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01.11.96CATALUNYA RALLY:- Scotland's Colin McRae aims to set the record straight with victory in the three-day event, starting on Monday. He was forced to follow team orders and allow Spaniard Carlos Sainz to win last year, when both drove for Subaru. Sainz is now with Ford and McRae said: "It would be nice to put it all to rest - the doubt whether he could have won without team orders." World champion Tommi Makinen has Juha Repo as navigator, after Seppo Harjanne was hurt in their San Remo crash.
TOURING CARS:- Jo Winkelhock will attempt to end BMW's association with British touring car racing in the best possible fashion. The German outfit has decided to sever its links with the Auto Trader Championship and Winkelhock is aiming to exit on a high note by winning this weekend's RAC Tourist Trophy race. The 80-lap event has a 25,000 winner-takes-all prize on offer. Sunday's race has attracted 15 entrants including touring car aces John Cleland, Tim Harvey and Will Hoy.
02.11.96 - TOURING CARSAlain Menu will start from pole in Sunday's race at Donington Park after clocking 1 min 11.108 secs in his Renault Laguna. The Swiss driver, runner-up in the RAC Touring Car Championship for the third successive year, was over half a second quicker than Marco Werner. James Kaye was the best British driver with a lap of 1:11.687 in his Honda Accord to take third place on the grid. Will Hoy (1:11.954), John Cleland (1:12.059) and Joachim Winkelhock (1:12.082) complete the top six.
03.11.96F1:- China are aiming to break into the world of Formula One and hope to host a Grand Prix next year. Yu Bing Lin, vice-mayor of Zhuhai City said: "We are talking with FIA and realted agencies to try to win rights to host a race next year. We have the pre-requisites for hosting Formula One and have a circuit of international standard." The circuit bends around Zhuhai's Nanshan or Southern Mountain and is 2.68 miles long.
TOURING CARS (Tourist Trophy, Donington):- Alain Menu claimed the 25,000 first prize after winning Sunday's race. The 33-year-old took control of the 80-lap endurance race in his Renault Laguna from the outset and held on in front by a slender three-second margin. Menu's closest challenger throughout the afternoon was young British Volvo pilot Kelvin Burt, who beat off Audi's John Bintcliffe to take second place. "The car ran like clockwork, the team did a great job and to have the TT on my CV is a great honour," said Menu.
1 A Menu Swi Renault Lag 1:43.29.70 2 K Burt GB Volvo 850 @ 3.11 3 J B'cliffe GB Audi A4 @ 11.25 4 J Win'hock Ger BMW 320i @ 22.75 5 T Harvey GB Peugeot 406 @ 26.04 6 J Kaye GB Honda Accord @ 31.30 7 W Hughes GB Ford Mondeo @ 1 lap 8 E O'Brien GB Honda Accord @ 2 laps 9 J Br'stedt Swe Vauxhall Vec @ 4 laps 04.11.96 - CATALUNYA RALLYItalian Piero Liatti grabbed the outright lead in Spain's Catalunya Rally with a sizzling time on the last stage of the opening day. Liatti edged ahead of Belgian Bruno Thiry in a Ford and Subaru teammate Colin McRae in slippery conditions. Thiry dropped three seconds behind after making the wrong tyre choice on the last two stages. Fellow Belgian Freddie Loix, in a Toyota, took third place from McRae on the closing section.
Carlos Sainz's hopes of victory in front of his home fans ended when the Spaniard rolled his Escort and retired on stage two of the event. Sainz and co-driver Luis Moya careered into a ditch on an extremely slippery bend and although the pair righted the car, they could not restart the engine. Teammate Bruno Thiry fared better in the conditions he likened to black ice. "I saw Luis standing before the corner slowing us down. It was very slippery and just like black ice," said Thiry.
Positions after 6 of 18 stages: (end of day one) mins secs 1 P Liatti It Subaru 1:15.36 2 B Thiry Bel Ford Escort 1:15.39 3 F Loix Bel Toyota 1:15.41 4 C McRae Sco Subaru 1:15.42 5 T Makinen Fin Mitsubishi 1:16.11 6 O Gomez Sp Renault 1:16.25 7 K Eriksson Swe Subaru 1:16.26 8 R Burns Eng Mitsubishi 1:16.51 9 P Bernadini Fin Ford Escort 1:16.56 10 R Madeira Por Toyota 1:17.14 05.11.96F1:- British-based car makers Lola are returning to Formula One next season for the first time since 1993. The news ends months of speculation about whether the team, which has won five IndyCar titles, would return to top-level motor racing outside the US. Lola's Anne Hale said announcements on the team structure and driver line-up would be made "as and when necessary." The decision was confirmed after credit card company Mastercard agreed to back the new team with a four-year deal.
Former world champion Michael Schumacher has extended his contract with Ferrari to the end of the 1999 season, the team has announced. Schumacher joined Ferrari in 1995 and helped the team take second place in the Formula One constructors' world championship this season. His contract was due to expire at the end of the 1997 season. Ferrari confirmed that Eddie Irvine would carry on as the team's second driver with an option covering 1998.
CATALUNYA RALLY:- Colin McRae stepped up the pressure on Subaru teammate Piero Liatti of Italy in the Catalunya Rally. The Scottish driver moved from fourth to second place in the afternoon to cut Liatti's lead to three seconds in the final round of the World Championship. Rising Toyota driver Freddie Loix edged into third place ahead of fellow Belgian and early leader Bruno Thiry. Tommi Makinen, who has already clinched this year's world title, is well placed in fifth going into the final day.
Positions after 13 of 18 stages: mins secs 1 P Liatti It Subaru 3:08.50 2 C McRae Sco Subaru 3:08.53 3 F Loix Bel Toyota 3:09.22 4 B Thiry Bel Ford Escort 3:09.36 5 T Makinen Fin Mitsubishi 3:10.03 6 P Bern'dini Fin Ford Escort 3:11.03 7 K Eriksson Swe Subaru 3:11.09 8 O Gomez Sp Renault 3:11.54 9 R Madeira Por Toyota 3:12.30 10 A Medeghini Fin Subaru 3:13.24 06.11.96 - CATALUNYA RALLYColin McRae triumphed over Italian teammate Piero Liatti in the Catalunya Rally to give Subaru victory in the manufacturers' championship. Former world champion McRae started the last leg of the event only three seconds behind Liatti and increased the pressure on the penultimate stage. He said: "It was a bit of a close fight. There was never any breathing space but it was a good day for me. After the year we've had it's good to win the last two rallies."
Result after 18 stages: mins secs 1 C McRae GB Subaru 4:14.20 2 P Liatti It Subaru 4:14.27 3 B Thiry Bel Ford Escort 4:15.38 4 F Loix Bel Toyota 4:15.55 5 T Makinen Fin Mitsubishi 4:16.12 6 P Bern'dini Fin Ford Escort 4:17.30 7 K Eriksson Swe Subaru 4:18.01 8 O Gomez Sp Renault 4:18.22 9 R Madeira Por Toyota 4:19.19 10 A Medeghini Fin Subaru 4:20.58 FINAL DRIVERS' STANDINGS 1 T Makinen Fin Mitsubishi 123 pts 2 C McRae GB Subaru 92 3 C Sainz Sp Ford 89 4 K Eriksson Swe Subaru 78 5 P Liatti It Subaru 56 MANUFACTURERS' STANDINGS 1 Subaru 401 pts 2 Mitsubishi 322 3 Ford 299 09.11.96 - ITC Final qualifying times at Suzuka: mins secs 1 C Danner Ger Alfa Romeo 2:02.737 2 B Schneider Ger Mercedes 2:02.924 3 S Modena It Alfa Romeo 2:03.099 4 N Larini It Alfa Romeo 2:03.100 5 G Fisichella It Alfa Romeo 2:03.349 6 A Nannini It Alfa Romeo 2:03.476 7 B Maylander Ger Mercedes 2:04.756 8 G Tarquini It Alfa Romeo 2:04.999 9 D Franchitti GB Mercedes 10 J Magnussen Den Mercedes 10.11.96 - ITC (Suzuka)Opel clinched the manufacturers title when Uwe Alzen finished ninth in the first race at Suzuka. It completed a double for the team after Manuel Reuter clinched the drivers title two weeks ago. Britain's Dario Franchitti won the first race but his overtaking move on Christian Danner almost produced a pit-lane punch-up between team officials. Germany's Bernd Schneider sealed the runners-up spot with a third place and a win in Japan.
First race: mins:secs 1 D Franchitti GB Mercedes 38:23.290 2 C Danner Ger A Romeo 38:25.628 3 B Schneider Ger Mercedes 38:26.052 4 G Fisichella It A Romeo 38:26.221 5 S Modena It A Romeo 38:26.711 Second race: 1 B Schneider Ger Mercedes 37:43.447 2 G Fisichella It A Romeo 38:02.497 3 J Magnussen Den Mercedes 38:03.044 4 S Modena It A Romeo 38:11.604 5 A Nannini It A Romeo 38:11.674 DNF D Franchitti GB Mercedes Championship standings: Pts 1 M Reuter Ger Opel 218 2 B Schneider Ger Mercedes 205 3 A Nannini It A Romeo 180 4 D Franchitti GB Mercedes 171 5 JJ Lehto Fin Opel 148 6 G Fisichella It A Romeo 139 7 K Ludwig Ger Opel 130 8 U Alzen Ger Opel 119 9 HJ Stuck Ger Opel 112 10 J Magnussen Den Mercedes 97 Manufacturers standings: 1 Opel 349 pts 2 Alfa Romeo 340 3 Mercedes 305 11.11.96 - F1Martin Brundle fears his Formula One career could be over if his Jordan team sign Jean Alesi for next season. Frenchman Alesi had a disappointing first season with Benneton and has been linked with a move to Jordan - which could spell the end for Brundle. He said:"There is nowhere else I want to go and nothing I want to do but drive for Jordan next year. Suzuka could have been my final Grand Prix. But I don't think it will be, so don't write me off just yet."
12.11.96RALLYING:- Former world rally champion Colin McRae has received his MBE for services to motor sport from the Queen. "It's such an honour to receive this award and a great way to end the year," said the Scot.
F1:- Ferrari have broken off talks with Sauber about supplying engine technology to the Swiss-based team after details were leaked to the press.
14.11.96F1:- Damon Hill has escaped unhurt after crashing while testing tyres for his new Arrows team in Suzuka. The world champion lost control of his car at low speed on cold tyres as he exited the hairpin and spun round before hitting the trackside wall. The impact tore two corners off the car and wrecked the gearbox, forcing Arrows to abandon testing a day early. Hill was driving a Ligier for the test as he is too tall for the Arrows car which has still to be adapted for him.
RALLYING:- The Michelin Pilot Team Ford Escort Cosworth is set to make its farewell appearance in this year's Network Q RAC Rally with Ari Vatanen at the helm. Vatanen is no stranger to the Pilot Escort having driven it to victory on the Pirelli Rally in Cumbria in 1995. First seen in 1993, the striking blue and yellow Michelin Pilot car soon became the centre of attention on the British rally scene. Other Pilot drivers have included Francois Delecour and Robbie Head.
17.11.96 - F3: MACAU GPBritain's Ralph Firman won the Macau Grand Prix after the race was cut short when he triggered a pile-up on the final lap of the two-leg course. Firman, in a Honda-Mugen-powered Dallara, was ranked second after the first leg and emerged the combined winner in 1 hr 3 min 14.791 secs. Italian Max Angelelli, in an Opel Team BSR Dallara, was second and compatriot Jarno Trulli was third. Firman was chasing leader Trulli on the final lap when he hit a crash barrier.
hr mins secs 1 R Firman GB Dallara 1:03.14 2 M Angelelli It Dallara 1:03.19 3 J Trulli It Dallara 1:03.20 4 S Ayari Fr Dallara 1:03.22 5 T Coronel Hol TOM'S 1:03.24 6 N Heidfeld Ger Dallara 1:03.34 7 P dela Rosa Sp Dallara 1:04.00 8 A Couto Por Dallara 1:04.02 9 D Manning GB Dallara 1:04.05 10 G Smith GB TOM'S 1:04.20 20.11.96RALLYING:- Formula One veteran Martin Brundle crashed out during a preview run for the Network Q/RAC Rally. Brundle, preparing for his rally debut this weekend, was on a recce drive of one of the Welsh stages when he slid off an icy track and down a bank. The Ford Escort car - not the one Brundle will use in the three-day event which starts on Saturday - was damaged. He and co-driver Roger Freeman had to continue in a different car. Brundle said: "It's no big deal."
TOURING CARS:- Gabriele Tarquini will return to the Auto Trader RAC British Championship next season after signing to drive for Team Honda Sport. The Italian won the title in 1994 when he scored eight wins for Alfa Romeo. He said: "The Accord is already a winner and I know Prodrive is working very hard to make it the best."
"I'm delighted to be returning to Britain - I can watch as many Italian footballers in action here as at home," the 34-year-old added.
21.11.96RICHARD BURNS PREVIEWS THE RAC RALLY
Despite the absence of so many top stars, it's still going to be an exciting rally - for starters, the Toyota team is back after a year's ban. Juha Kankkunen leads Toyota's attack, he's won the RAC three times and his speed and experience makes him a hot favourite for further glory this year. Opposition comes from teammate Armin Schwarz and the Fords of Ari Vatanen and Jarmo Kytolehto. If Juha survives the rigours of the forests, I can't see him losing.
The major teams are concentrating on next year's expanded series, so the RAC spotlight falls on the 2-litre World Cup contenders. The championship goes down to the wire with SEAT, Renault and surprise packets Skoda still in the fray. Stir in most of the British series regulars - Gwyndaf Evans, Mark Higgins, Alister McRae and Robbie Head - and we're in for an epic battle. It's great to see ex-world champ Stig Blomqvist still rallying for Skoda.
BBC Top Gear's Tiff Needell is another familiar face in the Skoda camp and he's not the only man with Formula One experience trying his hand at rallying. Jordan GP star Martin Brundle is making his debut in a Ford Escort Cosworth. Martin's really in at the deep end and we cannot expect fireworks from him. He has one of the best cars but he'll do well to finish in the top ten. It would be like putting us into an F1 car and expecting us to be competitive. They are very different disciplines.
This year's RAC has a very different look. It's a three-day event this time, starting from Chester on Saturday. For the first time in my memory, the action begins in the fearsome Kielder Forest with some of the toughest special stages of the whole rally. Hopefully most of the front-runners will survive for the traditional Sunday spectator stages in the Midlands. The last day has a very early start and takes survivors into the Welsh Forests for some of the world's best stages.
Formula One star Martin Brundle is under no illusions about the test which lies ahead of him in his debut drive in the RAC Rally. The 38-year-old from Norfolk said: "If I was taking up mountain climbing, it's like starting with Everest, but I'm looking forward to it enormously. It is something I've always wanted to do - ever since my father competed in the 70s." He partners Roger Freeman and added: "My aim is to enjoy it and to finish."
Finnish ace Ari Vatanem will be at the wheel as the Michelin Pilot Escort Cosworth makes its farewell appearance. The striking blue and yellow Ford was driven into third place by Malcolm Wilson in 1993 and he has prepared the 300bhp car for its final appearance. Vatanen has a new co-driver in sports writer Michael Calvin. "He will be my third different partner in three events this year, but I won the first two, so I'm sure we are going do well on the RAC," said Vatanen.
Newly crowned British champion Gwyndaf Evans bids for his third successive 2-litre category win in the event. The 37-year-old dirves a special 'kit car' version of the 1997 Escort, featuring a new 250bhp engine and six-speed sequential gearbox. "With so many drivers from the 2-litre world championship taking part, we face much tougher opposition than before. Getting up at one am for the final leg on Monday is going to be tough after two days of hectic rallying," he said.
Robbie Head will be part of a four-car Maxi Megane challenge aiming to gyve Renault the 2-litre world title. Manufacturers count their best six scores from the eight rounds, leaving a complex picture which will finally resolve itself Monday. Seat and Skoda are also in the hunt and it promises to be a nail-biting climax with 65 points available. Gregoire de Mevius, Serge Jordan and Alan Oreille drive the three other Renaults in the event.
The 1996 Rally covers 1130.26 miles, including 257.71 miles on 27 timed special stages. The RAC is the biggest annual sporting event of any kind in Great Britain, with 2.5m spectators and more than 11,000 volunteer officials. Juha Kankkunen is the most successful driver taking part, having won in 1987, 1991 and 1993. France's Philippe Gobert will be the oldest driver at the start. Gobert, 56, has contested the rally 23 times.
Kingsland's John Perrott is this year's youngest competitor at the age of 19. He will be driving a Peugeot 106. The Fleet Street Award, for the most successful journalist in the event, has ten candidates including BBC Top Gear presenter Tiff Needell. Andrew Pinker has travelled from Western Australia for his RAC debut. He is a multiple winner in his homeland. Stig Blomqvist is the most experienced driver taking part. He won in 1971 and 1983 and has been second four times.
LEADING 1996 ENTRIES 1 Kankkunen/Grist Fin/GB Toyota 2 Lytolehto/Kapanen Fin Escort 3 Duncan/Williamson Ken Toyota 4 Vatanen/Calvin Fin/GB Escort 5 Schwarz/Giraudet Ger/Fr Toyota 6 Sibera/Gross Cz Skoda 7 Triner/Stahc Cz Skoda 8 Navarra/Casazza It Subaru 9 Evans/Davies GB Escort 10 A McRae/Senior GB VW Golf 11 Puras/Del Barrio Sp Seat 12 Medeghini/C'ferri It Subaru 14 Brundle/Freeman GB Escort 15 Rovapera/Repo Fin Seat 16 de Mevius/Fortin Bel Renault 17 Weber/Hiemer Ger Seat 23 Aitken-W/Mole GB Honda 24 Head/Thomas GB Renault 25 Higgins/Mills GB Nissan 27 Blomqvist/Melander Swe Skoda 28 Oreille/Brissart Fr Renault 30 Higgins/Park GB Honda 34 Hill/Boyles GB Mitsubishi 35 Lyall/Bennie GB Escort 54 Needell/ GB Skoda 55 Simmonite/Simmonite GB Escort SATURDAY: LEG ONE (Chester to Leeds) Starts at Chester Racecourse 7am Stage 1: Kershope - 10.32am Two miles south east of Newcastleton. Length: 23.07 miles Stage 2: Riccarton - 11.58am Eight miles south east of Hawick on B6357. Length: 9.01 miles Stage 3: Hyndlee - 12.23pm Near Hawick on B6357. Length: 6.65 miles Stage 4: Redesdale - 1.00pm South of A68 at Byrness. Length: 9.99 miles Stage 5: Falstone - 1.29pm 10 miles from Bellingham. Length: 11.64 miles Stage 6: Pundershaw - 2.28pm Three miles west of Bellingham. Length: 35.77 miles Stage 7: County Durham - 5.27pm Hamsterley, three miles west of A68. Length: 15.97 miles Stage 8: Croft Super Special7.12pm Stage 9: Croft Super Special7.21pm six miles south of Darlington. Length: 1.54 miles Finish of leg 22.18 - Leeds city centre. SUNDAY: LEG TWO (Leeds to Chester) Starts at Royal Armoury Museum 7.30am. Stage 10: Leeds - 8.03am Temple Newsam Park, near Leeds. Length: 2.66 miles Stage 11: Chatsworth - 9.27am Eight miles west of Chesterfield between Baslow and Bakewell. Length: 2.83 miles Stage 12: Clumber - 11.04am Three miles south of Worksop on B6034. Length: 5.11 miles Stage 13: Donington Park - 12.31pm Three miles west of M1 nr Castle Donington. Length: 3.86 miles Stage 14: Donington Park - 12.44pm Three miles west of M1 nr Castle Donington. Length: 3.86 miles Stage 15: Trentham - 2.37pm A34 two miles from M6 junction 15 Length: 2.51 miles Stage 16: Tatton - 3.25pm Three miles west of M1 nr Castle Donington. Length: 3.86 miles Stage 17: Chester - 4.28pm Three miles west of M1 nr Castle Donington. Length: 3.86 miles Finish of leg Chester Racecourse 5.33pm MONDAY: LEG THREE (Chester to Chester) Starts at the Racecourse, 2am Stage 18: Dyfnant - 4am Two miles west of Llanfyllin Length: 13.46 miles Stage 19: Sweet Lamb Hafren - 5.59am Six miles west of Llanidloes Length: 24.37 miles Stage 20: Myherin - 7.03am Three miles west of Devil's Bridge Length: 12.83 miles Stage 21: Pantperthog - 9.01am Two miles west of Machynlleth Length: 9.55 miles Stage 22: Dyfi - 9.31am Four miles north of Machynlleth Length: 14.61 miles Stage 23: Gartheiniog - 10.06am Seven miles north of Machynlleth Length: 9.14 miles Stage 24: Penmachno South - 12.13pm Three miles south of A5 at Conwy Falls Length: 8.32 miles Stage 25: Penmachno North - 12.34pm Two miles south of A5 at Conwy Falls Length: 6.26 miles Stage 26: Clocaenog West - 1.53pm Ten miles west of Ruthin Length: 3.75 miles Stage 27: Clocaenog East - 2.05pm Ten miles west of Ruthin Length: 12.05 miles FINISH OF RALLY AND PRESENTATIONS Chester Racecourse 4.30pm 22.11.96 - RALLYINGAlister McRae will return to the British Rally Championship next season at the wheel of a Volkswagen Golf GTi - in a bid to recapture his 1995 crown. The super Scots' signing for Volkswagen was announced at the Network Q RAC Rally headquarters in Chester. Lanark-based McRae will contest all rounds of next years' Mobil 1/Top Gear Championship, as well as the RAC Rally. "Signing with Volkswagen is ideal for me. I want to win the British Championship again," said McRae.
23.11.96 RAC RALLY Positions after 9 of 27 stages: hrs mins secs 1 A Schwarz Ger Toyota 2:19:51 2 M Kamioka Jpn Subaru 2:24:23 3 S Blomqvist Swe Skoda 2:30:27 4 K Holowczyc Pol Ford 2:32:26 5 G Evans GB Ford 2:33:33 6 P Sibera Cze Skoda 2:33:49 7 G De Mevius Bel Renault 2:36:25 8 J Easson GB Ford 2:39:40 9 J Jonasson Swe VW 2:40:29 10 M Higgins GB Nissan 2:41:11 2-LITRE TWO-WHEEL DRIVE hrs mins secs 1 S Blomqvist Swe Skoda 2:30:27 2 G Evans GB Ford 2:33:33 3 P Sibera Chz Skoda 2:33:49 4 G De Mevius Bel Renault 2:36:25 5 J Jonasson Swe VW 2:40:29 AMATEUR 1 J Easson GB Ford 2:39:40 2 J Jonasson Sw VW 2:40:29 3 G Cox GB Vauxhall 2:42:11 4 N Worswick GB Ford 2:46:39 5 I Joel GB Ford 2:47:24Rally favourite Juha Kankkunen made a disastrous start to his crack at the title as he made an early exit. Hazardous weather conditions forced him to slide off on special stage 3 and he rolled his Toyota in the process. A broken alternator belt led to a blown head gasket and that finally put him out of the rally. Toyota's Armin Schwartz is currently leading, although the German is also starting to find the freezing conditions difficult to handle.
182 crews left Chester on Saturday morning to start this year's rally. Ford's Ari Vatanen slid off the road, damaging the steering and losing 17 minutes. Grand Prix star Martin Brundle took nearly nine minutes longer to complete the first stage than rally leader Armin Schwarz, but was happy to have completed his first test.
Juha Kankkunen's return to rallying was short-lived, with his Toyota sliding off and rolling in SS3, forcing his retirement. Co-driver Nicky Grist was able to warn following Toyota driver, Ian Duncan of the slippery corner. Ford driver Kytolehto also fell fowl of the same icy corner, losing about 15 minutes.
Ari Vatanen also joined the early list of retirements from stage 3. Two miles in he hit a rock and damaged the front right wheel. He carried on with help from spectators but ran into trouble on the next road section, getting stuck in a ditch.
Alister McRae's comment from SS5 was "The car's really good on gravel... pity there's no gravel!" Mobil 1 Champion Gwyndaf Evans said on SS5, "Even in sixth gear I'm spinning the wheels!" Kenyan Ian Duncan has never experienced snow and ice before and is finding it hard to "get a good rhythm going". Martin Brundle has not had things easy. He slid off in SS3 and had to be helped back on by Louise Aitken-Walker.
LEEDS HISTORIC RALLY Positions after 7 stages: hrs mins secs 1 McRae/Crawford Porsche 911 1:21.25 2 Karlan/Gust'ssn Porsche 911 1:24.31 3 Trajbold/T'bold Porsche 911 1:26.56 4 Powley/Goff Porsche 911 1:30.55 5 Johnson/Grace Volvo PV544 1:32.56 6 Sellberg/H'sson Volvo PV544 1:33.14 7 Bean/Frazer Ford Lotus 1:34.46 8 Kermode/McBride Morris Mini 1:35.41 9 Bor'lini/Pozz'i Porsche 911 1:36.51 10 Bell/Watson Porsche 911 1:38.34 24.11.96 - RAC RALLY Positions after 17 of 27 stages: (end of second leg) hrs mins secs 1 A Schwarz Ger Toyota 2:53:52 2 M Kamioka Jpn Subaru 2:59:03 3 S Blomqvist Swe Skoda 3:06:35 4 P Sibera Cz Skoda 3:11:20 5 K Holowczyc Pol Ford 3:11:28 6 G De Mevius Bel Renault 3:13:29 7 J Easson GB Ford 3:14:09 8 M Higgins GB Nissan 3:17:22 9 H Rovanpera Fin Seat 3:19:27 10 E Weber Ger Seat 3:22:28 2-LITRE TWO-WHEEL DRIVE hrs mins secs 1 S Blomqvist Swe Skoda 3:06:35 2 P Sibera Cz Skoda 3:09:13 3 G De Mevius Bel Renault 3:11:28 4 M Higgins GB Nissan 3:15:22 5 H Rovanpera Fin Seat 3:17:26 AMATEUR 1 J Easson GB Ford 3:14:09 2 N Worswick GB Ford 3:23:06 3 D Buckley GB Subaru 3:23:38 4 I Joel GB Ford 3:25:17 5 J Porter GB Mitsubishi 3:25:23Toyota Castrol's German driver Armin Schwarz continued to dominate as the field was decimated by wintry weather. Slick Schwarz extended his lead to over five minutes on the mainly tarmac spectator stages. "We had to complete the day on just one set of tyres, on stages whose condition changed from ice to soft snow and then wet tarmac. It has been very difficult because of this," enthused Schwarz.
The demanding conditions at this year's event have accounted for many of the top drivers, including Ford's Gwyndaf Evans and Renault driver Robbie Head. Both slid off at the same point in special stage 11 at Chatsworth, hitting a tree stump and rolling heavily. Gavin Cox, after reaching 9th overall in his Vauxhall, failed to finish stage 16 when his driveshaft failed. Mark Higgins found the conditions more to his taste. He said: "This is more like proper rallying."
The Skodas of Stig Blomqvist and Pavel Sibera made light of the treacherous roads on the second leg. Sibera said: "Our tyres are working now - the rain is much better than ice." With the demise of Robbie Head, Renault are struggling to match the Skodas, needing to beat them in order to take the 2-litre World Championship. Seat are also in the hunt for the championship and they are climbing steadily up the leaderboard, though Armin Schwarz looks to be in control.
The first stage on Monday, SS18 Dyfnant has been cancelled due to the snowy conditions. The cars will still leave Chester at the original time of 2am. They will still reach SS19, Sweet Lamb Hafren at 05.59 after servicing. The rest of the route, although affected by snow and ice, remains open. The cars are expected to finish back in Chester at 4.30pm on Monday.
LEEDS HISTORIC RALLY:- Jimmy McRae, driving navigator Beatty Crawford's 1965 Porsche 911, overcame tricky conditions to seal his second successive victory. The 560 mile route was covered by snow and ice but McRae emerged from the 13 special stages ahead of second-placed Norwegian Monty Karlan. The flying Scot dominated Saturday's leg to build up a lead he never looked like relinquishing. Jan Trajbold from the Czech Republic was third and Roger Powley was fourth.
25.11.96 RAC RALLY Positions after 27 of 27 stages: hrs mins secs 1 A Schwarz Ger Toyota 4:46:50 2 M Kamioka Jp Subaru 4:54:42 3 S Blomqvist Sw Skoda 5:02:02 4 M Higgins GB Nissan 5:09:11 5 G De Mevius Bel Renault 5:11:20 6 J Easson GB Ford 5:13:59 7 D Buckley GB Subaru 5:16:54 8 H Rovanpera Fin Seat 5:20:40 9 E Weber Ger Seat 5:22:24 10 R Baumschlager Aus VW 5:23:25 11 N Worswick GB Ford 5:23:26 12 J Porter GB Mitsub' 5:26:38 13 R Duckworth GB Subaru 5:27:26 14 B Lyall GB Subaru 5:27:49 15 I Joel GB Ford 5:29:24 16 T Gardemeister Fin Nissan 5:31:54 17 D Higgins GB Honda 5:33:11 18 J Reynolds GB Honda 5:38:39 19 J Panton GB Toyota 5:39:46 20 T Cathers GB Subaru 5:40:26 21 V Wetton GB Mitsub' 5:42:01 22 B Stewart GB Ford 5:43:38 23 S Egglestone GB Peugeot 5:43:53 24 B Munster Bel Skoda 5:46:28 25 D Humphreys GB Ford 5:46:59 26 F Dor Cz Subaru 5:47:58 27 B Green GB Ford 5:49:06 28 T Bengry GB Mitsub' 5:53:47 29 G Jones GB Nissan 5:55:01 30 J Sharpe GB Peugeot 5:58:49 31 B Kollevold Nor Peugeot 6:01:17 32 J Dale GB Peugeot 6:04:35 33 G Smith GB Ford 6:04:51 34 J Leckie GB Ford 6:05:25 35 D Stewart GB Mazda 6:06:08 36 S Hymas GB Peugeot 6:10:26 37 P Snell GB Ford 6:11:08 38 B Gill GB Ford 6:11:13 39 T Jardine GB Ford 6:11:50 40 D Whitehurst GB Vauxhall 6:16:13 41 A Anwar Ken Mitsub' 6:16:48 42 M Stoschek Ger Mitsub' 6:17:15 43 A Wheatley GB Peugeot 6:17:22 44 A Hall GB Mitsub' 6:19:15 45 S Chapman GB Vauxhall 6:19:43 46 A Blenkhorn GB VW 6:20:48 47 B Armstrong GB Seat 6:23:25 48 I Knight GB Peugeot 6:25:04 49 K Williams GB Vauxhall 6:25:52 50 A Larkin GB Peugeot 6:29:20 51 J Smith GB Opel 6:31:15 52 M Fisher GB Nissan 6:34:10 53 J Lay GB Ford 6:36:26 54 T Needell GB Skoda 6:36:28 55 L Allfrey GB Peugeot 6:37:45 56 D Jennings GB Skoda 6:40:30 57 G Presswell GB Vauxhall 6:53:26 58 R Gravestock GB Vauxhall 6:57:32 59 M Bowcott GB Vauxhall 6:58:09 60 M Burdon GB Peugeot 6:58:37 61 W Clarke GB Peugeot 7:00:20 62 E Graham GB Peugeot 7:00:49 63 P Littler GB Vauxhall 7:04:23 64 F Font AND Seat 7:05:35 65 T Ferris GB Peugeot 7:05:46 66 C Exton GB Honda 7:11:01 67 C Tilly GB Peugeot 7:12:23 68 L Armstrong GB Vauxhall 7:12:43 69 P Thomas GB Vauxhall 7:20:13 70 K Kanao Jpn Subaru 7:20:42 71 C Knifton GB Peugeot 7:20:51 72 N Pollitt GB Peugeot 7:23:08 73 D Johnson GB Proton 7:24:26 74 N Andrew GB Ford 7:24:53 75 S Nicholls GB Peugeot 7:29:54 76 M Fowle GB Peugeot 7:31:03 77 D Boden GB Mazda 7:35:36 78 S Nutter GB Peugeot 7:38:54 79 M Cawthra GB Skoda 7:41:15 80 M Jaques GB Vauxhall 7:52:46 81 A Corner GB Peugeot 8:21:56 2-LITRE TWO-WHEEL DRIVE hrs mins secs 1 S Blomqvist Swe Skoda 5:02:02 2 M Higgins GB Nissan 5:09:11 3 G De Mevius Bel Renault 5:11:20 4 H Rovanpera Fin Seat 5:20:40 5 E Weber Ger Seat 5:22:24 AMATEUR 1 J Easson GB Ford 5:13:59 2 D Buckley GB Subaru 5:16:54 3 N Worswick GB Ford 5:23:26 4 J Porter GB Mitsubishi 5:26:38 5 R Duckworth GB Subaru 5:27:26Armin Schwarz overcame a late technical problem to win the Rally by nearly eight minutes from Masao Kamioka. The German Toyota driver had led from the very first stage with no hitches before hitting trouble on stage 25. His power steering failed and he was penalised 40 seconds after arriving late for the final stage. But the European champion had such a huge lead over his Japanese rival that he was never in danger of surrendering the title.
Armin Schwarz was a happy man after ending his spell with Toyota by winning the RAC Rally. "It's great to end the season this way, and I'm pleased that my relationship with Toyota has been concluded with a win," he said afterwards. "I could afford to back off a little, but didn't want to get too far from my normal rhythm. That's when you increase the chance of going off." The German will drive for the Ford team in 1997.
Mark Higgins flew through the Welsh stages in the Nissan, fighting up to fourth overall and top Brit home. Fellow Nissan driver Gardemeister won his class by 36 minutes, on his first ever RAC Rally. Between them, they also helped the Nissan Motorsports Europe team to collect the team award ahead of Seat, Ford, VW, Skoda and Honda. The Ladies Award was finally won by Andrea Hall in the Mitsubishi, who had to tackle the last two stages with gearbox problems.
Martin Brundle's bid to finish the rally went up in flames on stage 19. He was forced to retire when his Ford Escort Cosworth caught fire at Myherin in mid-Wales, but Brundle and co-driver Roger Freeman escaped serious injury. A Ford spokesman said: "The car hit something hard and stopped within inches, turning on its side. "The turbo was still running and flames started coming from the engine, prompting Martin and Roger to clamber out of the car as quickly as possible."
Martin Brundle said he had been taught a lesson after his rally ended on stage 19 when his caught fire. "I have certainly learned rallying the hard way but would love to come back and do it again," he said. "We were running beautifully through the stage and were catching the car in front when we reached a corner. I did not know the stage well and drove into a deep culvert and hit a vertical face. We got out pretty quick and the car is now looking pretty sad."
Garage mechanic Jeremy Easson produced a remarkable drive to give Ford victory in the Group N showroom category. The Oakham driver finished sixth overall, two places behind leading Briton Mark Higgins. British ladies champions Stephanie and Rachel Simmonite fell foul of the Welsh forests when they crashed on stage 19. "It wasn't a bad crash but we stopped with the car on its side, wedged against two trees and we couldn't get out," said Stephanie.
Gwyndaf Evans was released from hospital in Chesterfield on Monday following his second leg crash. The 37-year-old Welshman was detained overnight suffering from severe whiplash after his Ford Escort hit a tree stump and turned over. "I had a fairly uncomfortable night but I'm a different man today," said the British champion. "I can't move my head to the right because my neck is stiff but I should be fine in a couple of days."
50-year-old veteran Stig Blomqvist brought the Skoda Felicia Kit Car home in a remarkable third overall and secured first in the 2-litre class. The demise of Pavel Sibera on the third day handed victory in the 2-litre World Championship to Seat, who after a season-long battle, took the title by just nine points. Top Gear presenter Tiff Needell finished 54th in his Skoda after dropping back to 123rd on Saturday.
Renault's Gregoire de Mevius finished an excellent third in F2, securing second place in the World Championship from Skoda, by just one point. The four car team from Renault had been whittled down to one remaining car, and at one point it looked as though clutch failure might end that one's chances. The time lost fixing the clutch allowed Nissan driver Mark Higgans to gain fourth place overall, second in F2. The two Seats of Rovanpera and Weber held onto their top ten places.
Robbie Head signed a new contract to drive for Renault Dealer Rallying in the 1997 British Rally Championship. After the disappointment of his crash in Chatsworth on Sunday, Head is now "absolutely delighted". "Next year will be my best chance of winning the British Championship. The Maxi Megane and team are showing all the right signs." he added.
RALLY RETIREMENTS:- 1 SS 4 Juha Kankkunen/Nicky Grist Off/Engine problem 2 SS 4 Jarmo Kytolehto/Arto Kapanen Off/Head gasket 6 SS21 Pavel Sibera/Petr Gross Con rod 3 SS 7 Ian Duncan/David Williamson Did not complete stage 4 RS 1 Ari Vatanen/Mike Calvin Engine failure 7 SS 9 Emil Triner/Pavel Stahc Did not complete stage 9 SS12 Gwyndaf Evans/Howard Davies Rolled in stage 10 RS 7 Alister McRae/David Senior Brakes 11 SS 1 Jesus Puras/Carlos Del Barrio Did not complete stage 14 SS19 Martin Brundle/Roger Freeman Crash/Fire in car 19 SS 4 Karamjit Singh/Allen Oh Did not complete stage 20 RS11 K Holowczyc/M Wislawski OTL 23 SS5 Louise Aitken-Walker/C Mole Did not complete stage 24 SS11 Robbie Head/Bryan Thomas Rolled in stage 28 SS20 Alain Oreille/Bruno Brissart Electrical problems 29 RS9 Jorgen Jonasson/Nicholas Beech Did not restart 31 SS 6 Serge Jordan/Jack Boyere Did not complete stage 36 RS 4 Neale Dougan/Chris Wood Did not reach SS5 39 SS 2 Jock Armstrong/Dave Williams Did not complete stage 43 SS 4 Geoff Smith/Ryland James Did not complete stage 44 RS16 David Mann/Mike Kidd Electrical failure 52 SS 6 Stephen Petch/Peter Croft Did not complete stage 56 SS19 S Simmonite/R Simmonite Off in stage 59 SS 2 Glyn Jones/Huw Lewis Did not complete stage 60 SS16 Gavin Cox/Stephen Griffiths Driveshaft 64 SS16 James Paterson/Steve Harris Did not complete stage 65 SS20 Paul Dyas/Paul Morris Driveshaft 66 SS20 Stephen Green/Alan Thomas Driveshaft 67 SS 6 Geoffrey Bennett/Darren Loveys Did not complete stage 68 SS16 Malloch Nicoll/Robert Lumgair Did not complete stage 73 RS 3 Steve Hunt/Michael McGrogan Did not reach SS4 74 SS19 Clive Sisson/Kevin Savage Crankshaft 101 RS 7 Innes Marlow/Alyson Marlow Did not complete stage 103 SS20 Paul Griffiths/Shaun O'Gorman Off in stage 106 SS 4 Richard Worts/Cath Phillipson Did not complete stage 111 SS 3 Paul Northall/Peter Joy Off in stage 123 SS 1 Mark Wadman/Andrew Garrett Did not complete stage 125 RS13 Graham Coffey/Malcolm Roberts Did not reach 128 SS15 Steven Clark/Phil Sandham Water logged 130 RS20 Simon Rippon/David Battensby Gear linkage 131 SS 1 James Vickers/Andrew Pemberton Did not complete stage 132 SS 6 Edward Roberts/Dave Tomley Did not complete stage 133 SS 3 Andy Senior/Dave Ellis Off in stage 134 RS13 Danny Fois/Mike Wiseman Did not complete stage 140 RS 4 Michael Plant/Robert Plant Did not reach SS5 147 SS 4 Mick Hands/Mike Dawson Did not complete stage 149 SS 1 John Perrott/Ross McNeill Steering 150 SS 1 Rupert Hopcraft/R Pomfret Driveshaft 152 SS11 Steve Bowers/Mike Jones Gearbox 154 SS 4 Steve Barnsley/Chris Neale Did not complete stage 156 SS12 Emlyn Wynne/Phil Spilsted Off in stage 163 RS 4 Pablo Raybould/P Vandenberghe Did not reach SS5 164 SS 2 Philippe Gobert/Carl Surensen Article 19.11.1 166 SS 6 Maurice Bennetts/Adam Brodel Did not complete stage 168 SS 1 Martin Shields/Richard Wise Off in ditch 169 SS21 Alan Mayhew/Bryan Newton Stopped in stage 170 RS16 Stephen Lee/Stanley Graham Did not reach SS17 171 SS 4 Peter Cuthbert/Nick Kennedy Did not complete stage 174 SS 6 Michael Chinchen/Andy Juniper Did not complete stage 177 SS20 Peter Goodwin/Robin Hernaman Off in stage 178 RS13 Tim Mason/Paul Burns Did not reach SS13 179 SS 4 Bill Douglas/Paul Ohren-Bird Did not complete stage 181 SS 2 Martin Sansom/Phil Wells Off in stage 184 SS 5 Red Barry/Phil Gooch Did not complete stage 187 SS 6 David Knowles/Jason Austin Did not complete stage 189 SS 1 David Blades/Shaun White Did not complete stage 190 SS 2 Tina Powell/Heather Harden Off in stage 191 SS 2 Mike Kelly/Derek Scofield Off in stage 192 SS14 Clive Taylor/Jim Ward Did not complete stage 198 SS16 Peter Hopkins/Jason Curtis Off in stageF1:- Heinz-Harald Frentzen set the fastest time in his latest test for his new Williams-Renault team. Damon Hill's replacement edged out teammate Jacques Villeneuve with a best time of one minute, 21.15 seconds in completing 25 laps. Villeneuve, the early favourite for next year's title, was slightly slower with a best of 1:21.17 in his 30 laps. The testing took place at the Portuguese circuit of Estoril.
World constructors' champions Williams have served a writ on chief designer Adrian Newey in a dispute over the terms of his contract. Williams said in a prepared statement that Newey was on leave and the dispute was "an internal matter". Newey is reported to have received a number of attractive offers from other teams, including McLaren. He forms a partnership with technical director Patrick Head and is well advanced in designing the 1997 car.
European FIA Formula 3000 champion Jorg Muller of Germany has joined world champion Damon Hill's TWR Arrows Formula One team as a test driver. Arrows chief Tom Walkinshaw said: "We have been impressed by Jorg's lap times and by the quality of his feedback and also by the speed with which he has gelled with other members of the team. He has slotted seamlessly into our test programme and is doing much to ease the burden our heavy test schedule places on Damon and Pedro Diniz."
26.11.96 - F1An Italian prosecutor has obtained leave to indict F1 team manager Frank Williams and five others for alleged manslaughter over the death of Ayrton Senna, according to reports in Italy. The report, which could not be confirmed, said technical manager Patrick Head and race director Roland Bruynseraede also faced trial over Senna's death at San Marino in 1994. Senna, three times world champion, suffered fatal head injuries when his Williams car smashed into a wall.
The Williams F1 team were shocked by claims manager Frank Williams would be indicted for alleged manslaughter over the death of Ayrton Senna in 1994. An Italian agency report was the first the team heard of the news and they were attempting to contact their Italian lawyers to verify the story. Williams media manager Jane Gorard said: "We have not had any official communication from our representatives in Italy. We do not know when we can make an announcement.
The new Stewart Grand Prix team has won undisclosed backing from the Malaysian government for their Formula One debut next year. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said the agreement would boost Malaysia's bid for its own Grand Prix in 1999. "This is the first time a nation state, as a whole has become directly involved in sponsoring world motor sport at the highest level," he said. The Malaysian flag will be displayed on the front of the two Stewart cars.
27.11.96 - F1The Williams F1 team are awaiting official confirmation that staff could be indicted for alleged manslaughter over the death of Ayrton Senna. Team boss Frank Williams, technical director Patrick Head and head designer Adrian Newey are among six men who will be indicted, according to reports. Senna died after crashing into a wall at Imola in May 1994. Bologna magistrate Diego di Marco said a final decision would be taken in the next few days.
Imola managing director Federico Bendinelli has admitted he expects to be indicted following an inquiry into Ayrton Senna's fatal crash in 1994. Bendinelli and Williams team boss Frank Williams are reported to be among six men who will face charges. "I am not worried because I am innocent," Bendinelli told the Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper. "I'm confident because the track was certified... Everything was in order on the unfortunate day that Senna died."
Jackie Stewart has sought to dampen down expectations that his brand new Formula One team will set the Grand Prix world alight next year. The Scot will unveil the new Stewart Ford car on December 10, with Reubens Barrichello and teammate Jan Magnussen beginning testing in January. But Stewart does not want to raise unfulfillable goals. "You can't expect to run before you can walk and crawl. You have to be realistic," said Stewart.
Top Formula One designer Ross Brawn is set to link up again with Michael Schumacher at Ferrari after leaving his job with the Benetton team. He was the man behind the successful Benetton cars which helped Schumacher to the 1994-95 world titles. Schumacher joined Ferrari last season and is expected to mount a strong challenge to Williams in 1997. Brawn will take up his new post as Ferrari technical director next week.
Former Grand Prix star Alessandro Nannini is part of a consortium which has taken a majority share holding in the Minardi team. Nannini's promising career was ruined six years' ago when he severed his right arm in a helicopter crash.
Austrian Gerhard Berger escaped unhurt after his Benetton-Renault crashed on the rain-soaked Estoril circuit during the third day of Formula One tests. Berger's car slid off at the sharp "parabolica" corner following intermittent rain and hit the safety rails, damaging the car's left flank. Fastest time of the day, 1:20.33, was posted by Canadian Jacques Villeneuve. Michael Schumacher was second after clocking 1:20.85 in his Ferrari, while brother Ralf recorded 1:22.38.
29.11.96MANSELL:- Nigel Mansell rates his prospects of returning to competitive action next season as 60-40...but that may not be behind the wheel of a Formula One car. Mansell, who won the World Championship in 1992 and the IndyCars title a year later, is being coy about his plans. He said: "I'm being patient. I cannot confirm nor deny there are a lot of opportunities, not just in Formula One. I've had a number of offers from America for next year, exciting ones and another offer in another Formula."
F1:- Tyrrell Racing have signed Dutch driver Jos Verstappen for the 1997 Formula One season. They are the 24-year-old former karting champion's fourth GP team, having previously driven in 31 races for Benetton, Simtek and Arrows. "The chance to join the Tyrrell team was an opportunity not to be missed," said Verstappen, who will partner Finn Mika Salo. The new Tyrrell-Ford 025 is currently under construction in Surrey.
Ferrari's deal to produce engines for Formula One team Sauber is on again. The Italian company announced that the two teams will form an independent company to work on engines for use by Sauber in the next two seasons. Ferrari had said earlier in the month they had pulled out of the deal because the Swiss group had been premature in announcing the agreement.
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