1.10.95 - F1: THE EUROPEAN GP Result after 67 laps: hr:mins:secs 1 M Schumacher Ger Benetton 1:39.59.04 2 J Alesi Fr Ferrari @ 2.684 3 D Coulthard GB Williams @ 35.382 4 R Barrichello Brz Jordan @ 1 lap 5 J Herbert GB Benetton @ 1 lap 6 E Irvine GB Jordan @ 1 lap 7 M Brundle GB Ligier @ 1 lap 8 M Hakkinen Fin McLaren @ 2 laps 9 P Lamy Por Minardi @ 3 laps 10 M Salo Fin Tyrrell @ 3 laps 11 L Badoer It Minardi @ 3 laps 12 M Papis It Footwork @ 3 laps 13 P Diniz Brz Forti @ 5 laps 14 G Tarquini It Tyrrell @ 6 laps 15 J Deletraz Swi Lotus @ 7 laps WORLD DRIVERS' CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS 1 M Schumacher Ger Benetton 82 pts 2 D Hill GB Williams 55 3 D Coulthard GB Williams 43 4 J Alesi Fr Ferrari 40 5 J Herbert GB Benetton 40 6 G Berger Aut Ferrari 28 7 H Frentzen Ger Sauber 15 8 M Hakkinen Fin McLaren 11 9 R Barrichello Brz Jordan 11 10 M Blundell GB McLaren 10 11 O Panis Fr Ligier 8 12 M Brundle GB Ligier 7 13 E Irvine GB Jordan 7 14 J-C Boullion Fr Sauber 3 15 M Salo Fin Tyrrell 2 CONSTRUCTORS' CHAMPIONSHIP: 1 Benetton 112 points 2 Williams 92 3 Ferrari 68 4 McLaren 21 5 Sauber 18 6 Jordan 18 7 Ligier 16 8 Tyrrell 2 9 Footwork 1German Michael Schumacher recorded his seventh victory of the current season to take a 27-point lead in the drivers' championship with only three races left. Schumacher battled for supremacy with Ferrari's Jean Alesi over the closing stages but grabbed the lead two laps from the finish. Earlier Alesi looked to have secured an unassailable lead over his rivals after building up a comfortable 28-second cushion between himself and the field. But the current world champion refused to capitulate and staged a superb comeback to secure a memorable win.
Damon Hill's title aspirations lay in tatters after he spun off seven laps from the end and was forced to watch Michael Schumacher grab a superb win. Hill, while endeavouring to close the gap on the leaders lost his racing line, picked up water on his tyres and lost control of his Williams-Renault. He had earlier dropped back after leaving the track while attempting to overtake Jean Alesi and had to make a pit stop to replace his car's nose cone. Hill now trails Schumacher by 27-points with only three races of the current championship remaining.
David Coulthard failed in his bid to record a second Grand Prix win after finishing third behind Jean Alesi and Michael Schumacher. The odds were stacked against Coulthard before the start when he was forced to begin the race in Damon Hill's spare car after spinning off on the reconnaissance lap. "I was forced to take the spare car and I believe that compromised the race a little," admitted the disappointed Scot. However, Coulthard, starting from pole, got off to a flying and start before dropping back as the race progressed.
Michael Schumacher was over-the-moon after securing victory which leaves him with a massive lead in the drivers' championship with three races remaining. "In my wildest dreams I wouldn't have seen myself 27-points ahead after that race," enthused the G erman. "I managed to take the lead because the team built up a strategy which worked to the end of the race," he added. And referring to Damon Hill's congratulatory gesture to him Schumacher added: "That just shows there is not such a strong situation bet ween us as everyone thinks."
Scotland's David Coulthard will drive for McLaren Mercedes in 1996, it has been announced. The team confirmed one of Formula One's worst kept secrets by naming Coulthard, who scored his maiden win last weekend, as Mika Hakkinen's new partner. The 24-ye ar-old's arrival from Williams means fellow Briton Mark Blundell must look for a new drive for next year. McLaren are also in talks with four-times former champion Alain Prost about a future role with the team, but he has ruled out a racing comeback.
McLaren Mercedes pronounced themselves "very happy" after finally recruiting rising star David Coulthard to partner Mika Hakkinen next season. The Twynholm-born Scot will join them for 1996 after losing his place with rivals Williams to Canadian IndyCa r star Jacques Villeneuve. McLaren tried to sign Coulthard last year, but Williams went to a contract board to secure his services. Mercedes Benz Motorsport spokesman Norbert Haug said both drivers were young and talented and had quickly earned an "intern ational reputation."
Qualifying for Formula One Grands Prix will be reduced from two sessions to one in 1996. Team bosses have agreed to have a single qualifying session on Saturday afternoons, with Friday likely to be used for two one-hour free sessions. "It will be good for television and more sensible," said Bernie Ecclestone, the president of the Formula One Constructors' Association. There was no agreement, however, on a plan to allow teams to enter a third car for races. "That's one for the future, I think, "added Ec clestone.
02.10.95 - F1Nigel Mansell wants to carry on racing - and has dismissed speculation that he is ready to retire. Mansell has been a spectator this season after his early problems with McLaren, but the 41-year-old is ready to return next season. He said: "We are going t o make a decision within the next two or three weeks whether or not we accept a full time drive in 1996. If things don't work out I'll have a sabbatical and there might be the chance of some guest drives. One thing is for sure - we are not retiring."
Porsche SuperCup - Ninth Round at the European Grand Prix -------------------------------------------------------------------- Pos Driver Team Time --------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Emmanuel Collard/F JMB Competition 31:00.132 2 Jean-Pierre Malcher/F JMB Competition + 1.277 3 Marco Werner/D Udo Schneider Motorsport 6.326 4 Juergen von Gartzen/D Falke Oberbayern Motorsport 9.441 5 Altfrid Heger/D Porsche Zentrum Koblenz 12.653 6 Danny Pfeil/D Beru tolimit 16.822 7 Patrick Huisman/NL Dutch Racing Promotions 27.551 8 Bob Wollek/F Porsche AG 35.685 9 Horst Farnbacher/D Prosuba Farnbacher 40.025 10 Toni Ruokonen/F Kadach Tuning 51.312 Final top 15 standings: ------------------------------------- Pos Driver Pts ------------------------------------- 1 J.-P. Malcher/F 180 2 J. v. Gartzen/D 167 3 E. Collard/F 164 4 P. Huisman/NL 107 5 M. Werner/D 94 6 H. Farnbacher/D 75 7 B. Corradi/I 69 8 A. Kulundzic/YUG 58 9 A. Ahrle/D 46 10 H. Grohs/D 35 11 F. Schmickler/D 34 12 J.P. Jarier/F 33 13 F. Giroix/F 29 14 J. Leconte/F 23 15 M. Mora/F 21 03.10.95 - F1Fears that Rubens Barrichello and Max Papis could be banned after a drugs test have been dismissed by FIA president Max Mosley. Mosley said the incident was a "storm in a teacup" after both drivers admitted taking controlled substances after a random dope test. Both were suffering with heavy colds and took remedies which contained ephedrine, in Barrichello's case, and pheniphedrine, in Papis's.
The internal strife at Ferrari showed no signs of dying down at the European Grand Prix last weekend when Gerhard Berger launched a verbal assault on Ferrari press officer Giancarlo Baccini. Berger's remarks follow hot on the heels of Jean Alesi's comm ents about Ferrari's Jean Todt.
Ford's new V10 Formula engine should run for the first time within the next fortnight. F1 director of operations Peter Gillitzer said components had already been tested under simulated conditions.
05.10.95 - F1Damon Hill outpaced Michael Schumacher for the second successive day of testing at Imola. Hill missed the course record by 0.3 seconds as he clocked a fastest lap of one minute, 27.56 seconds. Schumacher, testing a new suspension system on his Benetton Re nault, was almost one second slower in 1:28.50. Jacques Villenueve, Hill's Formula One partner for next season, had a fastest lap of 1:28.62 and said: "I'm satisfied with my progress. I'm learning for the next season."
06.10.95F1:- Michael Schumacher crashed his car and Jacques Villeneuve blew an engine - causing an early end to tests of the Benetton and Williams teams at Imola. Schumacher spun off at the Variante Alta corner and escaped the accident unhurt, track officials rep orted. Villeneuve, a Formula One newcomer, was stopped by the blown engine of his Williams Renault. The young Canadian driver had earlier recorded a best time of one minute, 27.91 seconds, compared to Schumacher's fastest lap of 1:28.03.
SUPERTOURING:- First tests of the new two-litre Vauxhall Vectra super touring car have been carried out at Silverstone, with Opel's engineers pleased by the results. The car was driven over 60 laps by new South African Trouing Car Champion Mike Briggs. "E verything on the car was said to be working as expected" said Donatus Wichelhaus, the engineer in charge.
LONDON RALLY PREVIEW:- Cumbrian driver Malcolm Wilson starts favourite in the inaugural Privilege Insurance London International Rally which takes place this weekend. Wilson's Ford Escort Cosworth will be first away at the head of a 90-car field, leaving Windsor Racecourse at the start of a 275-mile event including 100 miles of competitive stages. Among the opposition will be the 1984 world champion Stig Blomqvist of Sweden in a F2 Escort RS2000 and rising star David Higgins in a clubmans-spec RS2000. Oth ers to watch should be Peter Doughty (Sierra Cos) and Richard Moore (Subaru).
Many local drivers will be lining up with the established British rally stars to compete in the first London-based motor sport event since the 1960s. Among the entries will be many Fords, Nissans, Fiats and Lancias, plus a 911 Porsche, Sunbeam Tiger, R enault A110 Alpine and Austin Seven Deluxe. Spectators are welcome at Royal Windsor Racecourse for the start and finish and plenty of other entertainment. Good viewing is also promised at the Michelin Swinley Woods stage and the Thorn Security Brooklands stage.
Spectator guide to the stages: Saturday 0800 Start at Windsor racecourse 0819 Swinley Woods - SS1 0828 Swinley Woods - SS2 1049 Swinley Woods - SS8 1059 Swinley Woods - SS9 1136 Windsor racecourse - service 1221 Windsor racecourse - service ends 1321 Brooklands - SS11 1330 Brooklands - SS12 1444 Swinley Woods - SS15 1454 Swinley Woods - SS16 1531 Windsor racecourse - service 1616 Windsor racecourse - service ends 1806 Swinley Woods - SS20 1817 Swinley Woods - SS21 1855 Windsor racecourse - Day 1 finish Sunday 0800 Day 2 start, Windsor racecourse 0820 Swinley Woods - SS22 0831 Swinley Woods - SS23 0950 Brooklands - SS25 0959 Brooklands - SS26 1205 Swinley Woods - SS31 1215 Swinley Woods - SS32 1400 Windsor racecourse - finish 1630 Windsor racecourse - prizegiving. Spectators are advised to be in place at least 30 minutes before time shownRALLYING:- 1994 British Rally champion Malcolm Wilson is to drive an official RAS Ford Team entry on the Network Q RAC Rally, Britain's World Championship round. Wilson, who has competed in every RAC Rally since 1977 finishing third in his Michelin Pilot Team Ford Escort in '93, is co-driven by Bryan Thomas. "I've competed on fewer rallies this year than usual so I'm really fired-up and looking forward to this year's event," said Wilson, who joins Ford stars Francois Delecour and Bruno Thiry. Wilson compe tes this weekend on the London International Rally.
07.10.95F3:- Warren Hughes will be on pole position for round 16 of the British Formula 3 Championship at Silverstone on Sunday. Hughes, in a Dallara Mitsubishi, lapped in 1 min 04.205 secs on a drying track to share the front row of the grid with Brazilian Chri stiana Da Matta. Championship leader Ralph Firman, bidding to clinch the title this weekend, could manage only sixth with his main rival Oliver Gavin ninth. Further bad news for Firman followed in round 17 qualifying as he slipped back to 10th place while Gavin clinched poll in his Dallara Vauxhall.
Round 16 qualifying times: mins secs 1 W Hughes Dallara-Mitsu. 1:04.205 2 C da Matta Dallara-Mugen 1:04.239 3 H Castro-N Dallara-Mugen 1:04.294 4 J Davies Dallara-Mugen 1:04.442 5 J Dufour Dallara-Mugen 1:04.562 6 R Firman Dallara-Mugen 1:04.590 7 J Matthews Dallara-Mugen 1:04.609 8 M Gene Dallara-Mugen 1:04.613 9 O Gavin Dallara-Vaux. 1:04.630 10 B Cunn'ham Dallara-Mugen 1:04.663 Round 17 qualifying times: mins secs 1 O Gavin Dallara-Vaux. 1:05.118 2 J Matthews Dallara-Mugen 1:05.179 3 J Davies Dallara-Mugen 1:05.214 4 W Hughes Dallara-Mitsu. 1:05.250 5 G Rodriguez Dallara-Mugen 1:05.430 6 B Cunn'ham Dallara-Mugen 1:05.436 7 O McAuley Dallara-Mitsub 1:05.440 8 J Dufour Dallara-Mugen 1:05.511 9 H Castro-N Dallara-Mugen 1:05.543 10 R Firman Dallara-Mugen 1:05.570INTERSERIE CUP:- Canadian Robbie Stirling was fastest in both practice sessions at a wet Donington Park to claim pole spot in his Lola Judd V10 for Sunday's 9th and 10th rounds of the Interserie Cup. Series leader Walter Lechner of Austria starts both rac es from the fourth row.
08.10.95F3:- Oliver Gavin won the Autumn Gold Cup at Silverstone, penultimate round of the British F3 Championship, and moved into joint lead with Ralph Firman in the title battle. Gavin led from start to finish in round 17 to win by 2.55 seconds from James Matth ews with Warren Hughes, winner of round 16 earlier in the day, in third. Firman had a dreadful day, being disqualified from the first race for his driving tactics, then slumping to 13th after a clash in the second. Punishments given by officials brought F irman's endorsements to three and he may even be banned from the last round.
Round 16 result: mins secs 1 W Hughes Dallara-Mitsub 13:27.67 2 H Castro-N Dallara-Mugen 13:28.34 3 J Davies Dallara-Mugen 13:32.67 4 J Matthews Dallara-Mugen 13:39.30 5 G Rodriguez Dallara-Mitsu. 13:40.69 6 M Gene Dallara-Mugen 13:40.99 7 B Cunn'ham Dallara-Mugen 13:49.26 8 T Yokoyama Dallara-Toyota 13:52.87 9 C da Matta Dallara-Mugen 13:53.45 10 M Byford Dallara-Vaux. 13:53.64 R Firman Dallara-Mugen disq Round 17 result: mins secs 1 O Gavin Dallara-Vaux. 17:20.55 2 J Matthews Dallara-Mugen 17:23.10 3 W Hughes Dallara-Mitsu. 17:23.46 4 J Davies Dallara-Mugen 17:23.73 5 O McAuley Dallara-Mitsu. 17:28.17 6 C Da Matta Dallara-Mugen 17:29.36 7 G Rodriguez Dallara-Mugen 17:32.92 8 K Mollekens Dallara-Mugen 17:33.49 9 S Arnold Dallara-Vaux. 17:34.16 10 C Horner Dallara-Toyota 17:35.95CAMBRIAN RALLY:- Festiniog driver John Roberts has won the Snowdonia Windows Cambrian Rally for the third successive year. Roberts, with co-driver Mark Lewis, finished 62 seconds clear in his Sierra with John Bennett Evans second in an Escort. Andy Burton slipped out of contention after car problems.
INTERSERIE CUP:- Frederico Careca won the first of Donington Park's Interserie Cup races, powering his Penske Buick Indycar home to win by just 0.19 secs. Minardi Hart driver Karl-Heinz Becker was second but made amends by winning the second race.
GTs (Nogaro):- Result of round 11 of international sportscar endurance championship: hr mins secs 1 Wallace/Grouillard GB/Fr McLaren 4:00.36.69 150 laps 2 Nielsen/Bscher Den/Ger McLaren 149 laps 3 Bellm/Sala GB/Brz McLaren 149 laps 4 O-Jones/Raphanel GB/Fr McLaren 149 laps Championship standings: 1 Nielsen/Bscher 227 2 Bellm/Sala 194LONDON RALLY:- Nottingham's Pete Doughty in a Sierra Cosworth won the inaugural Privilege Insurance London International Rally, as drivers heaped praise on the event. Doughty and co-driver Lyn Jenkins were two minutes clear of second-placed Steve Hill in a Mitsubishi with Subaru driver Richard Moore finishing third. It was Doughty's second successive win in the Motoring News Tarmac Rally Championship and he was delighted: "We enjoyed the mix of forest stages and others that were 'different'," he said. The event finished in blazing sunshine at the Windsor racecourse.
Steve Hill claimed the runner-up spot in the London International Rally - but must have won the crowd's vote for his 50-foot leap on the Longcross hill! "We've very much enjoyed this rally and will be back next year to win it," said the Mitsubishi driv er. "A few longer stages would make it even better." Winner Pete Doughty commented: "It was a very slickly run rally. Everyone has been on the same footing with no local knowledge to help." Third-placed Richard Moore added: "It was a good event... but it just needs to not be part of a tarmac series."
Final leaderboard after 33 stages: Provisional result mins secs 1 Doughty/Jenkins Sierra Cos 115:09 2 Hill/Boyles Mitsubishi 117:10 3 Moore/Cook Subaru Imp 118:20 4 Davies/Kitson Metro 6R4 120:59 5 Smith/James Escort Cos 122:33 6 Appleby/Timbrell DAM 4100 122:52 7 Midwinter/Saunder Escort Cos 123:56 8 Lloyd/Snook Rover Met 124:56 9 Binyon/Daniels Rover 6R4 126:45 10 Welch/Norris Escort Cos 127:14 09.10.95 - F1Britain's Damon Hill has revealed that he suffered a fractured leg when he crashed during the European Grand Prix on October 1. The Williams driver said he still intended to race in the Pacific Grand Prix at Aida in Japan on October 22. "After the acciden t I could barely walk when I got home and the next day it felt no better," said Hill. "I went testing at Imola with Williams last week and it was while I was there I found out it was broken. I should be okay for the next race as I can have a week's rest n ow before I go," he added.
12.10.95F1:- Tyrrell's Japanese Formula One driver Ukyo Katayama will be fit to race in the Pacific Grand Prix on October 22. He came through two practice sessions at Silverstone without any problems following his dramatic collision at the Portuguese Grand Prix. "I was a bit nervous before getting into the car, though the first three laps went well," he said.
TOUR OF MULL RALLY:- Neil MacKinnon bids for a second Tour of Mull hat-trick, a barely believable achievement in this long, tough rally over twisting, tortuous island roads. He carries the number one plate on his Ford Escort Cosworth with John Price, one of the best known names in British tarmac rallying, seeded number two. MacKinnen will also be challenged hard by fellow Muileach Calum Duffym Duffy while Irishman Derek McGarrity in an MG Metro 6R4 should be among the leaders. The 140 drivers will compete over 19 stages totally 170 miles, finishing at Tobermory in the early hours of Sunday.
13.10.95F3:- Britons Ralph Firman and Oliver Gavin are set for a shoot-out on Sunday afternoon as the Formula Three championship reaches its climax. The duo go into the final 20 lap race of the season level on 172 points, both having won six races. Firman looked set to clinch the title last weekend but was disqualified during the races at Silverstone. Gavin won the second race to draw level with his title rival having been runner up in the series two years ago.
HONG KONG-BEIJING RALLY:- Colin McRae's chances of lifting the Asia-Pacific crown rest on fellow-Scot Richard Burns when the rally gets underway on Saturday. McRae is missing from the starting line up as it clashes with the penultimate round of the World Championship but he could win the title if Burns denies Kenneth Eriksson victory. The Swedish driver can win the Asia crown if he wins the 2,300 mile rally when it finishes in China on October 20. If he finishes second place or lower it will set up a show down in Thailand with McRae in December.
14.10.95TOURING CAR WORLD CUP:- Emanuele Pirro pipped his teammates Frank Biela and Hans Stuck to take pole spot in his Audi for both races in Sunday's World Cup at Paul Ricard. The four-wheel-drive Audis dominated qualifying for the two 26-lap showdowns while Br iton Steve Soper was the best of the challengers and starts fourth on the grid for both races in his BMW. "I fear it's become something of an Audi and BMW benefit," said dejected British Champion John Cleland, who starts from 14th and 18th place. The star -studded entry includes drivers from worldwide touring car series.
Qualifying times from Paul Ricard for Sunday's first race: mins secs 1 E Pirro It Audi 1:27.478 2 F Biela Ger Audi 1:27.483 3 H Stuck Ger Audi 1:27.540 4 S Soper GB BMW 1:27.671 5 J Cecotto Ven BMW 1:27.772 6 Y Muller Fr BMW 1:27.946 7 A Menu Swi Renault 1:28.007 8 R Ravaglia It BMW 1:28.035 9 R Cappelo It Audi 1:28.228 10 R Rydell Swe Volvo 1:28.290 11 K Burt GB Ford 1:28.488 12 D Brabham Aus BMW 1:28.560 13 J Winkelhock Ger BMW 1:28.581 14 J Cleland GB Vauxhall 1:28.627 Qualifying times from Paul Ricard for Sunday's second race: mins secs 1 E Pirro It Audi 1:27.319 2 H Stuck Ger Audi 1:27.521 3 F Biela Ger Audi 1:27.536 4 S Soper GB BMW 1:27.602 5 J Cecotto Ven BMW 1:27.727 6 Y Muller Fr BMW 1:27.762 7 R Ravaglia It BMW 1:27.812 8 A Reid GB Vauxhall 1:27.987 9 R Cappelo It Audi 1:28.008 10 A Menu Swi Renault 1:28.011 11 R Rydell Swe Volvo 1:28.256 12 J Winkelhock Ger BMW 1:28.266HONG KONG-BEIJING RALLY:- Britain's Richard Burns was lying third overall after the first day of the gruelling seven-leg 26-stage rally. Burns, driving a Subaru Impreza 555 in his return to the Asia-Pacific series replacing absent Colin McRae, said he ha d planned a steady start. "It is great to be in a competitive car again after a three-month break," said Burns, joint fastest on stage 1. Forty-four drivers left the start in Hong Kong. They crossed into China for a wet gravel stage at Nam Kwan Mountain f eaturing sheer drops and rock faces. They move to rural China on Sunday.
LEADERS AFTER DAY ONE (2 stages):mins secs 1 Eriksson/Parmander Mitsubishi 15:44 2 Vatanen/Pons Mitsubishi 15:54 3 Burns/Reid Subaru 16:04 4 Bourne/Sircombe Subaru 16:19 5 Fujimoto/Hertz Toyota 17:16TOUR OF MULL RALLY:- Six times winner Neil MacKinnon saw his hopes of another victory suffer a major setback when he crashed on the opening stage of the second leg. MacKinnon had moved ahead with early leader Calum Duffy stopping with clutch failure on th e same stage. Third-placed Eddie O'Donnell was also in trouble, damaging his steering in an incident. Yorkshire's Billy Bird led at the end of the second leg but MacKinnon was still in touch, back in fourth but only 18 seconds off the pace. Also out on da y two were John Shirley, Stuart Egglestone and Dave Miller.
LEADERBOARD AT END OF LEG TWO (after 16 of 21 stages): hr mins secs 1 B Bird/P Pulleyn Vauxhall 2:01:20 2 R Thompson/R Smith Nissan 2:01:28 3 M Shiel/G Shiel Vauxhall 2:01:34 4 MacKinnon/Stayte Escort 2:01:38 5 G Boyd/S Boyles Escort 2:02:42 6 Carless/Forrester Escort 2:05:56 7 S Davies/S Proud Escort 2:07:00 8 O'Donnell/O'Donnell Escort 2:07:45 9 D Harper/L Reger R'r Mini 2:08:08 10 D Brown/F McLean Sunbeam 2:08:39 15.10.95TOURING CAR WORLD CUP:- Audi ace Frank Biela of Germany claimed the World Cup title with a win and second place in two highly-competitive races at Paul Ricard in France. The team then announced that Biela will compete in the 1996 British Touring Car races , the first time the four-wheel-drive Audis have entered this series. Italian champion Emanuele Pirro started from pole in his Audi in both races but went off in the first, finishing back in seventh, before winning the second. Britain's Steve Soper led a strong BMW challenging, finishing runner-up and then third in his rear-wheel-drive car.
British Touring Car champion John Cleland spun in both World Cup races as he found the going tough in his front-wheel-drive Vauxhall. Cleland always faced an uphill struggle against the four-wheel-drive Audis and rear-wheel-drive BMWs around the Paul R icard circuit. An incident involving Roberto Ravaglia saw Cleland spinning in the first race, dropping him from 10th to 35th from which he fought back to 16th. "It was great fun charging up the field," said the Scot, who spun out in race two after clashin g with Will Hoy.
Result of first race at Paul Ricard: mins secs 1 F Biela Ger Audi 39:02.263 2 S Soper GB BMW 39:07.174 3 Y Muller Fr BMW 39:16.472 4 J Cecotto Ven BMW 39:19.928 5 H Stuck Aut Audi 39:20.331 6 K Burt GB Ford 39:27.397 7 E Pirro It Audi 39:29.537 8 J Winkelhock Ger BMW 39:35.048 9 D Brabham Aus BMW 39:35.644 10 R Rydell Swe Volvo 39:50.262 Result of second race at Paul Ricard: mins secs 1 E Pirro It Audi 39:11.167 2 F Biela Ger Audi 3 S Soper GB BMW 4 Y Muller Fr BMW 5 A Menu Swi Renault 6 J Cecotto Ven BMW 7 R Capello It Audi 8 K Niedzwiedz Ger Honda 9 A Hahne Ger Honda 10 A Reid GB Vauxhall Final FIA Touring Car World Cup points: 1 F Biela Ger Audi 70 pts 2 E Pirro It Audi 54 3 S Soper GB BMW 54 4 Y Muller Fr BMW 44 5 J Cecotto Ven BMW 35 6 K Burt GB Ford 23 Manufacturers: 1 Audi 126 pts 2 BMW 98 3 Honda 44 4 Ford 36 5 Vauxhall 26 6 Renault 23F3:- Oliver Gavin has won the British F3 Championship title in a tense final round at Thruxton on Sunday afternoon. Gavin, qualifying third well ahead of his main rival Ralph Firman, needed only to maintain his position to the chequered flag after learnin g that Firman had made a poor start. "After finishing runner-up in '93, I was taking a gamble coming back to F3," said the Bedford-based driver. "Only now I can relax and say it paid off." Firman struggled home in seventh to claim runner-up spot in the se ries. The race was won by Warren Hughes.
Result of F3 race at Thruxton:mins secs 1 W Hughes Mitsubishi 23:51.17 2 J Davies Mugen Honda 23:55.41 3 O Gavin Vauxhall 23:57.24 4 G Salles Mugen Honda 23:57.71 5 J Dufour Mugen Honda 23:59.23 6 H Castro Neves Mugen Honda 24:02.28 7 R Firman Mugen Honda 24:06.05 8 L Garcia jnr Mugen Honda 24:11.26 9 G Rodrigues Mitsubishi 24:11.67 10 J Matthews Mugen Honda 24:15.99 Final Championship points (18 rounds): 1 Oliver Gavin 184 points 2 Ralph Firman 176 3 Helio Castro Neves 169 4 Warren Hughes 158HONG KONG-BEIJING RALLY:- Britain's Richard Burns spun on his Subaru on stage two of day two to slip to fourth place overall but remained in contention in the seven-day event. Swede Kenneth Eriksson, chasing victorx to clinch the Asia Pacific title, led b y 21 seconds at the end of leg two from Mitsubishi teammate Ari Vatanen. Burns' teammate Possum Bourne is third 1 min 37 secs adrift of the leader. "There was a very slippery concrete section in the middle of a gravel stage and I was caught out," explaine d Burns. "Overall I am encouraged. We are on the pace and times will get quicker."
LEADERS AT THE END OF DAY TWO: (ss6) mins secs 1 Eriksson/Parmander Mitsubishi 1:09:17 2 Vatanen/Pons Mitsubishi 1:09:38 3 Bourne/Sircombe Subaru 1:10:54 4 Burns/Reid Subaru 1:13:11 5 Fujimoto/Hertz Toyota 1:15:17 6 Shinozuka/Kuukkala Mitsubishi 1:15:50 7 Lieu/Osawa Mitsubishi 1:16:18 8 Singh/ Proton 1:17:14 9 Tajima/Stacey Suzuki 1:19:06 10 Xian/Shan Subaru 1:21.37TOUR OF MULL RALLY:- Neil MacKinnon staged a dramatic comeback to score an historic seventh win in Britain's longest and toughest clubman's rally. MacKinnon had slipped from first to fourth after crashing on the second leg but capitalised on the final leg when heavy rain turned the dry roads into skating rinks. The local star was five seconds behind Billy Bird with two stages of the 180-mile event remaining but the Yorkshireman spun losing vital seconds. Michael Shiel put in a late charge to snatch third spot from Richard Thompson.
LEADERBOARD AT END OF LEG THREE (after 21 stages): hr mins secs 1 N MacKinnon/M St'te Escort 2:57:58 2 B Bird/P Pulleyn Vauxhall 2:59:09 3 R Thompson/R Smith Nissan 2:59:29 4 M Shiel/G Shiel Vauxhall 3:02:17 5 G Boyd/S Boyles Escort 3:02:31 6 D Carless/P F'ester Escort 3:04:38 7 S Davies/S Proud Escort 3:06:33 8 O'Donnell/O'Donnell Escort 3:10:52 9 D Harper/L Reger R'r Mini 3:10:58 10 D Brown/F McLean Sunbeam 3:11:05 FIA Formula 3000 European Championship -------------------------M A G N Y - C O U R S------------------------ Pos Driver Car Time ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Kenny Brack/S Reynard-Zytec-Judd 1'08:59.65 2 Marc Goossens/B Lola-Cosworth + 8.50 3 Jean-Phillipe Belloc/F Reynard-Cosworth 14.99 4 Vincenzo Sospiri/I Reynard-Cosworth 15.17 5 Emmanuel Clerico/F Reynard-Cosworth 15.89 6 Christian Pescatori/I Reynard-Cosworth 30.37 7 Alan McNish/GB Reynard-Cosworth 33.09 8 Marcos Gueiros/BR Reynard-Zytec-Judd 38.03 9 Thomas Biaga/I Reynard-Cosworth 1:24.96 10 Marco Campos/BR Reynard-Zytec-Judd - 1 lap 11 Didier Cottaz/F Reynard-Cosworth - 1 lap 12 Stephen Watson/ZA Reynard-Cosworth - 1 lap 13 Garry Formato/ZA Reynard-Cosworth - 1 lap 14 Christophe Tinseau/F Reynard-Zytec-Judd - 1 lap 15 Severino Nardozi/I Reynard-Zytec-Judd - 1 lap 16 Marc Rostan/F Reynard-Cosworth - 2 laps FL: Tarso Marques/BR Reynard-Cosworth 1:26.88 ----------FINAL STANDINGS---------- Pos Driver Pts ----------------------------------- 1 Vincenzo Sospiri/I 42 2 Ricardo Rosset/BR 29 3 Kenny Brack/S 24 Marc Goossens/B 24 5 Emmanuel Clerico/F 15 Tarso Marques/BR 15 7 Alan McNish/GB 11 8 Guillaume Gomez/F 8 9 Christian Pescatori/I 7 10 Jean-Phillipe Belloc/F 6 Christophe Bouchut/F 6 12 Jerome Policand/F 4 13 Fabrizio de Simone/I 2 Marcos Gueiros/BR 2 15 Didier Cottaz/F 1 Christophe Tinseau/F 1 16.10.95F1:- Mika Hakkinen will miss this weekend's Pacific Grand Prix in Japan after having his appendix removed. The Finn underwent surgery on Sunday and will not be fit in time to take his place in the McLaren Mercedes team at the Aida circuit. His place goes to Dane Jan Magnussen, the team's test driver, who will be making his GP debut. The 22-year-old won 14 out of 18 races to take the 1994 British Formula Three title and has been racing in the German Touring Car series this year.
F3000:- Brazilian driver Marco Campos has been declared "clinically dead" following a crash during a weekend Formula 3000 race in France. The 19-year-old suffered severe head injuries in a crash on the final lap of the race at Magny Cours.
HONG KONG-BEIJING RALLY:- Richard Burns starred on the third day with three fastest times and one second fastest during the five stages run. Only an overshoot at a junction on the final stage prevented him scoring a fourth fastest time. The Subaru driver is still in fourth, just over four minutes behind Swedish leader Kenneth Erikkson and matching the pace of the leading Mitsubishi. "It's a long rally and we are now putting pressure on the front runners to try and take advantage if they make an error," sa id Burns. "The car is going well and I'm driving hard."
Leaders after leg three: mins secs 1 Eriksson/Parmander Mitsubishi 2:06:29 2 Vatanen/Pons Mitsubishi 2:07:41 3 Bourne/Sircombe Subaru 2:08:69 4 Burns/Reid Subaru 2:10:33 5 Fujimoto/Hertz Toyota 2:15:34 6 Shinozuka/Kuukkala Mitsubishi 2:16:52 7 Lieu/Osawa Mitsubishi 2:17:25 8 Tajima/Stacey Suzuki 2:23:01 9 Xian/Shan Subaru 2:25.48 10 Bell/Stewart Hyundai 2:30:01 17.10.95F1:- The French Grand Prix looks likely to switch back from Magny-Cours to Paul Ricard from 1997, which last hosted the race in 1990. French chief Jean-Marie Balestre said a decision about the race's future would be delayed until December 11.
Yamaha has revealed an all-new V10 engine for 1996, which is both smaller and lighter than the current Judd derived unit. The OX11A will be used exclusively by Tyrrell in 1996.
HONG KONG-BEIJING RALLY Leaders after day four: mins secs 1 Eriksson/Parmander Mitsubishi 2:40:31 2 Vatanen/Pons Mitsubishi 2:41:14 3 Bourne/Sircombe Subaru 2:43:48 4 Burns/Reid Subaru 2:44:42 5 Fujimoto/Hertz Toyota 2:51:34 6 Shinozuka/Kuukkala Mitsubishi 2:52:40 7 Lieu/Osawa Mitsubishi 2:54:22 8 Tajima/Stacey Suzuki 3:02:38 9 Xian/Shan Subaru 3:06.03 10 Bell/Stewart Hyundai 3:09:23British driver Richard Burns has closed the gap on race leader Kenneth Eriksson at the halfway stage. The Subaru driver improved but was unable to improve on his fourth position by the end of day four. He made a brilliant comeback by winning three of yest erday's five special stages after a disastrous spin cost him dearly on day two. "I am driving fast but not taking unnecessary risks," said Burns. "We can't hope to pull back the time we lost early on but we can put pressure on and hope other teams have pr oblems."
18.10.95F1: JOHN WATSON PREVIEWS THE PACIFIC GP
The Pacific GP at Aida looks set to be an anti-climax with the drivers' championship virtually safe in Michael Schumacher's hands for another year. It should be the race where he finally seals his second successive title as a win would put Damon Hill's as pirations finally out of reach. In fact whatever permutation of places you care to calculate the fact is that Schumacher needs a four-point gap over Hill this weekend to retain his crown. However the race still offers chances to everybody to win, improve or at least consolidate their positions.
Benetton-Renault have been testing since their last Grand Prix victory. Despite Michael Schumacher's recent accident at Imola, his driving and commitment are examples of the art and craft of winning a motor race. Even with his impending departure, Bene tton are still seeking improvements in their car, especially within the suspension, to try to get on a par with the dominant Williams FW17B chassis. The sole reason Benetton are working so hard is that they also want to win the constructors title which Wi lliams have bagged for the last three years.
Williams know that victory in the drivers and constructors championship should have been theirs in 1995 if all their opportunities had been realised. Looking forward to 1996 I anticipate winning either title will be even more difficult than this year. McLaren/Mercedes-Benz are still chasing the right 'mix-and-match' for the recalcitrant MP 4/10. My understanding is they will run the car with the 'B spec mods' in the final three races. With Mika Hakkinen hospitalised, Dane Jan Magnussen steps up from te am tester to GP racer, a tall order for anybody.
There is no doubt that the constructors championship is every bit as important to the teams as the drivers title. The battle between McLaren, Jordan, Sauber and Ligier to be the fourth of the top four teams will be of primary importance. Position equal s reward. It will be no surprise this weekend to see Jordan and Sauber fighting McLaren for points or even a podium place. The key characteristics of Aida is its tightness, literally a matchbox size circuit. Maximum downforce will outweigh other technical considerations.
Ligier-Mugen driver Martin Brundle will drive this weekend in Aida though his team-mate may well be Aguri Suzuki and not the usual Olivier Panis. In fact there will be more Japanese drivers present than usual with Ukyo Katayama returning to Tyrrell Yam aha fit after his Portuguese GP shunt. Unknown Katsumi Yamamoto steps in to a Pacific Ford though how he qualifies for his FIA Super Licence, mandatory to be a GP driver, begs an answer. I really hope that this rent-a-driver will not be overwhelmed by mak ing his GP debut in his homeland.
Aida's many corners can frustrate drivers and may lead to inevitable contact as in the first lap last year. That GP was held in the springtime but due to the tragedy surrounding the Kobe earthquake we now have an autumn date. That means it is likely to be wet which will not please the drivers but, sorry guys, these conditions have given us some exciting races this year. Do not forget your job descriptions: have entertainer as well as racing driver as your profession so get out there and strut your stuf f.
HONG KONG-BEIJING RALLY:- Britain's Richard Burns narrowed the gap on leader Kenneth Eriksson by almost half a minute as the surviving 28 cars covered 137km on day five. Burns was fastest on one stage and second on the other four en route to the central C hinese city of Zheng Zhou but remains fourth overall.. "It's very difficult to refocus your concentration for the stages after the long road sections. You have to focus purely on what's in the windscreen and what your co-driver is saying. Nothing else sh ould come in the way," he commented.
Latest position after 21 stages: mins secs 1 Eriksson/Parmander Mitsubishi 4:00:02 2 Vatanen/Pons Mitsubishi 4:00:42 3 Bourne/Sircombe Subaru 4:03:33 4 Burns/Reid Subaru 4:03:45 5 Fujimoto/Hertz Toyota 4:14:21 6 Shinozuka/Kuukkala Mitsubishi 4:17:00 7 Lieu/Osawa Mitsubishi 4:20:47 8 Tajima/Stacey Suzuki 4:33:44 9 Singh Proton 4:38:16 10 Xian/Shan Subaru 4:38.22 19.10.95 F1 CALENDAR FOR 1996 (* = to be confirmed) March 10 Australia Melbourne March 31 Brazil Sao Paulo April 7 Argentina Buenos Aires * May 5 San Marino Imola May 19 Monaco Monte Carlo June 2 Spain Barcelona June 16 Canada Montreal June 30 France Magny-Cours July 14 Britain Silverstone July 28 Germany Hockenheim August 11 Hungary Budapest August 25 Belgium Spa-Francorchamps Sept 8 Italy Monza Sept 22 Portugal Estoril * Note: Dates for the Pacific and Japanese GP to be decided. Portuguese GP subject to building work.HONG KONG-BEIJING RALLY:- Richard Burns set another fastest time on Thursday to climb to third and close the gap on leader Kenneth Eriksson. "I set out wanting to claim third place and I enjoyed the opening Grand Canyon stage," Burns said. "I now aim to b e fastest on Friday's final two stages." The 27 surviving competitors have only one day left before the finish in Tiananmen Square. The final stage has a lengthy road section before the spectacular final stages at the Great Wall and the Ming Tombs both on Beijing's outskirts.
Latest position after day six: mins secs 1 Eriksson/Parmander Mitsubishi 4:31:52 2 Vatanen/Pons Mitsubishi 4:32:27 3 Burns/Reid Subaru 4:35:21 4 Bourne/Sircombe Subaru 4:36:23 5 Fujimoto/Hertz Toyota 4:48:14 6 Shinozuka/Kuukkala Mitsubishi 4:51:43 7 Lieu/Osawa Mitsubishi 4:55:13 8 Tajima/Stacey Suzuki 5:10:01 9 Singh Proton 5:12:21 10 Xian/Shan Subaru 5:14.35 20.10.95F1: THE PACIFIC GP
David Coulthard produced a late burst to claim provisional pole for Sunday's race in Japan. The Williams driver pipped Michael Schumacher for top spot on his penultimate qualifying lap with a time of one minute, 14.192 seconds. Coulthard's Williams collea gue Damon Hill then pushed Schumacher into third place with a time just 0.10 seconds slower than the Scot. Schumacher had held provisional pole throughout the session. Johnny Herbert came sixth, Mark Blundell seventh and Eddie Irvine eighth.
David Coulthard slammed the Japanese circuit after claiming provisional pole for Sunday's race. It was Coulthard's first appearance at Aida but he said: "This is the dustiest track of any we have raced on. Argentina was dusty, but if you ran wide you w ere on grass or a kerb. Here if you run wide you are on dust and I have ruined one of my race tyres." Damon Hill has to hope Michael Schumacher fails to collect the three points he needs to win the title and he said: "My goal is to win. Whatever happens t o Michael is out of my hands."
Friday's qualifying times: mins secs 1 D Coulthard GB Williams 1:14.182 2 D Hill GB Williams 1:14.289 3 M Schumacher Ger Benetton 1:14.524 4 J Alesi Fr Ferrari 1:14.919 5 G Berger Aut Ferrari 1:14.974 6 J Herbert GB Benetton 1:15.561 7 M Blundell GB McLaren 1:15.652 8 E Irvine GB Jordan 1:15.696 9 H Frentzen Ger Sauber 1:15.942 10 R Barrichello Brz Jordan 1:16.263 11 J Magnussen Den McLaren 1:16.339 12 J Boullion Fr Sauber 1:16.646 13 A Suzuki Jpn Ligier 1:17.019 14 O Panis Fr Ligier 1:17.071 15 M Salo Fin Tyrrell 1:17.213 16 P Lamy Por Minardi 1:17.224 17 U Katayama Jpn Tyrrell 1:17.265 18 L Badoer It Minardi 1:17.612 19 G Morbidelli It Footwork 1:18.288 20 T Inoue Jpn Footwork 1:19.471 21 R Moreno Brz Forti 1:19.745 22 P Diniz Brz Forti 1:20.555 23 A Montermini It Pacific 1:22.096 24 B Gachot Fr Pacific 1:22.710Formula One chiefs have announced the provisional schedule for 1996 - and have made immediate changes in a bid to stop clashes on the track. More stringent rules will be in place starting with Sunday's Pacific Grand Prix at Aida. The FIA said "drivers are free to drive as they wish provided they do not deliberately endanger another driver or repeatedly obstruct him on a straight." Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill have clashed several times during this year's Championship.
HONG KONG-BEIJING RALLY:- Richard Burns and co-driver Robert Reid finished third in the gruelling race which was won by Kenneth Eriksson and Staffan Parmander. The Swedish duo clinched victory in the final morning stage before reaching Tiananmen Square an d sealed the Asia-Pacific Championship title as well. Burns said: "This is a unique event and is as much about the battle to get the car from Hong Kong to Beijing as it is about being fastest on the stages." Only 27 of the 44 starters reached the finish o f the 3,700km journey.
Final results: mins secs 1 Eriksson/Parmander Mitsubishi 4:39:28 2 Vatanen/Pons Mitsubishi 4:40:04 3 Burns/Reid Subaru 4:42:42 4 Bourne/Sircombe Subaru 4:44:38 5 Fujimoto/Hertz Toyota 4:56:13 6 Shinozuka/Kuukkala Mitsubishi 4:59:43 7 Lieu/Osawa Mitsubishi 5:03:16 8 Tajima/Stacey Suzuki 5:18:28 9 Singh Proton 5:20:27 10 Xian/Shan Subaru 5:23.07 Rally is fifth round of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship. 21.10.95F1: THE PACIFIC GP
David Coulthard continued his brilliant qualifying form by clinching pole for Sunday's 53-lap race. He clocked 1 min 14.013 secs in his Williams Renault to pip teammate Damon Hill by just 0.032 secs. Defending champion Michael Schumacher had to settle for third place on the grid despite being within three-tenths of a second of Coulthard's time. His best lap was 1:14.284 but he has the comfort of knowing that fourth place in the race will be good enough to make sure of a second title before he leaves Benet ton for Ferrari.
In-form Scot David Coulthard set his sights on his second GP victory after securing pole position for the fourth successive race. "I've put myself in a good position and now I need to make sure I start the race in my car, not the spare one. Pole positi on means a lot here because Aida is such a tight circuit and it is so difficult to overtake," said the 24-year-old from Twynholm. Williams teammate Damon Hill was second fastest and said: "I've just go to concentrate on winning. I can't affect what happe ns to Michael (Schumacher)."
Final qualifying times: mins secs 1 D Coulthard GB Williams 1:14.013 2 D Hill GB Williams 1:14.213 3 M Schumacher Ger Benetton 1:14.284 4 J Alesi Fr Ferrari 1:14.919 5 G Berger Aut Ferrari 1:14.974 6 E Irvine GB Jordan 1:15.354 7 J Herbert GB Benetton 1:15.556 8 H Frentzen Ger Sauber 1:15.561 9 O Panis Fr Ligier 1:15.621 7 M Blundell GB McLaren 1:15.652 11 R Barrichello Br Jordan 1:15.774 12 J Magnussen Den McLaren 1:16.339 13 A Suzuki Jpn Ligier 1:16.519 14 P Lamy Por Minardi 1:16.596 15 J Boullion Fr Sauber 1:16.646 16 L Badoer It Minardi 1:16.887 17 U Katayama Jpn Tyrrell 1:17.014 18 M Salo Fin Tyrrell 1:17.213 19 G Morbidelli It Footwork 1:18.114 20 T Inoue Jpn Footwork 1:18.212 21 P Diniz Brz Forti 1:19.579 22 R Moreno Brz Forti 1:19.745 23 A Montermini It Pacific 1:20.093 24 B Gachot Fr Pacific 1:21.405CATALUNYA RALLY:- Scot Colin McRae will be looking for another good finish to keep alive his hopes of winning the world rally crown. The 555 Subaru star trails Toyota driver Juha Kankkunen by just seven points going into the penultimate round with the tit le to be decided at the Network Q RAC Rally in November. Francois Delecour, winner in Spain two years ago, is confident of a repeat success in his RAS Ford Escort Cosworth with his car well suited to the three-day all-tarmac event starting Monday. Among t he other contenders should be teammate Bruno Thiry also in an Escort.
MIDLAND RALLY:- Chris Mellors held off a determined challenge from David Gillanders to win the Midland Rally by 48 seconds and retain the Mintex National Rally crown. Murray Grierson, who looked set for the title when he led overnight, rolled out of the e vent in Dyfi Forest while Gillanders was runner-up in the series for the second consecutive year.
HILL RALLYING:- Tim Marsh and Chris Lawther won the Superwinch Hillrally, Britain's top 4wd off-road event, by a convincing margin of 4 minutes 8 seconds. Bruce Tigwell and Peter Gorman took second place with a 4:20 gap to third.
F3:- Owen McAuley grabbed pole position for Sunday's International F3 Cup race at Donington Park, edging out debutant Juan Pablo Montoya of Colombia. Jason Elliott, hoping to rekindle his racing career, qualified a strong third for the one-off race which features a top class field and œ10,000 prize money. P aula Cook was also impressive, setting the sixth best time overall to lead the Class B category in her year-old car.
22.10.95F1: THE PACIFIC GP
Michael Schumacher produced a brilliant drive to claim victory in Japan and clinch a second Formula One world title. Schumacher was locked in a battle with David Coulthard throughout the race but the times at the pit-stops decided it. Coulthard earned his fourth second place of the season while Damon Hill was third, leaving the battle for the runners-up spot still wide open. Schumacher's victory made him only the sixth driver in the 46-year history of the World Championship to win the title in consecutive years.
Michael Schumacher's rapid pit-stops were the key factor in the victory that sealed his World Championship success. David Coulthard had led all the way in a confident display but Schumacher moved ahead when the Scot made a pit-stop on the 51st lap. Sch umacher had already forged ahead of Jean Alesi and Damon Hill when he was first out of the pits after the trio had all gone in together on lap 18. The champion had only needed three points from the race to clinch the title but his performance showed how d etermined he was to win it in style.
Michael Schumacher needs to win one of this season's remaining two races to equal Nigel Mansell's 1992 record after his success in Japan. His victory in Aida was his eighth of the season to put him in sight of Mansell's nine wins three years ago. This year's championship will feature 17 races instead of the usual 16 and he will beat Mansell's mark if he wins in both Japan and Australia. His Benetton team hope to clinch a double success by also claiming the constructors title.
Michael Schumacher said he was pleased to have taken the Championship with a victory after his win in Japan. "It is a beautiful feeling to win the Championship especially by doing it in this way though I will need time for it to sink in and to celebrat e," he said. Schumacher paid tribute to Benetton. "They have done a special job all the way through the season and a large part of the title has come from the team. I am looking forward to the last two races now because I am free and they will be entertai ning."
David Coulthard said slow back-markers hampered his bid for victory after he finished second to Michael Schumacher. "I do not like complaining about traffic but it was not particularly kind to me," he said. "I was stuck behind some of them for eight la ps and they could have allowed me to pass. It was disappointing because I had a good opportunity after opening up a big gap over Michael but once he took the lead after his pit-stop I had no chance of catching him with old tyres."
Damon Hill never looked likely to stop Michael Schumacher claiming his second successive world title in Japan. Hill was the German's only remaining challenger for the title but although he held him off on a tight bend on the 18th lap, Schumacher powere d to victory. Hill was involved in a controversial incident with Eddie Irvine when his front wheel brushed the back of the Irishman's Jordan. Hill came off worse as his wing was slightly damaged and the mechanics had to tape it up at a pit-stop.
Damon Hill was in reflective mood after seeing Michael Schumacher retain the title and dash his hopes once again. "I am obviously disappointed but I tried my best and it was just the way the dice rolled here," he said after finishing third. "I have got to start thinking about next year now but also about this season's final two races. It would be nice to get two victories in those and it would be great for the team to have a Williams one-two in both of them."
Result after 83 laps: hr:min:sec 1 M Schumacher Ger Benetton 1:48.49 2 D Coulthard GB Williams 1:49.04 3 D Hill GB Williams 1:49.38 4 G Berger Aut Ferrari @ 1 lap 5 J Alesi Fr Ferrari @ 1 lap 6 J Herbert GB Benetton @ 1 lap 7 H Frentzen Ger Sauber @ 1 lap 8 O Panis Fr Ligier @ 2 laps 9 M Blundell GB McLaren @ 2 laps 10 J Magnussen Den McLaren @ 2 laps 11 E Irvine GB Jordan @ 2 laps 12 M Salo Fin Tyrrell @ 3 laps 13 P Lamy Por Minardi @ 3 laps 14 U Katayama Jpn Tyrrell @ 3 laps 15 L Badoer It Minardi @ 3 laps 16 R Moreno Brz Forti @ 5 laps 17 P Diniz Brz Forti @ 6 laps Retirements R Barrichello Brz Jordan (lap 67) G Morbidelli It Footwork (lap 53) T Inoue Jpn Footwork (lap 38) A Montermini It Pacific (lap 14) A Suzuki Jpn Ligier (lap 10) J Boullion Fr Sauber (lap 7) B Gachot Fr Pacific (lap 2) DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS 1 M Schumacher Ger Benetton 92 pts, wins title 2 D Hill GB Williams 59 3 D Coulthard GB Williams 49 4 J Alesi Fr Ferrari 42 5 J Herbert GB Benetton 41 6 G Berger Aut Ferrari 31 7 H Frentzen Ger Sauber 15 8 R Barrichello Brz Jordan 11 = M Hakkinen Fin McLaren 11 10 M Blundell GB McLaren 10 11 O Panis Fr Ligier 8 12 M Brundle GB Ligier 7 == E Irvine GB Jordan 7 14 J-C Boullion Fr Sauber 3 15 M Salo Fin Tyrrell 2 CONSTRUCTORS' CHAMPIONSHIP: 1 Benetton 123 points 2 Williams 102 3 Ferrari 73 4 McLaren 21 5 Jordan 18 = Sauber 18 7 Ligier 16 8 Tyrrell 2 9 Footwork 1F.VAUXHALL JUNIOR:- Ireland's Damien Faulkner has won the Formula Vauxhall Junior winter series race, ahead of Richard Tarling and Alberto Jacobsen, at Donington Park.
F.VAUXHALL:- Marc Hynes, the Formula Vauxhall Junior champion made a successful move up to Formula Vauxhall when he won the winter series race at Donington Park. He led throughout the race which was halted after a fierce battle behind him ended with Japan 's Hiroshi Sakai going off but claiming runner-up spot after the red flags came out.
FF1600:- Irishman Kevin McGarrity edged past Italian Giorgio Vinella on the sixth of 20 laps and held off strong challenges from Swift teammates Bas Leinders and Miku Santavirta to win the Duckhams Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch.
24.10.95 - CATALUNYA RALLYColin McRae's world title hopes were dramatically resurrected as rally leader Juha Kankkunen crashed out on Stage 16 of the Catalunya Rally. The four-time world champion had dominated the rally from the early stages, winning eight of the first 15 tests. M cRae is now in second place just eight seconds behind Carlos Sainz with just the final day to come. The two Subaru drivers head the Toyota of reigning champ Didier Auriol by just under a minute.
Positions after 17 of 23 stages: (end of day two) hrs mins secs 1 C Sainz Sp Subaru 3:43.56 2 C McRae GB Subaru 3:44.04 3 D Auriol Fr Toyota 3:44.48 4 P Liatti It Subaru 3:45.46 5 T Makinen Fin Mitsubishi 3:46.02 6 F Delecour Fr Ford 3:46.25 7 A Aghini It Mitsubishi 3:46.27 8 G Trelles Uru Toyota 3:48.55 9 O Gomez Sp Renault 3:53.03 10 A Navarra It Toyota 3:55.48 Kankkunen crashed out on stage 16. 25.10.95 - CATALUNYA RALLYColin McRae intentionally picked up a road penalty to hand victory in the Catalunya rally to his Subaru teammate Carlos Sainz. The Scotsman finished nine seconds ahead of the Spaniard on special stage times but had to follow team orders and let Sainz take the victory. Both drivers will now go to the final round of the World Championships, the Network Q RAC Rally at Chester, level on 70 points. Finland's Juha Kankunnen is just eight points adrift with Frenchman Didier Auriol on 61.
Colin McRae was quite happy to let Spanish teammate Carlos Sainz win his home rally at Catalunya. The Subaru pair agreed on Tuesday night not to battle for victory over the rally's final six stages. "It made sense," said the Scotsman. "If we'd fought b etween ourselves for first place one of us may well have pushed a little too hard. We could well have lost some very valuable points in the manufacturers' championship. As it is Carlos and I now head for the final round on equal points," added McRae.
Positions after 23 special stages: hrs mins secs 1 C Sainz Sp Subaru 5:05.58 2 C McRae GB Subaru 5:06.49 3 P Liatti It Subaru 5:07.56 4 D Auriol Fr Toyota 5:08.20 5 F Delecour Fr Ford 5:08.38 6 A Aghini It Mitsubishi 5:08.52 7 G Trelles Uru Toyota 5:11.54 8 O Gomez Sp Renault 5:18.01 9 A Navarra It Toyota 5:18.20 10 J Bassas Sp BMW 5:28.06 McRae intentionally picked up road penalty to hand victory to Sainz. Driver's standings: 1 C McRae GB Subaru 70 pts = C Sainz Sp Subaru 70 3 J Kankkunen Fin Toyota 62 4 D Auriol Fr Toyota 61 5 K Eriksson Swe Mitsubishi 48 Manufacturers' standings: 1 Subaru 286 pts 2 Mitsubishi 285 3 Toyota 281 4 Ford 202 Final round: Network Q RAC Rally starting at Chester on November 19 26.10.95 F1: JOHN WATSON PREVIEWS THE JAPANESE GP
Congratulations to Michael Schumacher on his consecutive world titles. He's a rightful and worthy champion this year. Schumacher is by far the outstanding driver in Formula One presently. His car was often inferior to that of his rivals but his skill, com bined with an outstanding pit strategy from the Benetton team, gave him the results. Schumacher does not just race to lead, he drives to win, which is a big difference. The last two GPs have been text book examples of how to win races and he is to be warm ly congratulated.
Damon Hill sought clarification over the overtaking rules and this was released by the FIA last week.It has proved to be as clear as mud! It has effectively been left to a driver to interpret the rule as he sees fit - and be penalised if he gets it wro ng. Hill tried to use the rule to his advantage at the start of the race in Aida but his attempt to bully Michael Schumacher was clumsy and only highlighted a lack of racing 'nous'. Even his effort to pass Jean Alesi later in the race failed due to a lack of a fundamental racing head.
Damon Hill suffered from mechanical unreliability early in the season but, from the British GP onwards, his problems were largely self-inflicted. There were four occasions when he threw away 40 potential points. Hill has commented on the Williams team' s inability to read a race as well as Benetton do but that is by no means the whole story. Equally important has been Michael Schumacher's contribution. Team work and strategy apart, at the end of the day it is the relationship between team and driver whi ch makes the Benetton partnership so effective.
Everyone moves to Suzuka this weekend for a 53-lap race around one of the most demanding but popular circuits on the Formula One calendar. It is physically tough with a very grippy surface and a sequence of medium fast corners which wrench the neck. It is a medium downforce circuit for Williams but high d ownforce for a team like Pacific and, on paper, should suit the Williams down to a 'W'! Last year Damon Hill won magnificently in the rain. I wonder what a year on will bring, especially now the world title has gone to Michael Schumacher.
Damon Hill badly needs a win in Suzuka this weekend to re-establish his reputation which has suffered of late. He is set to be Williams team leader next year and victory would be timely reassurance to Frank Williams and Patrick Head as they begin to pr epare for next season. He will also be all too aware that his second place in the Championship is under threat from his teammate David Coulthard, now just 10 points adrift. It would be a bitter end to the season if his departing teammate should snatch thi s position from him.
David Coulthard has nothing to lose by beating his teammate Damon Hill this weekend and he stands to gain the World Championship runner-up spot. He has shown tremendous qualifying form in the past four GPs and will be keen to make it five in a row. His only handicap is that he has not raced in a F1 car on this technical and demanding circuit and, while learning the rhythm of the track, may find it more difficult to claim pole position. However, with his move to McLaren next year, he will see second pla ce as a good credential to take to his new team.
Suzuka will see the return to F1 of Austrian Karl Wendlinger in the Red Bull Sauber Ford, after an encouraging test session last week in Italy. Jean-Christophe Bouillon, who had replaced him in the Sauber, reverts to being a Williams test driver once a gain. Wendlinger had a difficult time when he first returned to GP racing after a long absence due to head injuries suffered at Monaco in 1994. His return at the start of the season was definitely premature. Let us hope this time the team and Wendlinger's judgement is proved to be sound.
Mika Hakkinen is in Japan where, having been given the medical go-ahead from Prof Sid Watkins, hopes to be able to compete this weekend. Team test driver Jan Magnussen stepped in at Aida and greatly impressed everyone - which may also account for Hakki nen's extremely rapid recovery from surgery to remove his appendix. McLaren certainly need him fully fit as they battle to retain fourth place in the manufacturers' championship, under threat from Sauber, Jordan and Ligier. Meanwhile the duel between Bene tton and Williams for top honours intensifies.
RALLYING:- Didier Auriol has been disqualified from the Rally of Catalunya after the stewards found his turbocharger did not comply with regulations. The decision has effectively ended the Frenchman's bid for the World title as he would need to win the Ne twork Q RAC rally with his rivals failing to finish. The Toyota driver had finished in fourth place but his exclusion means he is still on 51 points, 19 adrift of Colin McRae and Carlos Sainz. The revised manufacturers' standings leaves Toyota third on 26 0, 28 adrift of Mitsubishi and 26 behind Subaru.
Driver's standings: 1 C McRae GB Subaru 70 pts = C Sainz Sp Subaru 70 3 J Kankkunen Fin Toyota 62 4 D Auriol Fr Toyota 51 5 K Eriksson Swe Mitsubishi 48 Manufacturers' standings: 1 Mitsubishi 288 pts 2 Subaru 286 3 Toyota 260 4 Ford 205 Final round: Network Q RAC Rally starting at Chester on November 19. 27.10.95 F1: THE JAPANESE GP Friday's qualifying times: mins secs 1 M Schumacher Ger Benetton 1:38.428 2 D Hill GB Williams 1:39.032 3 M Hakkinen Fin McLaren 1:39.127 4 J Alesi Fr Ferrari 1:39.142 5 D Coulthard GB Williams 1:39.155 6 H Frentzen Ger Sauber 1:40.010 7 E Irvine GB Jordan 1:40.153 8 G Berger Aut Ferrari 1:40.305 9 J Herbert GB Benetton 1:40.349 10 R Barrichello Brz Jordan 1:40.381 11 O Panis Fr Ligier 1:40.838 12 M Salo Fin Tyrrell 1:41.355 13 U Katayama Jpn Tyrrell 1:41.977 14 A Suzuki Jpn Ligier 1:42.561 15 G Morbidelli It Footwork 1:42.623 16 P Lamy Por Minardi 1:43.387 17 K Wendlinger Aus Sauber 1:43.634 18 L Badoer It Minardi 1:43.940 19 T Inoue Jpn Footwork 1:44.386 20 P Diniz Brz Forti 1:46.654 21 A Montermini It Pacific 1:46.869 22 B Gachot Fr Pacific 1:48.824 23 R Moreno Brz Forti 1:50.097 24 M Blundell GB McLaren 16:42.640Britain's Johnny Herbert escaped unhurt following a 130mph crash during Friday's qualifying session. Herbert spun off the track as he attempted to improve his position before spinning round and ramming the back of his Benetton into a tyre wall. But the 31 -year-old was able to step away from the car and was given the all-clear after a mandatory visit to the circuit's medical centre. "I'm all right," said Herbert after the first qualifying session incident at Degner Curve. "The car is just so twitchy, but I had to push it."
Benetton's Michael Schumacher snatched provisional pole right at the end of a qualifying session which saw the top spot change hands eight times. The double world champion moved ahead on his final run edging out Damon Hill by sixth-tenths of a second w ith McLaren's Mika Hakkinen third. Hill thought he had taken pole with a time of 1 min 39.032 secs, only for the German, who claimed his second world title last Sunday, to clinch it. David Coulthard, aiming to take second place in the title race from Hill , marked his Suzuka debut with fifth spot.
RALLYING:- Britain's Fiona Udale has won the ladies title in the Middle East Championship after finishing 11th overall in the Qatar Rally. Udale, from Kirkby Lonsdale in Cumbria, who was co-driven by Denise Stone clinched the title with one round of the C hampionship remaining. Simon Nutter remains in the lead in the F2 Middle East Championship after finishing seventh overall in Qatar. The event was won by Khalifa Al-Mutawi.
28.10.95 - F1: THE JAPANESE GP Saturday's final qualifying times: mins secs 1 M Schumacher Ger Benetton 1:38.023 2 J Alesi Fr Ferrari 1:38.888 3 M Hakkinen Fin McLaren 1:38.954 4 D Hill GB Williams 1:39.032 5 G Berger Aut Ferrari 1:39.040 6 D Coulthard GB Williams 1:39.155 7 E Irvine GB Jordan 1:39.621 8 H Frentzen Ger Sauber 1:40.010 9 J Herbert GB Benetton 1:40.349 10 R Barrichello Brz Jordan 1:40.381 11 O Panis Fr Ligier 1:40.838 12 M Salo Fin Tyrrell 1:41.355 13 A Suzuki Jpn Ligier 1:41.592 14 U Katayama Jpn Tyrrell 1:41.977 15 G Morbidelli It Footwork 1:42.059 16 K Wendlinger Aus Sauber 1:42.912 17 P Lamy Por Minardi 1:43.102 18 L Badoer It Minardi 1:43.542 19 T Inoue Jpn Footwork 1:44.074 20 A Montermini It Pacific 1:46.097 21 P Diniz Brz Forti 1:46.654 22 R Moreno Brz Forti 1:48.267 23 B Gachot Fr Pacific 1:48.289 24 M Blundell GB McLaren 16:42.640A high-speed crash involving Japan's Aguri Suzuki halted the final qualifying session for the Grand Prix. Suzuki lost control with five minutes remaining when his Ligier crashed backwards into the barriers. He remained motionless in the car until he was l ifted out of the cockpit. Early reports say he suffered a broken rib but was otherwise all right. Britain's Mark Blundell crashed heavily in his McLaren close to the end of the morning free practice, but was lucky enough to walk away uninjured.
29.10.95F1: THE JAPANESE GP
Michael Schumacher showed why he is world champion with a faultless drive to seal his ninth win of the season as Benetton took the constructors' title. Schumacher dominated throughout and was only troubled by an amazing display from Jean Alesi who was rig ht on his tail at one stage. However when the Frenchman was forced to retire no-one could match Schumacher who went on to equal Nigel Mansell's record of wins in a season. It was a disappointing day for Williams as both Damon Hill and David Coulthard spun off at the Spoon Curve.
Michael Schumacher was delighted for his Benetton team-mates that they had clinched the constructors' championship when he won in Suzuka. "The team really earned this title," he said. "They have been the best team in the paddock this year and last year ." Schumacher equalled Nigel Mansell's 1992 record of nine wins in a season with his win and it gives him something to aim for in the season's final Grand Prix in Adelaide in a fortnight. "I will go to Australia to set a new record," the world champion de clared.
Herbert helped Benetton clinch the constructors' championship when he finished third behind team-mate Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen. "Benetton have done a fantastic job and it is good to be a part of that and to put some points on the board for them," Herbert said. "I tried to get a good start here and I was in the right position at the right time. I also had good pit-stops which helped a lot." Hakkinen said: "It was great from start to finish. I kept my place and the whole race went well."
Jean Alesi delighted the crowd with some courageous driving before being forced out halfway through the race as Michael Schumacher eased to victory. The Frenchman had to return to the pits to serve a ten second jump-start penalty but the punishment fir ed him up and he began to storm through the field. He bravely overtook Damon Hill by driving round the outside of him on the tight chicane and then moved into second place behind Schumacher. Alesi's adventure was finally cut short by engine trouble.
Damon Hill suffered another frustrating day as he spun out of the race which saw another Michael Schumacher victory. Hill had briefly taken the lead on lap 31 when Schumacher was in the pits but slipped back to second and then went off the track on lap 37. He damaged the nose of his car and went into the pits for repairs but incurred a ten-second penalty for speeding there and had to go back in. However within seconds of re-emerging, Hill again spun off on the Spoon Curve and that finished his race.
Damon Hill admitted his Formula One career was at its lowest ebb after sliding out of the Japanese Grand Prix. He said: "I have never felt as bad as this. The most tempting thing to do is give up and do something else but that's not the way forward. Th at's not what makes me tick. Just when you think it couldn't get any worse it does. There is no easy way out of this but we will have to keep pressing on. I have made mistakes. I cannot deny that and naturally that makes it even more uncomfortable."
David Coulthard followed Damon Hill out of the race when he spun into a tyre barrier when chasing eventual winner Michael Schumacher. "We had a bit of rain down the back of the circuit," he said. "I didn't want to lose any time so I kept pushing. "I sp un off and managed to get back on to the track, but the problem was at the next corner. I had gravel in my side-pods and spun in my own gravel." Coulthard, who cricked his neck in the incident, added: "Now I have to look forward to Australia. It would be nice to leave Williams with a win."
Result after 53 laps: hr:min:sec 1 M Schumacher Ger Benetton 1:36:52 2 M Hakkinen Fin McLaren @ 0:19 3 J Herbert GB Benetton @ 1:23 4 E Irvine GB Jordan @ 1:42 5 O Panis Fr Ligier @ one lap 6 M Salo Fin Tyrrell @ one lap 7 M Blundell GB McLaren @ one lap 8 H Frentzen Ger Sauber @ one lap 9 L Badoer It Minardi @ two laps 10 K Wendlinger Aut Sauber @ two laps 11 P Lamy Por Minardi @ two laps 12 T Inoue Jpn Footwork @ two laps Retirements: D Hill GB Williams (lap 40) D Coulthard GB Williams (lap 39) P Diniz Brz Forti (lap 32) J Alesi Fr Ferrari (lap 24) A Montermini It Pacific (lap 23) G Berger Aut Ferrari (lap 16) R Barrichello Brz Jordan (lap 15) U Katayama Jpn Tyrrell (lap 12) B Gachot Fr Pacific (lap 6) R Moreno Brz Forti (lap 1) G Mordibelli It Footwork failed to complete one lap WORLD DRIVERS' CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS 1 M Schumacher Ger Benetton 102 pts 2 D Hill GB Williams 59 3 D Coulthard GB Williams 49 4 J Herbert GB Benetton 45 5 J Alesi Fr Ferrari 42 6 G Berger Aut Ferrari 31 7 M Hakkinen Fin McLaren 17 8 H Frentzen Ger Sauber 15 9 R Barrichello Brz Jordan 11 10 M Blundell GB McLaren 10 == O Panis Fr Ligier 10 == E Irvine GB Jordan 10 13 M Brundle GB Ligier 7 14 J-C Boullion Fr Sauber 3 == M Salo Fin Tyrrell 3 CONSTRUCTORS' CHAMPIONSHIP: 1 Benetton 137 points Benetton win title 2 Williams 102 3 Ferrari 73 4 McLaren 27 5 Jordan 21 6 Ligier 18 = Sauber 18 8 Tyrrell 3 9 Footwork 1 30.10.95 - F1Damon Hill has set off for a short holiday before trying to restore lost pride in the Australian Grand Prix. He briefly raised and dismissed the question of retirement after sliding out of Sunday's Japanese GP, won by world champion Michael Schumacher. "T he easy thing to do would be to give up and it would probably be less painful that way, but that's not an option," the Briton said. "There's no reason why we shouldn't get back into the winning frame of mind again and the winning habit - we could be reall y hot in Australia," he added.
31.10.95 - F1 Damon Hill has hit out at growing rumours that the Williams team want to replace him for 1996. "I've got the experience of winning 12 Grands Prix with Williams and I'm motivated to win the title next year with the team," he said. "I have their assurance t hat is what their plans are too. In any case, I have a contract with them. "I would not want to stay with a team that did not have faith in my ability, but I don't feel that is the case," the Briton added.
Dutchman Jos Verstappen is expected to drive for the Arrows team in next year's Formula One championship. "I would like to run Gianni Morbidelli in the second seat, but there are a number of discussions going on and it's too early to say what will happ en," said team boss Jackie Oliver.
Silverstone is to be made faster for next season in response to calls from F1 drivers. It is believed that changes will be made at Copse and Stowe and the Priory Luffield complex will be re-profiled.
Next year's British Grand Prix at Silverstone is set to be a sell-out months in advance. For the second year in succession the day of the race will be an all-ticket affair with a maximum of 90,000 spectators.
RALLYING:- Toyota Castrol have been summoned to appear before the World Motor Sport Council (FIA) to explain illegal turbochargers on two of their cars. The cars, driven by Didier Auriol and Juha Kankkunen, were disqualified at last week's Catalunya Rally .