September 1995

01.09.95 - F1
Gerhard Berger is to quit Ferrari at the end of the current Formula One season to join rivals Benetton on a two-year contract. He will link up again with Jean Alesi, a decision which leaves Johnny Herbert looking for a new team for 1996. "It was not an easy decision to part with Ferrari after the good times I've had at Maranello," said Berger. Ferrari will name their second driver after the Grand Prix of Europe in Germany on October 14, with Scot David Coulthard among the men tipped to partner Michael Schumacher next year.

Johnny Herbert was left looking for another team after Gerhard Berger agreed to rejoin Benetton on a two-year contract. The Warwickshire-based driver's future was in doubt for most of the season though team boss Flavio Briatore confirmed last week that Herbert will see out the current campaign. The 31-year-old had been frustrated at a lack of testing opportunities this season. It is the second time Herbert has been axed by Benetton, Briatore also dispensed with his services in 1989.


Silverstone testing times (Thursday):
                           mins:secs
1 M Hakkinen    Fin McLaren  1:28.44
2 R Barrichello Brz Jordan   1:29.28
3 A Menu        Swi Williams 1:30.62
4 M Salo        Fin Tyrrell  1:30.88
5 A Prost       Fr  McLaren  1:31.02
6 U Katayama    Jpn Tyrrell  1:31.90
7 T Inoue       Jpn Footwork 1:33.45
8 D Hill        GB  Williams 1:35.33




03.09.95
INDYCAR:- Canadian Jacques Villeneuve stayed on course for the title as he secured pole for Sunday's Vancouver Grand Prix. The 24-year-old, driving a Reynard Ford Cosworth, improved his provisional pole time with a slightly quicker lap of 55.226-seconds. It was Villeneuve's fifth pole of the year and the sixth of his two-year IndyCar career. The only mathematical threat to his title is if Al Unser Jnr's Penske team win an appeal against Unser's disqualification in Portland.


Starting grid for Sunday's Molson Grand Prix at
Vancouver after final qualifying: secs
 1 J Vil'neuve Can Reynard Ford  55.226 (111.013mph)
 2 J Vasser    It  Reynard Ford  55.503
 3 B Rahal     US  Lola Mercedes 55.523
 4 S Goodyear  Can Reynard Honda 55.637
 5 M Andretti  US  Lola Ford     55.662
 6 T Fabi      It  Reynard Ford  55.666
 7 R Gordon    US  Reynard Ford  55.870
 8 G de Ferran Brz Reynard Merc  55.932
 9 A Unser jr  US  Lola Mercedes 56.040
10 S Pruett    US  Lola Ford     56.047




04.09.95
F1:- Switzerland's Jean-Denis Deletraz will make his Formula One comeback with Pacific Team Lotus at the Portuguese Grand Prix on September 24.

INDYCAR:- Al Unser Jr breathed life into his hopes of catching Jacques Villeneuve in the PPG Cup championship race, racing away with Sunday's Vancouver Molson. Villeneuve, who could have clinched the title with one race remaining by finishing sixth or better, had a frustrating afternoon. The 24-year-old point leader faded to 12th after late-race contact with fellow Canadian Scott Goodyear. Meanwhile, Unser, the defending series and race champion, passed Michael Andretti for the lead on a restart on lap 60 and went on to victory.


Result of Sunday's Molson Grand Prix at Vancouver:
 1 A Unser jr  US  Lola Mercedes  (ave.speed 95.571 mph)
 2 G de Ferran Brz Reynard Mercedes
 3 R Gordon    US  Reynard Ford
 4 S Johansson Swe Penske Mercedes
 5 B Rahal     US  Lola Mercedes
 6 S Pruett    US  Lola Ford
 7 E Fit'paldi Brz Penske Mercedes
 8 P Tracy     Can Lola Ford
 9 A Zampedri  It  Lola Ford
10 R Roesel    Brz Lola Mercedes




05.09.95 - F1
Martin Brundle says he would be happy to stay at Ligier next season even though he has other options, including one at Jordan. "I'd be very happy to stay where I am. We've made good progress and the future looks exciting," said Brundle.





06.09.95 - F1
Ferrari and Italy's giant oil group Agip Petroli have announced they will discontinue a 22-year partnership in Formula One at the end of the 1995 world championship. The split was expected after the Italian state-controlled oil group recently criticized the high-spending policy of teams, forcing commercial sponsors to support heavy investments. Anglo-Dutch oil group Shell are to return to F1 as the new Ferrari sponsor from 1 January 1996.

JOHN WATSON ON THE ITALIAN GP

Monza is one of the most magical Grands Prix on the entire calendar. The circuit has had further safety work carried out despite the protests of environmentalists but its fundamental character will always remain. By nature it is a high-speed circuit and as ever grunt is the factor that affects final performance. Pit-stops will be influenced by Good Year's A Compound, the hardest they possess. Teams must decide to go for one or more stops. It works towards Williams for one but to Benetton who are stronger where multiple stops are needed.

Michael Schumacher will race at Monza under the threat of suspension if he so much as blinks the wrong way after a suspended one-race ban in Belgium. Manipulation of the championship is unthinkable but the benefit of having it run to the end of the season as last year is obviously attractive to the global audience. I think Schumacher will be walking on eggshells all weekend and it is an unenviable position for the world champion elect to find himself in. However that is the price he is paying for his virtuosity in Belgium.

David Coulthard could prove a fly in the ointment for the principal championship contenders on Sunday. Coulthard, now seeking a new home for his talents will really try to consolidate his quality and desire at Monza and the remaining GP's. His early laps at Spa two weeks ago were pure delight and a repeat on Sunday would be no surprise. With only Williams and Benetton having confirmed their '96 driver line-up, Coulthard's preference must lie at either McLaren or Ferrari.

The other emotional issue at Monza will revolve around how Scuderia Ferrari do. From memory it is the first time they will run two drivers at Monza who will not be with the team next year. It means no favour will be shown towards either driver? Ferrari have very strong engines and when they appear at Monza, produce one lap wonders for qualifying to satisfy the emotional home fans. However as was seen last year, winning the race has proved to be much more difficult. They didn't!

Monza's tradition as an engine-breaking circuit suggests no obvious candidate to grace the podium on Sunday. Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot and Ford continue development that has drawn them closer to Renault's V10, still the best all-round engine in Formula One. The same applies to Mugen Honda who are using a 'fly-by-wire' throttle control in the Ligier for the first time. Finally, but of equal importance, the issue of who goes where next year will see fleet footwork in the Formula One paddock. Watch this space.





07.09.95 - F1
Johnny Herbert is convinced he can still make it as a Formula One driver despite being axed by Benetton. Herbert is being replaced by Gerhard Berger next year but is confident he will be signed on by another team. "I have got a few things I am working on," he said. "They may not be with one of the top four teams, but are such I could help turn one into one of the top five teams. I will be trying to string some results together between now and the end of the season. I know the speed is there."





08.09.95
F1: THE ITALIAN GP

Scotland's David Coulthard demonstrated his talent to potential employers for next season by seizing provisional pole in his Williams Renault. The 24-year-old from Twynholm produced a flying lap of 1 min 25.516 secs to head the list of times. Gerhard Berger was second fastest for Ferrari, who earlier announced that Niki Lauda will leave his advisory job with the team at the end of the season. Damon Hill was next best but several cars went off onto the gravel during the session, including champion Michael Scumacher and Mika Hakkinen.

David Coulthard voiced his desire to record his first Grand Prix victory on Sunday after setting the fastest time in the opening qualifying session. "I am going to win this weekend...it would be good for me and for the fans - especially if I was to join Ferrari next year," the Williams star said. "The car feels pretty well balanced with a touch of oversteer, rather than the understeer I've had in the past. I was quick on both my runs but slid wide at the Lesmo on one as I was exploring the grip. I'm confident I'll be quick again on Saturday," he added.


Friday's qualifying times:    mins secs
 1 D Coulthard    GB  Williams 1:25.516
 2 G Berger       Aut Ferrari  1:25.904
 3 D Hill         GB  Williams 1:25.912
 4 M Schumacher   Ger Benetton 1:26.098
 5 J Alesi        Fr  Ferrari  1:26.323
 6 J Herbert      GB  Benetton 1:26.631
 7 R Barrichello  Brz Jordan   1:26.981
 8 H Frentzen     Ger Sauber   1:27.245
 9 M Blundell     GB  McLaren  1:27.308
10 E Irvine       GB  Jordan   1:27.573
11 O Panis        Fr  Ligier   1:28.418
12 M Hakkinen     Fin McLaren  1:28.895
13 M Brundle      GB  Ligier   1:29.200
14 M Salo         Fin Tyrrell  1:29.535
15 P Lamy         Por Minardi  1:29.936
16 T Inoue        Jpn Footwork 1:30.632
17 L Badoer       It  Minardi  1:30.731
18 J Boullion     Fr  Sauber   1:30.997
19 U Katayama     Jpn Tyrrell  1:31.399
20 A Montermini   It  Pacific  1:32.121
21 R Moreno       Brz Forti    1:32.491
22 P Diniz        Brz Forti    1:32.540
23 G Lavaggi      It  Pacific  1:32.935
24 M Papis        It  Footwork  no time

German Heinz-Harald Frentzen is to stay with the Sauber Formula One team for the 1996 season. The 28-year-old had been tipped to move to McLaren as teammate to Mika Hakkinen and he admitted his decision to stay with Sauber had not been an easy one. "I had interesting alternatives to which I gave serious consideration in the last couple of weeks. But with Ford making it clear they are making every effort to develop a competitive V10 engine for next year, I think we can have a technically strong package for next year," he said.

Jordan official Gary Anderson has slammed the lack of interest in the potentially tragic refuelling fire at the Belgian Grand Prix two weeks ago. Anderson, Jordan's technical director, was angered that no-one from the FIA had been in contact over the incident. Flames engulfed Eddie Irvine's car during a refuelling stop and quick reactions from Jordan, McLaren and Ligier mechanics prevented any injury. "When the same thing happened to Benetton last year there was a big uproar but after our fire I have not heard from anybody," said Anderson.





09.09.95
F1: THE ITALIAN GP

Scot David Coulthard produced a superb performance as he grabbed pole position for Sunday's race - and staked his claim for a good drive next season. The Williams star, who has promised to win in Monza to boost his F1 ambitions, was in a class of his own as he swept around the circuit in 1 min 24.462 secs. Championship leader Michael Schumacher lines up alongside him on the grid in his Benetton but main rival Damon Hill was only fourth after running wide and sliding off on his final lap. Jean Alesi, who shone in free practice, was a disappointing fifth.

David Coulthard was suitably thrilled with his pole-winning performance for Sunday's Monza showdown. He said: "It's a good confidence boost to be quickest on both days. I did the same in Argentina so I hope I will have a bit more luck this time. But there is a long way to go yet, though I am feeling very comfortable for the race and I believe I am quick enough to win it." Damon Hill, fourth fastest, said: "It was not the session I had wanted but it is not the end of the world."

Benetton driver Michael Schumacher claimed a place on the front row of the grid but admitted it had been hard work. "It is unusual for me to take such a long time to find the set-up I need for quick lap times," he insisted. "On my first run I was a long way off but we made some adjustments and they worked." Teammate Johnny Herbert said he had struggled for his eighth place. "The car felt a little nervous and I am disappointed not to have improved my time more than I did. The set-up did not seem to be quite right," he said.


Final practice leaderboard:   mins:secs
 1 D Coulthard    GB  Williams 1:24.462
 2 M Schumacher   Ger Benetton 1:25.026
 3 G Berger       Aut Ferrari  1:25.353
 4 D Hill         GB  Williams 1:25.699
 5 J Alesi        Fr  Ferrari  1:25.707
 6 R Barrichello  Brz Jordan   1:25.919
 7 M Hakkinen     Fin McLaren  1:25.920
 8 J Herbert      GB  Benetton 1:26.433
 9 M Blundell     GB  McLaren  1:26.472
10 H Frentzen     Ger Sauber   1:26.541
11 M Brundle      GB  Ligier   1:27.067
12 E Irvine       GB  Jordan   1:27.271
13 O Panis        Fr  Ligier   1:27.384
14 J Boullion     Fr  Sauber   1:28.741
15 M Papis        It  Footwork 1:28.870
16 M Salo         Fin Tyrrell  1:29.028
17 U Katayama     Jpn Tyrrell  1:29.287
18 L Badoer       It  Minardi  1:29.559
19 P Lamy         Por Minardi  1:29.936
20 T Inoue        Jpn Footwork 1:30.515
21 A Montermini   It  Pacific  1:30.721
22 R Moreno       Brz Forti    1:30.834
23 P Diniz        Brz Forti    1:32.102
24 G Lavaggi      It  Pacific  1:32.470


Saturday's free practice:    mins secs
 1 J Alesi        Fr  Ferrari  1:25.133
 2 D Coulthard    GB  Williams 1:25.135
 3 G Berger       Aut Ferrari  1:25.221
 4 M Schumacher   Ger Benetton 1:25.919
 5 M Hakkinen     Fin McLaren  1:26.186
 6 D Hill         GB  Williams 1:26.222
 7 J Herbert      GB  Benetton 1:26.387
 8 E Irvine       GB  Jordan   1:26.505
 9 R Barrichello  Brz Jordan   1:26.580
10 M Blundell     GB  McLaren  1:26.792
11 H Frentzen     Ger Sauber   1:27.056
12 O Panis        Fr  Ligier   1:27.765
13 M Brundle      GB  Ligier   1:27.821
14 M Salo         Fin Tyrrell  1:28.471
15 M Papis        It  Footwork 1:28.553
16 U Katayama     Jpn Tyrrell  1:29.391
17 L Badoer       It  Minardi  1:30.084
18 T Inoue        Jpn Footwork 1:30.268
19 A Montermini   It  Pacific  1:30.782
20 J Boullion     Fr  Sauber   1:30.973
21 R Moreno       Brz Forti    1:31.092
22 P Lamy         Por Minardi  1:31.205
23 P Diniz        Brz Forti    1:31.887
24 G Lavaggi      It  Pacific  1:32.580


INDYCAR
Friday times for provisional pole for
Sunday's Laguna Seca GP race:
     secs
 1 T Fabi        It  Reynard     70.527
 2 M Gugelmin    Brz Reynard     70.585
 3 J Villeneuve  Can Reynard     70.588
 4 A Ribeiro     Brz Reynard     70.855
 5 B Herta       US  Reynard     70.882
 6 B Rahal       US  Lola-Merc   70.971
 7 M Andretti    US  Lola        71.006
 8 R Boesel      Brz Lola-Merc   71.008
 9 G de Ferran   Brz Reynard     71.079
10 P Johnstone   US  Reynard     71.121

SUPERTOURING (Oulton Park):- Alain Menu grabbed pole position for both Sunday's penultimate round of the BTCC series to complete a great day for the Williams-Renault team. The Frenchman's double top followed David Coulthard's dominant display in qualifying for the Italian F1 GP. BTCC leader John Cleland was delighted with his place alongside Menu for both rounds, while arch-rival Rickard Rydell had a disastrous time qualifying sixth for round 22 and only 18th for round 23. The Swede suffered a gearbox failure in the afternoon session and has a lot to do if he is to keep alive his title bid.


Qualifying times for round 22 of the Auto Trader
RAC British Touring Cars:
 1 A Menu     Renault Lag   1:00.915
 2 J Cleland  Vauxhall Cav  1:00.919
 3 J Bailey   Toyota Carina 1:01.170
 4 W Hoy      Renault Lag   1:01.206
 5 D Leslie   Honda Accord  1:01.249
 6 R Rydell   Volvo 850     1:01.288
 7 J Kaye     Honda Accord  1:01.520
 8 G Tarquini Alfa Romeo    1:01.535
 9 T Harvey   Volvo 850     1:01.603
10 J Cecotto  BMW 318i      1:01.645
11 S Harrison Peugeot 405   1:01.688
12 P Radisich Ford Mondeo   1:01.699
13 M Briggs   Vauxhall Cav  1:01.721
14 P Watts    Peugeot 405   1:01.730


Qualifying times for Round 23:mins secs
 1 A Menu     Renault Lag   1:00.344
 2 J Cleland  Vauxhall Cav  1:00.455
 3 D Leslie   Honda Accord  1:00.506
 4 T Harvey   Volvo 850     1:00.669
 5 J Bailey   Toyota Carina 1:00.680
 6 W Hoy      Renault Lag   1:00.754
 7 J Kaye     Honda Accord  1:00.773
 8 J Cecotto  BMW 318i      1:00.805
 9 K Burt     Ford Mondeo   1:00.925
10 P Watts    Peugeot 405   1:00.958
11 G Tarquini Alfa Romeo    1:00.992
12 M Briggs   Vauxhall Cav  1:01.039
13 S Harrison Peugeot 405   1:01.081
14 M Neal     Ford Mondeo   1:01.209

F3:- Briton Oliver Gavin boosted his title hopes by taking pole position for Sunday's 13th round at Snetterton. "It's good to be right up at the front again," said the Bedford-based driver, who is currently third in the series. "The hard work will be turning pole position into a win tomorrow." Gavin clocked 1 min 06.468 secs with Warren Hughes second fastest in 1:06.627 ahead of Championship leader Ralph Firman who recorded 1:06.641. Firman currently leads by 36 points, with six rounds left.





10.09.95
F1: THE ITALIAN GP

Benetton's Johnny Herbert won a chaotic incident-packed grand prix that saw all the pre-race favourites forced out. David Coulthard, who spun off on the warm-up lap, was able to start from pole when the race was re-started after a four-car crash on the second lap. But the Williams driver slid off on lap 13, Damon Hill and Michael Schumacher collided and went out 10 laps later, and both Ferrari drivers had spells at the front before retiring. With Jean Alesi gone Herbert hit the front, finishing ahead of Mika Hakkinen and Sauber's Heinz-Harald Frentzen.

David Coulthard was granted a reprieve after an astonishing mishap on the pre-race warm-up lap. The young Scot was starting from pole position but spun exiting the Ascari chicane and was relegated to the back of the field. But at the end of the first lap a massive collision involving four cars brought the race to a halt, causing a 25-minute delay. Coulthard was consequently able to restart the race back on the front row in the spare Williams car.

Arch-rivals Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were once again involved in a controversial collishon which put both drivers out of the race. Schumacher was lying second in his Benetton with Hill close behind when they became caught up with a backmarker. Hill, forced to change direction to avoid the slower car, appeared to run into the back of Schumacher as they approached the second chicane. A Benetton protest was later upheld by race stewards, who questioned the Williams driver and handed him a one-race ban, suspended for one race.

Damon Hill and Michael Schumacher were both fuming after colliding yet again and sliding into the gravel. Schumacher, clearly upset with Hill, said: "I must see the video. Damon went into me which I'm not very happy with." Hill was also angry, but claimed it was the back marker's fault. "The guy changed lines twice. It's just ridiculous. He's completely ruined a very good race." The Williams driver described him as "completely clueless", and said: "It's a crying shame."

Johnny Herbert's second win of the year boosted the British driver's hopes of finding a place with a top team after being dropped by Benetton. "Twice in one year has got to be good. There has got to be the chance of a good drive," said Herbert.

"The car was OK. It's been difficult all year and this is not how I want it," said Herbert, who has not always been happy with the team's support. Herbert, now third in the Championship, added: "I could be in contention at the end if it keeps going like this!"


Result after 53 laps:
 1 J Herbert    GB  Benetton  1 hr 18 mins 27.916 secs
 2 M Hakkinen   Fin McLaren       17.77s back
 3 H Frentzen   Ger Sauber        24.32
 4 M Blundell   GB  McLaren       28.22
 5 M Salo       Fin Tyrrell       1 lap
 6 J-C Bouillon Fr  Sauber        1 lap
 7 M Papis      It  Footwork      1 lap
 8 T Inoue      Jpn Footwork      1 lap
 9 P Diniz      Brz Forti Ford    3 laps
10 U Katayama   Jpn Tyrrell       6 laps


WORLD DRIVERS' CHAMPIONSHIP
 1 M Schumacher  Ger  Benetton  66 pts
 2 D Hill        GB   Williams  51
 3 J Herbert     GB   Benetton  38
 4 J Alesi       Fr   Ferrari   32
 5 D Coulthard   GB   Williams  29
 6 G Berger      Aut  Ferrari   25
 7 H Frentzen    Ger  Sauber    14
 8 M Hakkinen    Fin  McLaren   11
 9 M Blundell    GB   McLaren   10
10 O Panis       Fr   Ligier     8
== R Barrichello Brz  Jordan     8
12 M Brundle     GB   Ligier     7
13 E Irvine      GB   Jordan     6
14 J-C Boullion  Fr   Sauber     3
15 M Salo        Fin  Tyrrell    2

CONSTRUCTORS' CHAMPIONSHIP:
1 Benetton     94 points
2 Williams     74
3 Ferrari      57
4 McLaren      21
5 Sauber       17
6 Ligier       16
7 Jordan       14
8 Tyrrell       2
9 Footwork      1

RETIREMENTS: A MONTERMINI Involved in the multiple collision on the first lap which caused the race to be stopped. Pacific Ford have no spare car. R MORENO Involved in the first-lap pile-up. P LAMY Did not manage to re-start. G LAVAGGI Spun-off on lap 6. M BRUNDLE Tyre blow-out lap 10. D COULTHARD Spun-off on lap 13 while leading the race as result of failed front wheel bearing. O PANIS Spun off at chicane on lap 20. D HILL Collided with Michael Schumacher on lap 23. Both cars crashed off into the gravel. Hill had been hard on Schumacher's tail. M SCHUMACHER See above. G BERGER Forced out on lap 33 after front suspension failed. E IRVINE Came to a halt with 13 laps remaining - had been lying in sixth place. R BARRICHELLO Limped off with the rear of his car on fire on lap 45. J ALESI Retired while leading the race on lap 46. L BADOER Went out after 26 laps.

INDYCAR:- Canadian Jacques Villeneuve will start from pole position in the IndyCar series finale at Laguna Seca today after a record lap in final qualifying. Villeneuve, who will drive for the Williams F1 team next season, increased his lead in the Championship with the bonus point for being fastest and now leads by 41 points from Al Unser jnr. His lead would be cut to 17 points if Unser's appeal against disqualification in Portland is successful. Even then eighth place in the race or better would clinch the crown for the Reynard Ford-Cosworth driver.


Leading qualifiers for today's Laguna Seca race:
                                  secs
 1 J Villeneuve  Can Reynard     69.625
 2 B Herta       US  Reynard     69.992
 3 G de Ferran   Brz Reynard     70.208
 4 T Fabi        It  Reynard     70.527
 5 S Pruett      US  Lola-Cosw   70.541
 6 M Gugelmin    Brz Reynard     70.585
 7 J Vasser      US  Reynard     70.650
 8 P Tracy       Can Lola-Cosw   70.762
 9 A Ribeiro     Brz Reynard     70.855
10 P Johnstone   US  Reynard     70.943




10.09.95
SUPERTOURING (Oulton Park):- John Cleland clinched the Auto Trader RAC British Touring Car Championship drivers' title with two solid drives, both victories going to Alain Menu. The Vauxhall driver, champion in 1989, finished third and then second to claim the crown with two races remaining. Menu's double triumph for Renault moved him into second place in the points and puts pressure on Vauxhall in their bid for the manufacturers' title. Cleland drove cautiously in the first round, handing the lead to Menu and finishing third but, with the title all but decided, he chased hard in round 23.

Birmingham's Matt Neal has clinched the top BTCC award for privateers, the Total Cup, with victory in his division in round 22 of the 25-race series. Neal finished 13th overall as he claimed his 12th success of the season.


Result of round 22 of the Auto Trader RAC British
Touring Car Championship:  mins secs
 1 A Menu     Renault Lag   22:48.71
 2 W Hoy      Renault Lag   22:54.21
 3 J Cleland  Vauxhall Cav  22:54.92
 4 G Tarquini Alfa Romeo    22:59.81
 5 R Rydell   Volvo 850     23:00.37
 6 D Leslie   Honda Accord  23:02.06
 7 J Kaye     Honda Accord  23:06.79
 8 D Warwick  Alfa Romeo    23:13.3
 9 S Harrison Peugeot 405   23:14.37
10 K Burt     Ford Mondeo   23:16.92
11 D Brabham  BMW 318i      23:17.19
12 M Briggs   Vauxhall Cav  23:17.51
Matt Neal clinches privateers Total Cup


Result of round 23:        mins secs
 1 A Menu     Renault Lag   26:38.58
 2 J Cleland  Vauxhall Cav  26:44.25
 3 D Leslie   Honda Accord  26:44.45
 4 J Bailey   Toyota Carina 26:45.29
 5 T Harvey   Volvo 850     26:51.23
 6 J Cecotto  BMW 318i      26:52.54
 7 K Burt     Ford Mondeo   26:53.54
 8 M Briggs   Vauxhall Cav  26:55.65
 9 J Kaye     Honda Accord  26:57.59
10 R Rydell   Volvo 850     26:57.94
11 M Neal     Ford Mondeo   26:59.62
12 P Radisich Ford Mondeo   27:01.16
Cleland clinches BTCC drivers' title.

Drivers
1 John Cleland   GB  Vauxhall  324 pts
2 Alain Menu     Fr  Renault   263
3 Rickard Rydell Swe Volvo     251
4 Tim Harvey     GB  Volvo     171
5 Will Hoy       GB  Renault   153
6 Paul Radisich  NZ  Ford      130

Manufacturers
1 Vauxhall       378
2 Renault        371
3 Volvo          343

Total Cup Privateers
1 Matthew Neal   GB  Ford Mondeo 396
2 Richard Kaye   GB  Ford Mondeo 300
3 Nigel Smith    GB  Vauxhall    298

F.VAUXHALL:- Ulsterman Jonny Kane finished second in the Formula Vauxhall Championship race to win the title with one round to go.


Result:                  mins secs
1 Juan Pablo Montoya     17:34.71
2 Johnny Kane            17:36.82
3 Martin O'Connell       17:39.08
4 Darren Manning         17:41.83

F3 (Snetterton):- Oliver Gavin kept alive his title challenge as he claimed a convincing win while Championship leader Ralph Firman struck trouble and went out. Gavin, starting from pole spot ahead of fellow Britons Warren Hughes and Firman, grabbed an early lead and was left well clear when the chasing pair collided and crashed out of the race. Firman admitted he had struck Hughes's car. "My foot became stuck under a pedal. I'm very sorry," he said. Firman leads on 148 points, 17 clear of Gavin. Runner-up Helio Castro Neves is third on 127 with five races to go.




11.09.95
INDYCAR:- Gil de Ferran ran away with his first IndyCar victory as Jacques Villeneuve sewed up the series championship at the Laguna Seca 300. The Brazilian, driving a Reynard Mercedes-Benz, took the lead when Villeneuve, starting on pole, had a pit stop on lap 29. He dominated the remainder of the 84 lap race and finished 7.959 seconds ahead of Canadian Paul Tracy with Mauricio Gugelmin third. Villeneuve, who will drive for Williams in Formula One next season, said: "It's great to have the championship decided.


                                  Laps
 1 G de Ferran   Brz Reynard       84 (98.493mph)
 2 P Tracy       Can Lola-Cosw     84
 3 M Gugelmin    Brz Reynard       84
 4 M Andretti    US  Lola-Cosw     84
 5 S Pruett      US  Lola-Cosw     84
 6 A Unser Jnr   US  Penske        84
 7 B Rahal       US  Lola-Merc     84
 8 J Vasser      US  Reynard       84
 9 T Fabi        It  Reynard       84
10 A Fernandez   Mex Reynard       84
11 J Villeneuve  Can Reynard       83

SUPERTOURING:- Kieth Odor has died after a crash during the German Super Touring Car Championship at the weekend. The 33-year-old Nissan driver, who also competed in the British Touring Car Championship, lost control of his car at the Avus track in Berlin. His car bounced off barriers and was hit side-on by another car. Odor was flown to hospital but died during the early hours of Monday morning. The crash is the second major accident involving touring cars this year after Australian Greg Hansford was killed in March.





12.09.95 - F1
Schumacher does not think there is a lasting feud between him and Damon Hill following their recent collisions on the track. "When we're racing and competing we all know that mistakes can happen. The most important thing is to be able to admit those mistakes," said Schumacher. "When I next see Damon it will not be a problem for me to say hello to him and to shake hands," added the Formula One world champion. Bernie Ecclestone had warned Schumacher and Hill that an on-track feud could lead to someone being killed.





13.09.95 - F1
Four times world champion Alain Prost is continuing to talk with McLaren about a possible Formula One comeback. The Frenchman, who won three of his titles with the Woking-based team, is testing at Silverstone but said he was not about to make a decision. "If I wanted to make decisions whether to race I should test for much longer and that is not possible," he said. The 39-year-old did hint that a return was a possibility. "If I feel I can enjoy coming back even if the results are not exactly what I, or people expect, I would," added Prost.





14.09.95
F1:- Formula One team Nokia Tyrrell Yamaha have confirmed that Mika Salo will be driving for them again next season. Salo won the team's first points of the year with his fifth place at Monza last weekend. Tyrrell also hope to have Ukyo Katayama back with them.

Benetton have refuted suggestions that Michael Schumacher "brake tested" Damon Hill before the crash that sent both drivers out of the Italian Grand Prix. The team have analysed data from the race and state that at the point of impact the German was travelling faster than on the previous two laps.

RALLY OF AUSTRALIA

In-form Scot Colin McRae sets out on Friday in his bid to repeat last year's triumph down under and boost his hopes of taking the world title. The 27-year-old currently lies fifth in the drivers's standings but is only 11 points behind leader Didier Auriol. McRae had a difficult start to the season but comes into the event on the back of wins in New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific event in Indonesia. "A win in Australia will put me in with a superb chance. There is eveything to play for and I'll certainly be playing for it," he said.

Double world champion Carlos Sainz has declared himself fit to return to action in Perth this weekend. The Spaniard severed tendons in his right shoulder in cycling accident in June - an injury which forced him to miss the New Zealand rally. He has undergone two months of intensive physiotherapy and said: "It is no problem. I will maybe drive a bit carefully on the first day. I'm just happy to be here." The four-day, 1600km event looks wide open with half a dozen drivers having an excellent chance to win.


MAIN ENTRIES
 1 Auriol/Giraudet    Toyota Celica
 2 Kankkunen/Grist    Toyota Celica
 3 Schwarz/Wicha      Toyota Celica
 4 McRae/Ringer       Subaru Impreza
 5 Sainz/Moya         Subaru Impreza
 6 Bourne/Sircombe    Subaru Impreza
 7 Delecour/Francois  Ford Escort
 8 Thiry/Prevot       Ford Escort
 9 Eriksson/Parmander Mitsubishi Lancer
10 Makinen/Harjanne   Mitsubishi Lancer

SCHEDULE
Friday   Stages 1-13  Perth-Collie-N Dandalup-Perth
Saturday Stages 14-21 Perth-Bunnings-Perth
Sunday   Stages 22-30 Perth-York-Perth


MANX INTERNATIONAL RALLY
Top 10 after stage 5:          mins secs
 1 Fisher/Kennedy Subaru Impreza 25:06
 2 McRae/Senior   Nissan Sunny   26:03
 3 Evans/Davies   Ford Escort    26:12
 4 Head/Harryman  Renault Clio   26:23
 5 McKinstry/Phil Ford Escort    26:24
 6 Kytolehto/Kapa Vauxhall Astra 26:26
 7 Llwell'n/G'rod Vauxhall Astra 26:31
 8 Meagher/Maher  Ford Escort    26:31
 9 Rowe/Harris    Peugeot 306    27:43
10 de Mevius/Fort Nissan Sunny   27:25




15.09.95

RALLY OF AUSTRALIA
Leaders after special stage 14 of 30:
                            hrs:mins.secs
 1 Kankkunen/Grist Toyota Cel  2:02.21
 2 McRae/Ringer    Subaru Imp  2:02.36
 3 Makinen/H'nne   Mitsubishi  2:02.44
 4 Eriksson/P'nder Mitsubishi  2:02.49
 5 Schwarz/Wicha   Toyota Cel  2:04.33
 6 Thiry/Prevot    Ford Escort 2:06.41
 7 Auriol/G'det    Toyota Cel  2:07.00
 8 Delecour/F'cois Ford Escort 2:07.53
 9 Fujimoto/Hertz  Toyota Cel  2:12.33
10 Ordynski        Mitsubishi  2:13.05

MANX INTERNATIONAL RALLY:- Welshman Gwyndaf Evans, driving a Ford Escort, leads the Manx International Rally after 22 of 29 special stages and a trouble-free run. Overnight leader Alister McRae first had problems with an engine misfire and then a grass bank as he slipped to third overall and second in Formula 2. Alain Oreille ran consistently fast all day but Renault Clio teammate Robbie Head was delayed with a high speed spin on a 90mph jump and an unscheduled gearbox change. Overall leader is Frank Meagher in the Group A8 Ford Escort Cosworth.



Top 10 after special stage 24: mins secs
 1 Meagher/Maher  Ford Escort   2:54:22
 2 Evans/Davies   Ford Escort   2:54:49
 3 McRae/Senior   Nissan Sunny  2:55:52
 4 Oreille/Boyere Renault Clio  2:56:30
 5 deMevius/F'tin Nissan Sunny  2:58:34
 6 Kytolehto/Kapa Vauxhall Astra2:58:53
 7 Llwell'n/G'rod Vauxhall Astra2:59:59
 8 Head/Harryman  Renault Clio  3:00:07
 9 Higgins/S'mons Honda Civic   3:04:43
10 Cathers/Noble  Subaru Imp    3:05:24




16.09.95
GLOBAL GTs:- Oxford's Andy Wallace took pole position for Sunday's four-hour Karcher Global GT Championship race at Silverstone in the McLaren F1 GTR. The 1988 Le Mans winner lapped in 1 min 52.748 secs just minutes before a heavy rainstorm flooded the circuit. Brazil's Maurizio Sala and Surrey's Ray Bellm made it an all-McLaren front row.

RALLY OF AUSTRALIA:- Juha Kankkunen took command on a dramatic first day after his closest World Championship rivals bowed out. The Finnish Toyota driver held the lead after 13 special stages, during which both Didier Auriol and Carlos Sainz were forced to withdraw. World Champion Auriol rolled his Toyota on stage 12, while a branch pierced the radiator of Sainz's Subaru. Closest challenger is Colin McRae, whose Subaru is just 17 seconds behind, despite hitting a bank at high speed in the morning. "It's hard to catch Kankkunen here," he said.

Leaders at end of day one: hrs:mins.secs
 1 Kankkunen/Grist Toyota Cel  2:03.58
 2 McRae/Ringer    Subaru Imp  2:04.15
 3 Makinen/H'nne   Mitsubishi  2:04.21
 4 Eriksson/P'nder Mitsubishi  2:04.27
 5 Schwarz/Wicha   Toyota Cel  2:05.11
 6 Thiry/Prevot    Ford Escort 2:08.21
 7 Delecour/F'cois Ford Escort 2:09.33
 8 Fujimoto/Hertz  Toyota Cel  2:14.14
 9 Ordynski        Mitsubishi  2:14.58
10 Bates           Toyota Cel  2:15.29

MANX INTERNATIONAL RALLY:- Alister McRae became the third member of the famous Lanarkshire rally driving family to add his name to the British Rally Championship trophy. His title was confirmed when he guided his Nissan Sunny GTi into third place overall in the Manx International Rally. The rally was won by Irishman Frank Meagher with Gwyndaf Evans, runner-up in the championship to McRae, second. Alister's father Jimmy won the title five times and his elder brother Colin twice. "Now I have my own reputation and the platform to aim for the World Championship," said McRae.


Final results after stage 29:   mins secs
 1 Meagher/Maher   Ford Escort    3:27:12
 2 Evans/Davies    Ford Escort    3:27:49
 3 McRae/Senior    Nissan Sunny   3:28:56
 4 Oreille/Boyere  Renault Clio   3:29:47
 5 de Mevius/F'tin Nissan Sunny   3:31:42
 6 Head/Harryman   Renault Clio   3:33:25
 7 Llewellin/G'rod Vauxhall Astra 3:34:20
 8 Higgins/S'mons  Honda Civic    3:39:27
 9 Cathers/Noble   Subaru Imp     3:40:01
10 Young/McAuley   Ford Escort    3:40:53

Final drivers' standings:
1 A McRae        Nissan      124 points
2 G Evans        Ford        109
3 G de Mevius    Nissan      100
4 A Oreille      Renault      98
5 D Llewellin    GM           86
6 M Lawn         GM           65

Manufacturers' standings:
1 Nissan         80 points
2 Ford           65
3 General Motors 58
4 Renault        52
5 Volkswagen     27
6 Peugeot        27




17.09.95
TOURING CARS:- Mercedes are to increase the protection on their vehicles in the German touring car championship following the death of British driver Keith Odor. Extra side-impact bars, more protection for the driver's head and hi-tech wrap-around seat and carbon-fibre plates will be fitted in future. Odor died last Monday after his Nissan was hit side-on by another car during a championship race in Berlin. Odor's crash was the second major accident involving touring cars this year. Australian driver Greg Hansford was killed in March.

GLOBAL GTs:- Andy Wallace and Olivier Grouillard, driving the McLaren F1 scored victory in the Norwich Union Empire Trophy four-hour endurance race at Silverstone. Wallace claimed the early lead but Enzo Calderari and Lilian Bryner in the Porsche proved superior as the weather conditions deteriorated. They took the lead on a flooded track which saw the safety car out for 20 minutes but as conditions improved so did the McLaren which regained control. Despite a stop/go penalty for speeding in the pit lane 15 minutes from the finish they won by 1 min 30 secs.


NORWICH UNION EMPIRE TROPHY
Silverstone Result after 4 hours:
                            hrs:mins.secs
 1 Wallace/Gr'ard   McLaren    4:00.50
 2 Ferte/Thevenin   Ferrari    4:02.21
 3 Olofsson/D Noce  Ferrari    4:02.23
 4 Zanardi/Portman  Lotus      4:02.32
 5 Nielsen/Bscher   McLaren    4:02.49
 6 Roessler/Burdell Porsche    @ 1 lap
 7 Morrison/Greas'  Porsche    @ 2 laps
 8 Raphanel/O-Jones McLaren    @:2 laps
 9 Wirdhein/Veerte  Porsche    @ 2 laps
10 Sala/Bellm       McLaren    @ 3 laps

RALLY OF AUSTRALIA:- Colin McRae is locked in a battle royale with Kenneth Eriksson after a thrilling second leg. Eriksson, whose best finish in Australia was second in 1989, held a four-second lead in his Mitsubishi Lancer after 17 stages. But McRae recovered ground over three fast, forested sections in the afternoon, taking a share of the lead in his Subaru Impreza. The overall lead changed five times and Juha Kankkunen, who began the day ahead, slipped back to fourth.


Leaders after special stage 21:
(end of leg two)           hrs:mins.secs
 1 McRae/Ringer    Subaru Imp  3:46.47
 2 Eriksson/P'nder Mitsubishi  3:46.47
 3 Makinen/H'nne   Mitsubishi  3:47.05
 4 Kankkunen/Grist Toyota Cel  3:47.51
 5 Schwarz/Wicha   Toyota Cel  3:50.06
 6 Thiry/Prevot    Ford Escort 3:56.47
 7 Fujimoto/Hertz  Toyota Cel  4:04.34
 8 Ordynski/Stacey Mitsubishi  4:06.59
 9 Bates/Taylor    Toyota Cel  4:10.24
10 Recalde/Christi Mitsubishi  4:11.03




18.09.95 - AUSTRALIAN RALLY
Scotland's Colin McRae improved his world title chances despite having to settle for second place behind Sweden's Kenneth Eriksson. The pair had been level overnight but Eriksson pulled clear by winning or finishing equal first on five the final day's opening seven stages. "We were first on the road and just went for it. The car and the team have been fantastic," said Eriksson. "The championship is more important and second place is good for the championship," commented McRae, who how lies second in the drivers' standings.


Final result after 30 stages:hrs:mins.secs
 1 K Eriksson  Swe Mitsubishi  4:53.59
 2 C McRae     GB  Subaru Imp  4:54.18
 3 J Kankkunen Fin Toyota Cel  4:55.54
 4 T Makinen   Fin Mitsubishi  4:57.26
 5 A Schwarz   Ger Toyota Cel  4:58.10
 6 B Thiry     Bel Ford Escort 5:10.51
 7 Y Fujimoto  Jpn Toyota Cel  5:16.36
 8 E Ordynski  Aus Mitsubishi  5:21.05
 9 N Bates     Aus Toyota Cel  5:24.31
10 J Recalde   Arg Mitsubishi  5:25.53

Driver's standings:
1 J Kankkunen Fin Toyota      62 pts
2 C McRae     GB  Subaru      55
3 D Auriol    Fr  Toyota      51
4 C Sainz     Sp  Subaru      50
5 K Eriksson  Swe Mitsubishi  48

Manufacturers' standings:
1 Toyota      260 pts
2 Mitsubishi  255
3 Subaru      222
4 Ford        184
Next round: Rally Catalunya-Costa Brava, October 23-25




20.09.95 - JOHN WATSON ON THE PORTUGUESE GP
The Portuguese Grand Prix at Estoril is one of the most popular in the calendar. Drivers like the variety of corners and engineers toil over the ideal set-up, confused by challenging for the pole position and a pit-stop influenced race. The technical quandary requires cars to run with high downforce yet provide a need to be able to overtake on the long downhill pit straight. So depending where you are on the grid will, in essence, dictate the choice of car set-up a team prefers.

To add to the excitement of this year's Grand Prix the top teams debut substantial technical changes since Monza two weeks ago. For Williams-Renault there is a B version of the FW17 with a revised rear suspension/gearbox package. This update will undoubtably distance the already crushing performance of the Williams-Renault from the opposition. Championship leaders Benetton believe changes to the front suspension of the B195 will provide a more easily set-up and consistent car. There are also subtle changes around the front wing.

It has become noticeable over recent Grands Prix that the Williams chassis is more user-friendly and easily dialled into track conditions. Benetton are oozing confidence that their changes will see them 'back at the front' throughout the weekend. The folk down at Woking are into the C version of the McLaren Mercedes-Benz. I don't believe any team has tried harder this year to return to the winner's podium than McLaren and their hope is that the C spec car will end their drought of victories.

Estoril provides the winter test venue for many teams. Before the start of this season Jordan Peugeot and Tyrrell-Yamaha had very strong testing results and looked set to split the top four teams. This has not happened. Both teams look forward to Estoril this weekend to reconfirm the potential those tests had promised. Of course, since the March tests these teams have not stood still, but neither has the opposition.

The championship is still wide open with five races left but Michael Schumacher clearly has the easier task. On the other hand Damon Hill must, at all costs, score maximum points. The key for Hill is to be on pole and lead from the start. His weakness will come if he has to race Schumacher. With both drivers under the microscope after recent on-track contact, the tight-to-overtake track will challenge their racing heads. The result after 71 laps could reflect the final outcome of the championship. Hill or Schumacher must "carpe diem".





21.09.95 - F1
Eddie Irvine and Rubens Barrichello have been confirmed as the Total Jordan Peugeot team's choice of drivers for next season. Team owner of the Silverstone-based outfit Eddie Jordan said he was delighted to retain their services. He said: "Over the past two years my view on Rubens and Eddie has been consistent. I have always said that they are two of the 'young bloods' of our sport - both champions of the future. They make a forceful combination."




22.09.95
F1: THE PORTUGUESE GP

Williams duo Damon Hill and David Coulthard dominated Friday's first qualifying session with the Englishman securing provisional pole late on. Hill was just one-tenth of a second quicker than his teammate with chief rival Michael Schumacher half a second further adrift. Hill be looking to repeat his performance on Saturday as he bids to reduce the German's 15 point lead in the championship standings. Schumacher had been the first to break the 1 minute 22 second barrier but the Williams pair hit back in style.

Damon Hill took provisional pole with a blistering run and then warned rival Michael Schumacher that there was better to come. "This is a good starting point. But we will attack even harder tomorrow," promised Hill. "If we can get an all Williams front row and have a healthy three-tenths of a second advantage then things are looking very promising," he added. The aerodynamically improved Williams has eclipsed the Benetton and Hill said: "They will have to get their heads down to some hard work."


Friday's qualifying times:    mins secs
 1 D Hill         GB  Williams 1:21.322
 2 D Coulthard    GB  Williams 1:21.423
 3 M Schumacher   Ger Benetton 1:21.885
 4 G Berger       Aut Ferrari  1:22.281
 5 J Alesi        Fr  Ferrari  1:22.656
 6 E Irvine       GB  Jordan   1:22.957
 7 M Hakkinen     Fin McLaren  1:23.064
 8 R Barrichello  Brz Jordan   1:23.142
 9 M Brundle      GB  Ligier   1:23.244
10 O Panis        Fr  Ligier   1:23.284
11 H Frentzen     Ger Sauber   1:23.485
12 J Herbert      GB  Benetton 1:23.786
13 M Blundell     GB  McLaren  1:24.583
14 U Katayama     Jpn Tyrrell  1:24.631
15 T Inoue        Jpn Footwork 1:24.883
16 M Salo         Fin Tyrrell  1:24.942
17 M Papis        It  Footwork 1:25.696
18 L Badoer       It  Minardi  1:25.746
19 P Lamy         Por Minardi  1:26.210
20 A Montermini   It  Pacific  1:27.659
21 R Moreno       Brz Forti    1:28.672
22 P Diniz        Brz Forti    1:29.137
23 J Deletraz     Swi Pacific  1:34.233
24 J Boullion     Fr  Sauber  14:20.150

Motor sport chiefs have dismissed a letter which alleged that Michael Schumacher and his Benetton team were cheating as a hoax. The letter, purportedly written by a "concerned race mechanic" in the Enstone-based team, had been sent to FIA president Max Mosley. It claimed that Benetton boss Flavio Briatore had ordered Schumacher to take Damon Hill out of last season's Grand Prix climax in Adelaide. An FIA spokesman said there was conclusive evidence that the letter was a hoax.



SUPERTOURING (Silverstone):-
Qualifying times for final two rounds:
 1 D Leslie   Honda Accord  1:00.758
 2 A Menu     Renault Lag   1:00.784
 3 W Hoy      Renault Lag   1:00.928
 4 P Radisich Ford Mondeo   1:00.966
 5 J Cleland  Vauxhall Cav  1:01.012
 6 S Harrison Peugeot 405   1:01.132
 7 R Rydell   Volvo 850     1:01.160
 8 J Kaye     Honda Accord  1:01.160
 9 J Bailey   Toyota Carina 1:01.233
10 T Harvey   Volvo 850     1:01.453

RALLYING: MINTEX NATIONAL SERIES:- The penultimate round of the Mintex National Rally, the Trackrod Forest Stages Rally, takes place on Saturday. David Gillanders leads the championship by just two points from Chris Mellors while Murray Grierson will be looking for his third win of the season.





23.09.95
F1: THE PORTUGUESE GP

David Coulthard upstaged Williams teammate Damon Hill to clinch pole position for Sunday's race. The Scotsman clocked 1 min 20.537 secs with Hill just 0.328 secs adrift to ensure a Williams front row. Chief rival Michael Scumacher failed to match the blistering pace set by the Didcot duo and had to be content with a second row spot alongside Gerhard Berger's Ferrari. Germany's Heinz Harald Frentzen surprised everyone with an outstanding performance in the Sauber to record the fifth fastest time.

David Coulthard will be doing Damon Hill no favours when he starts from pole in Portugal on Sunday. He dismissed speculation about team orders and said: "I fully intend to win the race. I didn't think I could catch Damon in qualifying so I'm very happy." Hill was disappointed but added: "David drove very well. On my last run I got held up. It could have been closer." Defending champion Michaal Schumacher admitted that his car was simply not fast enough to challenge. "I was right on the limit and there was no point in me doing any more. It is a struggle."


Final qualifying:              mins secs
 1 D Coulthard    GB  Williams 1:20.537
 2 D Hill         GB  Williams 1:20.905
 3 M Schumacher   Ger Benetton 1:21.301
 4 G Berger       Aut Ferrari  1:21.970
 5 H Frentzen     Ger Sauber   1:22.226
 6 J Herbert      GB  Benetton 1:22.322
 7 J Alesi        Fr  Ferrari  1:22.391
 8 R Barrichello  Brz Jordan   1:22.538
 9 M Brundle      GB  Ligier   1:22.588
10 E Irvine       GB  Jordan   1:22.831
11 O Panis        Fr  Ligier   1:22.904
12 M Blundell     GB  McLaren  1:22.914
13 M Hakkinen     Fin McLaren  1:23.064
14 J Boullion     Fr  Sauber   1:23.934
15 M Salo         Fin Tyrrell  1:23.936
16 U Katayama     Jpn Tyrrell  1:24.287
17 P Lamy         Por Minardi  1:24.657
18 L Badoer       It  Minardi  1:24.778
19 T Inoue        Jpn Footwork 1:24.883
20 M Papis        It  Footwork 1:25.179
21 A Montermini   It  Pacific  1:26.172
22 P Diniz        Brz Forti    1:27.292
23 R Moreno       Brz Forti    1:27.523
24 J Deletraz     Swi Pacific  1:32.769


SUPERTOURING (Silverstone):-

Qualifying times for round 24:
 1 J Cleland  Vauxhall Cav  1:00.677
 2 A Menu     Renault Lag   1:00.689
 3 P Radisich Ford Mondeo   1:00.718
 4 W Hoy      Renault Lag   1:00.781
 5 D Leslie   Honda Accord  1:00.872
 6 J Bailey   Toyota Carina 1:00.968
 7 K Burt     Ford Mondeo   1:01.051
 8 M Briggs   Vauxhall Cav  1:01.088
 9 R Rydell   Volvo 850     1:01.095
10 J Kaye     Honda Accord  1:01.232

Qualifying times for round 25:
 1 A Menu     Renault Lag   1:00.713
 2 W Hoy      Renault Lag   1:00.851
 3 D Leslie   Honda Accord  1:01.919
 4 P Radisich Ford Mondeo   1:01.069
 5 K Burt     Ford Mondeo   1:01.092
 6 J Cleland  Vauxhall Cav  1:01.126
 7 J Bailey   Toyota Carina 1:01.275
 8 J Kaye     Honda Accord  1:01.291
 9 M Neal     Ford Mondeo   1:01.450
10 T Sugden   Volvo 850     1:01.456

F.RENAULT:- Paula Cook became the first woman ever to take pole position in a single seat event at Silverstone with the fastest qualifying time in the international Formula Renault Sport Championship. She clocked 59.56 seconds at an average speed of 99.24 mph - improving the previous best set by reigning champion Guy Smith. Her brother David clocked the second fastest time making it the first ever brother/sister front row in British motorsport history.


RALLYING: Mintex National Series, Trackrod Forest Stages

Result after 10 special stages:mins secs
 1 Mellors/Goff    Escort Cos  1:07.18
 2 Milner/Turvey   Nissan Sun  1:07.56
 3 Gill'/Harris    Escort Cos  1:08.11
 4 Lyall/Rennie    Escort Cos  1:08.41
 5 Smith/Hughes    Lancia Del  1:09.12
 6 Hill/Boyles     Mit Galant  1:09.23
 7 Philliskirk/Sli Metro 6R4   1:10.12
 8 Kirtley/Geldart Sierra Cos  1:10.19
 9 Thompson/Thor'  Escort Cos  1:10.22
10 Moore/Foster    Subaru Imp  1:11.14




24.09.95

F1: THE PORTUGUESE GP
Provisional result after 71 laps:
                            hr:min.sec
 1 D Coulthard  GB  Williams  1:41.52
 2 M Schumacher Ger Benetton @  7.2 secs
 3 D Hill       GB  Williams @ 22.1 secs
 4 G Berger     Aut Ferrari  @ 1:24
 5 J Alesi      Fr  Ferrari  @ 1:25
 6 H Frentzen   Ger Sauber   @ one lap
 7 J Herbert    GB  Benetton @ one lap
 8 M Brundle    GB  Ligier   @ one lap
 9 M Blundell   GB  McLaren  @ one lap
10 E Irvine     GB  Jordan   @ one lap
11 R Bar'chello Brz Jordan   @ one lap


DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP:
 1 M Schumacher  Ger  Benetton  72 pts
 2 D Hill        GB   Williams  55
 3 D Coulthard   GB   Williams  39
 4 J Herbert     GB   Benetton  38
 5 J Alesi       Fr   Ferrari   34
 6 G Berger      Aut  Ferrari   28
 7 H Frentzen    Ger  Sauber    15
 8 M Hakkinen    Fin  McLaren   11
 9 M Blundell    GB   McLaren   10
10 O Panis       Fr   Ligier     8
== R Barrichello Brz  Jordan     8
12 M Brundle     GB   Ligier     7
13 E Irvine      GB   Jordan     6
14 J-C Boullion  Fr   Sauber     3
15 M Salo        Fin  Tyrrell    2


CONSTRUCTORS' CHAMPIONSHIP:
1 Benetton    100 points
2 Williams     88
3 Ferrari      62
4 McLaren      21
5 Sauber       18
6 Ligier       16
7 Jordan       14
8 Tyrrell       2
9 Footwork      1

Scot David Coulthard gave a faultless performance to win his first Grand Prix but Michael Schumacher extended his championship lead over Damon Hill. Coulthard led from start to finish and was never challenged as he clocked up his debut victory in 21 races. Hill's two-stop strategy appeared to have paid off as he led Schumacher with just nine laps to go. But the German Benetton driver overtook Hill on the chicane and stayed ahead to increase his lead over the Englishman to 17 points with four races remaining.

David Coulthard was delighted to have earned top place on the podium after his first ever Formula One victory. "It was a fantastic feeling and a warm relief," said the 23-year-old. "It's very important for my confidence to be a winner and to be a winner fairly and squarely." The win took Coulthard up into third place in the drivers' standings. Second-placed Michael Schumacher said it was too early to say if he had effectively won the championship. "A lot can happen in four races," he said.

Damon Hill said it would "take as miracle" to win the championship after Germany's Michael Schumacher extended his series lead from 15 to 17 points. "We've got a few more things to try but I think there's too much ground to make up now," conceded the Williams driver. "We went for a two-stop race because that's what we thought Michael would do. It nearly worked but my tyres were getting old and he caught me napping. But today was David Coulthard's day and he really deserved it. He's had a lot of near-misses and we're all really pleased that he got his first win."

Ukyo Katayama was taken to hospital after a horrifying crash at the start of the Portuguese Grand Prix. The Japanese Tyrrell Yamaha driver collided with Italian Luca Badoer and his car was thrown into the air across the narrow track and into the barriers. He climbed out of the car but collapsed on the track. He regained consciousness and was taken to hospital where it was reported he had no serious injuries. The race was immediately stopped and delayed for 25 minutes as organisers cleared the debris.

F1:- Four-times former champion Alain Prost cleared the way for David Coulthard to join McLaren next year when revealing he would not make a comeback next year. Prost, who last week took part in a Silverstone test for McLaren, announced his decision on French television while covering the Portuguese Grand Prix. Race victor Coulthard added to the speculation by confirming that he had a seat for next year and he would who it was with next week. The Woking-based McLaren team are scheduled to announce their driver line-up at the European GP next Sunday.


           Formula 3000  European Championship - Estoril
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pos  Driver                     Car                             Time
----------------------------------------------------------------------
 1   Tarso Marques/BR       Draco-Lola-Cosworth            1:11`49.521
 2   Emmanuel Clerico/I     Apomatox-Reynard-Cosworth          + 6.679
 3   Kenny Brack/S          Madgwick-Reynard-Zytec-Judd         16.044
 4   Jerome Policand/F      Danielson-Reynard-Cosworth		28.229
 5   Ricardo Rosset/BR      Super-Nova-Reynard-Cosworth         29.324
 6   Christian Pescatori/I  Durango-Reynard-Cosworth            53.288
 7   Vincenzo Sospiri/I     Super Nova-Reynard-Cosworth         57.043
 8   Marc Goossens/B        Nordic-Lola-Cosworth              1:15.449
 9   Marco Campos/BR        Draco-Lola-Cosworth                - 1 lap
10   Christophe Tinseau/F   Mythos-Reynard-Zytec-Judd          - 1
11   Fabrizio de Simone/I   Mythos-Reynard-Zytec-Judd          - 1
12   Garry Formato/ZA       Durango-Reynard-Cosworth           - 1
13   Peter Ohlson/S         Madgwick-Reynard-Zytec-Judd	       - 1
14   Christophe Bouchut/F   Nordic-Lola-Cosworth               - 1
15   Severino Nardozi/I     Omegaland-Reynard-Zytec            - 2

FL: Guillaume Gomez/F       DAMS-Reynard-Cosworth 1:32.421


------------------------------------------
Formula 3000  European Championship    Pts	
------------------------------------------
 1   Vincenzo Sospiri/I                 39
 2   Ricardo Rosset/BR                  29
 3   Marc Goossens/B                    18
 4   Kenny Brack/S                      15
     Tarso Marques/BR                   15
 6   Emmanuel Clerico/I                 13
 7   Alan McNish/GB                     11
 8   Guillaume Gomez/F                   8
 9   Christophe Bouchut/F                6
     Christian Pescatori/I               6
11   Jerome Policand/F                   4
     Marcos Gueiros/BR                   2
     Stephane Belloc/F                   2
15   Didier Cottaz/F                     1
     Christophe Tinseau/F                1

SUPERTOURING (Silverstone):- Renault snatched the manufacturers' title with a superb double by their two drivers in the final two rounds. Alain Menu and Will Hoy shared the wins in their Lagunas to beat Vauxhall into second place in the points table. The first race was a start to finish demonstration drive by Swiss ace Menu after a poor start by drivers' champion John Cleland who was on pole. Hoy took the honours in the next race and Menu's second place was enough to confirm him as runner-up in the drivers' championship.

Result of round 24:
 1 A Menu     Renault Lag   32:34.72
 2 W Hoy      Renault Lag   32:35.83
 3 J Cleland  Vauxhall Cav  32:40.47
 4 K Burt     Ford Mondeo   32:41.44
 5 D Leslie   Honda Accord  32:50.11
 6 M Briggs   Vauxhall Cav  32:51.37
 7 R Rydell   Volvo 850     32:54.44
 8 D Warwick  Alfa Romeo    32:56.15
 9 D Brabham  BMW 318       32:59.20
10 T Harvey   Volvo 850     33:00.77

Result of round 25:
 1 W Hoy      Renault Lag   31:55.43
 2 A Menu     Renault Lag   31:55.97
 3 J Cleland  Vauxhall Cav  31:58.62
 4 D Leslie   Honda Accord  32:01.23
 5 J Bailey   Toyota Carina 32:02.99
 6 T Sugden   Toyota Carina 32:13.48
 7 T Harvey   Volvo 850     32:15.02
 8 P Watts    Peugeot 405   32:15.64
 9 J Kaye     Honda Accord  32:16.28
10 D Warwick  Alfa Romeo    32:17.69


Drivers' championship:
1 J Cleland  Vauxhall Cav   348 pts
2 A Menu     Renault Laguna 305
3 R Rydell   Volvo 850      255
4 W Hoy      Renault Laguna 195
5 T Harvey   Volvo 850      176
6 P Radisich Ford Mondeo    130

Manufacturers' championship:
1 Renault                   419 pts
2 Vauxhall                  414
3 Volvo                     359
4 Ford                      236
5 Toyota                    172
6 BMW                       144

F3:- Championship rivals Ralph Firman and Oliver Gavin left Pembrey with a win apiece after rounds 14/15 of the British Formula Three championship. There are now just 20 points separating them with three rounds remaining with Firman having the advantage over Gavin.





28.09.95 - F1
Grand Prix veteran Martin Brundle has been confirmed as the replacement for Eddie Irvine in the Jordan team's driver line-up for the 1996 season. The 36-year-old from Kings Lynn will be renewing an association with team owner Eddie Jordan after driving for him in British Formula Three 12 years ago. Jordan will be Brundle's eighth team in a GP career which covers 140 races. His best finish was second in Italy three years ago and at Monaco in 1994. Irishman Irvine will drive for Ferrari next year after Jordan agreed to release him from his contract.

Martin Brundle looked forward to a "really bright future" after agreeing to join Jordan for the 1996 season. "Eddie (Jordan) and I had a really successful season together back in 1983; in fact that helped put me into Formula One in the first place," said Brundle, who is currently with Ligier. "He was perhaps the first Jordan driver to on and race in F1 and I have been trying to do a deal with him on and off for about five years. Martin's experience, both in terms of chassis and engine design, is vast," said team owner Jordan.

JOHN WATSON ON THE EUROPEAN GP

This weekend sees the Grand Prix world return to the Nurburgring following a ten-year absence. It is not the famous pre-war circuit, but one which has become a role model for many contemporary F1 venues. When the new "Ring" was opened eleven years ago, there were waves of shock-horror felt by traditionalists throughout the Grand Prix world. But all that the track designers, who felt disenchanted by the vociferous reaction, had done was pre-empt a modern circuit concept which the 1990s driver finds entirely satisfactory.

One significant change which has taken place on the 2.822-mile Nurburgring is at the Veedol chicane - now much slower and tighter than the original. However, a factor which will inevitably have a bearing on the weekend's events is the autumnal weather. The track is situated high in the Eifel mountains near Cologne and the drivers can expect anything from an indian summer to ice and snow on the same day. Combined with the restricted track time for practice and qualifying, the European Grand Prix could see another first-time winner emerge on Sunday.

Few drivers have experience of the new "Ring" but even those who have not driven on the billiard table-smooth surface should quickly get up to speed. However, David Coulthard has raced there in a Formula 3000 event and a combination of high confidence after his victory in Estoril and track knowledge might make him irrepressible. But Germans should prepare to witness the rise of their next Formula One star - Heinz-Harald Frentzen. His Sauber Ford has shown great improvement and Frentzen's toothy smile makes a welcome sight.

The true focus of the race will be on World Champion and current championship leader Michael Schumacher and his battle with Britain's Damon Hill. Hill's post-race comments in Portugal expressed a feeling of inevitability about the championship outcome, even though 40 points are still available for wins in the last four Grands Prix. Pragmatically, the title is ebbing away from Hill but you must fight until the end and one never knows what fate will deal out in Formula One racing. Schumacher may have crowd support but that alone cannot guarantee victory.

Damon Hill must triumph on Sunday to have any chance of usurping the title from championship leader and perennial adversary Michael Schumacher. Hill may also be unsure whether or not he can expect any co-operation in his quest for points from Williams teammate David Coulthard. Usually 'the boss' allows drivers to resolve these issues between themselves, the only proviso being "Don't crash into each other." However, I suspect that Hill will have to race both Schumacher and Coulthard for victory on Sunday.

The last Grand Prix to be held at the Nurburgring was won by Michele Alboreto in a turbo-charge Ferrari in 1985. But the Italian team's ability to challenge for victory ten years on could depend on the unpredictable weather conditions - wet and cold would suit them best. One team facing mounting pressure over the weekend are McLaren Mercedes Benz, who face growing expectations from the giant German manufacturers. A phenomenal amount of testing and development has been done - including two days at Estoril since last weekend.

Jordan-Peugeot are currently in the spotlight following Eddie Irvine's move to Ferrari for next season. The team are seeking a return of the form they lost last week and Irvine, in particular, would like to say thank you for the opportunity given him by team owner Eddie Jordan two years ago. Ukyo Katayama, whose Tyrrell flew through the air after a spectacular crash at Estoril, will not be driving this weekend at Nurburgring. Katayama was released from hospital on Monday but after much consideration, Gabriele Tarquni will stand in.





29.09.95 - F1: THE EUROPEAN GRAND PRIX
David Coulthard's impressive form continued as he claimed provisional pole at a rain-hit Nurburgring. The Scot took up where he left off in Portugal last Sunday by turning the tables on Damon Hill, edging him out by two-tenths of a second. Hill had shrugged off an oil leak in the revised FW17B car earlier in the day to set the fastest time during free practice. Michael Schumacher again found the Benetton wanting and had to settle for third fastest.



Friday's qualifying times:    mins secs
 1 D Coulthard    GB  Williams 1:18.738
 2 D Hill         GB  Williams 1:18.972
 3 M Schumacher   Ger Benetton 1:19.470
 4 G Berger       Aut Ferrari  1:19.821
 5 E Irvine       GB  Jordan   1:20.488
 6 J Alesi        Fr  Ferrari  1:20.521
 7 J Herbert      GB  Benetton 1:20.653
 8 H Frentzen     Ger Sauber   1:20.762
 9 M Hakkinen     Fin McLaren  1:20.866
10 M Blundell     GB  McLaren  1:20.909
11 R Barrichello  Brz Jordan   1:21.305
11 M Brundle      GB  Ligier   1:21.541
13 J Boullion     Fr  Sauber   1:22.059
14 O Panis        Fr  Ligier   1:22.062
15 M Salo         Fin Tyrrell  1:23.058
16 P Lamy         Por Minardi  1:23.328
17 M Papis        It  Footwork 1:23.689
18 L Badoer       It  Minardi  1:23.760
19 G Tarquini     It  Tyrrell  1:24.286
20 A Montermini   It  Pacific  1:24.696
21 P Diniz        Brz Forti    1:25.647
22 T Inoue        Jpn Footwork 1:26.667
23 R Moreno       Brz Forti    1:26.784
24 J Deletraz     Swi Pacific  1:27.853




30.09.95 - F1: THE EUROPEAN GRAND PRIX
David Coulthard claimed his third successive pole position after rain disrupted Saturday morning's final practice session. Coulthard's time from Friday was good enough to see off the challenge from Michael Schumacher, who was one of only seven drivers to improve their time. But the German is still third on the grid in the Benetton behind Damon Hill who failed to close the gap on his Williams teammate. Jean Alesi also improved as the track gradually dried during the session but is still fifth behind Berger and Irvine.

Flying Scot David Coulthard promised to go all out for victory after securing pole for the third successive GP. Williams teammate Damon Hill badly needs a win to keep his title challenge alive and Coulthard said: "I won't hold him up unreasonably if he is quicker." He added, however: "My first duty is to the team and to help them win the constructors title. But we have the same equipment and if I'm quicker, then I'm quicker." Hill was in optimistic mood, saying: "I'm very encouraged. I'm much happier with the balance of the car."

Rubens Barrichello and Max Papis could face suspensions after admitting taking medicines containing banned substances. The pair were randomly tested after Friday's first qualifying session and told the testers of the situation. The test results will be known in ten days time and could be banned but Michael Schumacher said drivers had not been told about possible punishments. Barrichello said: "I have flu and took the medicine as I cannot get into a racing car with a splitting headache." Papis said: "I did not think taking the medicine would cause a problem."



Final qualifying times:       mins secs
 1 D Coulthard    GB  Williams 1:18.738
 2 D Hill         GB  Williams 1:18.972
 3 M Schumacher   Ger Benetton 1:19.150
 4 G Berger       Aut Ferrari  1:19.821
 5 E Irvine       GB  Jordan   1:20.488
 6 J Alesi        Fr  Ferrari  1:20.510
 7 J Herbert      GB  Benetton 1:20.653
 8 H Frentzen     Ger Sauber   1:20.749
 9 M Hakkinen     Fin McLaren  1:20.866
10 M Blundell     GB  McLaren  1:20.909
11 R Barrichello  Brz Jordan   1:21.211
12 M Brundle      GB  Ligier   1:21.541
13 J Boullion     Fr  Sauber   1:22.059
14 O Panis        Fr  Ligier   1:22.062
15 M Salo         Fin Tyrrell  1:23.058
16 P Lamy         Por Minardi  1:23.328
17 M Papis        It  Footwork 1:23.689
18 L Badoer       It  Minardi  1:23.760
19 G Tarquini     It  Tyrrell  1:24.286
20 A Montermini   It  Pacific  1:24.696
21 T Inoue        Jpn Footwork 1:24.900
22 P Diniz        Brz Forti    1:25.157
23 R Moreno       Brz Forti    1:26.098
24 J Deletraz     Swi Pacific  1:27.853
Grand Prix schedules will be changed next year to have only one qualifying session on Saturday afternoons. Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone said the teams had agreed in principle that Friday's practice sessions will not count towards the starting grid. The change is to solve the problem faced by television companies when the second session is hit by wet weather and not many cars go out on the track. Only 12 laps will be allowed in the single qualifying session of one hour with 16 races scheduled for next season as opposed to this year's 17 races.