
 77 Kanao/Nakajima       Subaru       N/4 RS05
      Engine failure
100 Jardine/Calvin       Ford         N/4 RS05
      Gearbox
 76 Stromberg/Ohlsson    Saab         A/7 RS06
      Piston
  3 Delecour/Grataloup   Ford         A/8 SS07
      Exclusion Art. 19.3 & 15.9
171 Mason/Mountford      Lada         A/5 SS07
      Clutch
158 Lennox/Wood          Peugeot      A/7 RS07
      Exceeded maximum lateness
 75 Hackett/Davies       Ford         N/4 SS08
      Engine failure
164 Bevan/Armstrong      Vauxhall     N/3 SS08
      Driveshaft
 16 A McRae/Senior       Nissan       A/7 SS09
      Electrical
 64 Crabtree/Jordan      Mitsubishi   N/4 RS09
      Suspension
  9 Burns/Reid           Subaru       A/8 SS10
      Suspension
 42 Maeshima/Gormley     Subaru       N/4 SS10
      Off in stage
 55 Joannides/Dashfield  Ford         N/4 SS10
      Head gasket
 83 Dewitt/Bowman        Ford         A/8 SS10
      Driveshaft
 91 Higgins/Park         Peugeot      A/5 SS10
      Cambelt
153 Crowton/Stewart      MG           N/3 SS10
      Accident in stage
 43 Jones/Morgan         Mitsubishi   A/8 RS10
      Piston
 48 Clark/Dyson          Ford         N/4 SS11
      Off in stage
 52 Humphreys/Jones      Ford         N/4 SS11
      Engine failure
 61 Jones/Jenkins        Nissan       A/8 SS11
      Electrical
 67 Skar/Eikasen         Opel         A/7 SS11
      Accident in stage
186 Barry/Gooch          Suzuki       N/1 SS11
      Driveshaft
 45 Kirtley/Geldart      Ford         A/8 RS11
      Driveshaft
179 Murrell/Davies       Opel         A/5 SS12
      Differential
 47 Luer/Schaller        Ford         N/4 SS13
      Driveshaft
101 Jones/Welson         Vauxhall     A/6 SS13
      Engine failure
134 Whitehurst/Atherton  Toyota       A/6 SS13
      Electrical
144 Comelli/Candoni      Peugeot      N/3 SS13
      Ignition
 73 Wetton/Leighton      Volkswagen   A/8 RS13
      Dropped valve
 80 Hill/Hilton          Ford         N/4 RS13
      Exceeded maximum lateness
 99 Bailey/Loveys        BMW          A/8 RS13
      Electrical
113 Youde/Neale          Peugeot      A/7 RS13
      Split fuel tank
  5 Biasion/Siviero      Ford         A/8 RS14
      Electrical
 49 Stephenson/Whittaker Ford         A/8 RS15
      Front differential
129 Kelly/Davies         Vauxhall     A/7 RS15
      Fuel pump
 71 Menzies/Thake        Ford         N/4 SS16
      Off in stage
150 O'Neill/Curry        Honda        N/2 SS16
      Driveshaft
194 Mason/Burns          Vauxhall     N/2 SS16
      Bottom pulley
162 Simpson/Booth        Peugeot      N/3 RS16
      Dropped valve
166 Smith/Middleton      Suzuki       N/1 RS16
      Driveshaft
167 Backwall/Rydham      Citroen      N/1 SS17
      Accident in stage
175 Johnson/Flynn        Rover        N/1 SS17
      Differential
 14 Fujimoto/Hertz       Toyota       A/8 SS18
      Accident in stage
 85 Lancaster/Spooner    Peugeot      A/7 SS19
      Oil cooler
114 Brown/Brooks         Vauxhall     A/6 SS19
      Differential
125 Bowers/Stokoe        Peugeot      A/7 SS19
      Accident in stage
188 Glenister/Nixon      Lada         A/5 SS19
      Accident in stage
102 Hunt/McGrogan        Ford         N/4 RS20
      Gearbox
109 Williams/Sheppard    Vauxhall     N/2 SS21
      Steering
124 Wood/Wood            Saab         A/8 SS21
      Distributor
152 Tilly/Moore          Vauxhall     N/2 SS21
      Ball joint
141 Healer/Wynn          Ford         N/4 RS21
      Engine failure
191 Eaton/Powell         Vauxhall     A/5 RS21
      Clutch
 53 Higgins/Simmons      Honda        N/2 SS22
      Engine failure
131 Menestrier/Gros      Peugeot      A/6 SS22
      Accident in stage
173 Kitching/Tatham      Vauxhall     A/6 RS22
      Exceeded maximum lateness
 87 Porter/Foy           Vauxhall     A/6 SS24
      Driveshafts
149 Worts/Phillipson     Vauxhall     A/7 SS24
      Accident in stage
  2 Sainz/Moya           Subaru       A/8 RS24
      Accident in stage
115 Leckie/Lewis         Ford         N/4 RS24
      Suspension
 10 Wilson/Thomas        Ford         A/8 SS25
      Accident in stage
 33 Hill/Boyles          Mitsubishi   A/8 SS25
      Accident in stage
 44 Worswick/Molyneux    Ford         A/8 RS25
      Head gasket
157 Evans/Hawes          Vauxhall     N/2 RS25
      Did not reach SS26
 50 Curran/Warner        Ford         A/8 SS27
      Lost wheel
119 Coughtrie/Cooledge   Subaru       N/4 RS27
      Did not reach SS28
155 Bennett/Langley      Lancia       A/8 RS27
      Did not reach SS28
 81 Reininger/Csosz      Renault      N/3 SS29
      Stopped in stage


Final drivers' world standings
 1 D Auriol    Fr  Toyota     116 points
 2 C Sainz     Sp  Subaru      99
 3 J Kankkunen Fin Toyota      93
 4 C McRae     GB  Subaru      49
 5 B Thiry     Bel Ford        44
 6 M Biasion   It  Ford        42
 7 A Schwarz   Ger Mitsubishi  31
 8 F Delecour  Fr  Ford        30
 9 A Vatanen   Fin Ford        28
10 T Makinen   Fin Nissan      22

Manufacturers
1 Toyota      151 points   Championship winners
2 Subaru      140
3 Ford        116
4 Mitsubishi   41


F1:- German Michael Schumacher has been confirmed as world champion after an inquiry into his collision with Damon Hill at the Australian GP. The sport's governing body, the FIA, said there was insufficient evidence to justify summoning either to the World Motor Sport Council meeting on December 9. A statement said they had looked at "all relevant information, including some not available to the stewards in Adelaide". The statement added: "The matter is therefore closed."

The FIA are to consider plans to prevent future world championships being decided by a collision. The move follows the crash involving Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill in Australia, which sealed the title for the German. One possible option would be to allow title rivals to continue in spare cars or stage a race-off at the end of the Grand Prix. Schumacher's Benetton team welcomed the FIA's "constructive comments about possible modifications to the rules to avoid future controversy."




25.11.94
RALLYCROSS:- Drivers from all over Europe will be heading for Brands Hatch for the Autoglass British Rallycross Grand Prix on 3/4 December. The two-day spectacular is set to feature a clash of the titans with a head-to-head between the top Group A and Group B supercars. Top Brits Will Gollop, Barry Squibb and Richard Hutton take on some of Europe's best including Jean-Luc Pailler and Martin Schanche.

JAPANESE F3000:- Britain's Andrew Gilbert-Scott could clinch the Japanese F3000 title with victory at Suzuka on Sunday. If he is victorious he will be the first Briton to win the premier single seat category since Geoff Lees in 1983. "If I can win the championship, I think there is a strong chance that I will drive in Formula One next season," said Gilbert-Scott.




26.11.94 - JAPANESE F3000
Britain's Andrew Gilbert-Scott claimed pole position for Sunday's Japanese F3000 title decider at Suzuka. His time of 1 min 42.315 secs was nearly a second faster than championship leader Marco Apicella. Gilbert-Scott needs to win to ensure himself the title. "The car was handling very well today and I feel very confident about the race tomorrow," he said.




28.11.94
JAPANESE F3000:- Andrew Gilbert-Scott's bid for the Japanese F3000 title ended in the gravel at Suzuka. The Briton started on pole and needed to win to clinch the title from championship leader Marco Apicella. But the Italian crashed into Gilbert-Scott at the first corner and therefore won the title by three points. "I've had a great year of racing, I took four poles and three wins on a lean budget. I will now consider my options," said Gilbert-Scott.

SPORTSCARS:- McLaren are to take part in the Le Mans 24 Hours race for the first time in 1995, together with US fuel company Gulf Oil.




29.11.94 - RALLYING
Gregoire de Mevius has lost his ninth place at the Australian rally in September after being found guilty of using illegal fuel. The Belgian Opel driver used a mixture of authorised fuel and "a commercial super fuel", according to FIA, the sport's governing body. FIA added: "There were no fradulent intentions on behalf of the competitor and there are no grounds for demanding further sanctions."




30.11.94 - F1
Ulsterman Eddie Irvine and Brazil's Rubens Barrichello are to retain their seats in the Jordan Formula One Grand Prix team next season. Barrichello will be with the team for a third year, while Irvine has signed a long-term deal after completing his first year in F1. "It's a major bonus to the team to have retained both our drivers for 1995," said team boss Eddie Jordan. Barrichello, who finished sixth in the 1994 Drivers' Championship, said: "I decided to stay because the team have a very good package."