01.08.98F1: THE GERMAN GP
McLaren-Mercedes have confirmed that Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard have been retained for the 1999 season. The news comes after the Finn and the Scot clocked the two fastest qualifying times for Sunday's Hockenheim race. Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug said: "I am delighted to have David and Mika as our team pairing for the fourth consecutive year." Team chief Ron Dennis added: "There is every indication that they are going to get even better."
Ralf Schumacher upstaged brother Michael in front of their adoring home fans ahead of Sunday's race. The Jordan driver was fourth quickest in qualifying but the Ferrari star was ninth and the elder Schumacher admitted: "It is very disappointing. We also had a difficult practice session. Now is not the moment to be in ninth position. Also, Eddie (Irvine) was over a second off the front row so we have a problem. We must work and work and work on it."
Damon Hill was delighted with his fifth-place grid position for Sunday's grand prix. Hill has yet to earn a point this season but told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I am very, very pleased and it is down to Honda really. "We have this new engine and Honda have been working really hard. We have now got more horsepower. I am not even worrying about winning points I just want to do the best I can for the team."
David Coulthard was hit by problems during qualifying but still managed to set the second fastest time. He said: "I had an electrical problem but second place is not too bad and it still gives me a chance of a win." Championship leader Mika Hakkinen is on pole and the Finn added: "I came to Hockenheim to win and that is what I will be trying to do." Ricardo Rosset did not take part in qualifying on medical advice after a practice crash and will miss the race.
Saturday's qualifying times: min secs 1 M Hakkinen Fin McLaren 1:41.838 2 D Coulthard GB McLaren 1:42.347 3 J Villeneuve Can Williams 1:42.365 4 R Schumacher Ger Jordan 1:42.994 5 D Hill GB Jordan 1:43.183 6 E Irvine GB Ferrari 1:43.270 7 A Wurz Aut Benetton 1:43.341 8 G Fisichella It Benetton 1:43.369 9 M Schumacher Ger Ferrari 1:43.459 10 H-H Frentzen Ger Williams 1:43.467 11 J Alesi Fr Sauber 1:43.663 12 J Herbert GB Sauber 1:44.599 13 R Barrichello Brz Stewart 1:44.776 14 J Trulli It Prost 1:44.844 15 T Takagi Jpn Tyrrell 1:44.961 16 O Panis Fr Prost 1:45.197 17 M Salo Fin Arrows 1:45.276 18 P Diniz Brz Arrows 1:45.588 19 J Verstappen Hol Stewart 1:45.623 20 S Nakano Jpn Minardi 1:46.713 21 E Tuero Arg Minardi 1:47.265 * R Rosset did not take part after advice from medical officialsTOURING CARS (Thruxton):- Anthony Reid and Championship leader Rickard Rydell will share the pole position honours on Sunday. Redi's Nissan will start from the front of the grid for the Feature race with Rydell's Volvo at the sharp end of the Sprint line-up. Reid's pole time shattered the Thruxton BTCC qualifying record by more than a tenth of a second. Rydell pipped Reid to pole in the One-Shot Showdown session by two-tenths of a second.
Round 17 qualifying times (Sat):mins secs 1 R Rydell Swe Volvo 1:15.916 2 A Reid GB Nissan 1:16.183 3 A Menu Swi Renault 1:16.377 4 Y Muller Fr Audi 1:16.518 5 J Thompson GB Honda 1:16.573 6 D Leslie GB Nissan 1:16.594 7 J Plato GB Renault 1:16.635 8 G Morbidelli It Volvo 1:16.688 9 J Bintcliffe GB Audi 1:16.877 10 D Warwick GB Vauxhall 1:17.128 Round 18 qualifying times (Sat):mins secs 1 A Reid GB Nissan 1:15.492 2 J Thompson GB Honda 1:15.866 3 R Rydell Swe Volvo 1:16.020 4 A Menu Swi Renault 1:16.058 5 Y Muller Fr Audi 1:16.121 6 J Bintcliffe GB Audi 1:16.216 7 P Kox Hol Honda 1:16.621 8 J Plato GB Renault 1:16.842 9 D Warwick GB Vauxhall 1:16.847 10 T Harvey GB Peugeot 1:16.910ULSTER RALLY:- Gwyndaf Evans held off determined challenges from both Alister McRae and Martin Rowe to win the Stena Line Ulster Rally. This keeps his title hopes alive for the final round, the Sony Manx Rally in September, when he and Rowe will have the chance to win the championship. SEAT team boss Gary Savage commented: "When we signed Gwyndaf we talked about possibly winning a rally. We have now won three and are knocking on the door of the title."
Manxman Martin Rowe will head to his home event with high hopes of repeating last year's performance when he won the rally. Rowe said: "It is going to be close on the Isle of Man. The stages suit our car better than the narrow lanes here." Renault team-mate Tapio Laukkanen led the rally briefly on leg one until a spin cost him several seconds. "This has been one of the most eventful days of my career. I'm amazed to have made it to the finish," he admitted.
RESULT after 19 stages:
(interim) hr min sec
1 Evans/Davies SEAT 2:52:15
2 Rowe/Ringer Renault 2:53:09
3 McRae/Senior Volkswagen 2:53:23
4 Baumschlager/Wicha Volkswagen 2:58:22
5 O'Callaghan/Harris Ford 2:59:33
6 Laukkanen/Jarvi Renault 3:00:59
7 Ipatti/Kajula Mitsubishi 3:02:43
8 Dale/Bargery Peugeot 3:03:49
9 Woodside/Harryman Mitsubishi 3:03:52
10 Wearden/Agnew Honda 3:04:59
DRIVERS STANDINGS
1 Rowe 153
= Evans 153
3 McRae 128
4 Laukkanen 107
5 Wearden 102
MANUFACTURERS STANDINGS
1 SEAT 188
2 Renault 179.5
3 Volkswagen 161.5
4 Ford 135
5 Vauxhall 129
BRITISH GTs (Donington):-
Saturday's qualifying times:
1 O'Rourke/Sugden McLaren GT1 1:04.628
2 Greasley/Wallinder Porsche GT1 1:05.281
3 Needell/Bailey Lister GT1 1:05.615
4 Ulrich/Flux Lister GT1 1:05.670
5 Evans/Hewland Lister GT1 1:07.372
6 Campbell-W/Portman Harrier GT1 1:08.284
9 Luby/Dean Chrysler GT2 1:09.807
F.PALMER AUDI (Donington):-
Round 5 qualifying times (Sat):
min secs
1 J Wilson GB 1:21.207
2 D Turner GB 1:21.914
3 R Tarling GB 1:22.237
4 D Faulkner Ire 1:22.340
5 B Wirdheim Swe 1:22.521
6 S White Aus 1:22.653
7 S Nakazawa Jpn 1:22.705
8 F Maluhy Brz 1:23.105
9 R Yasukawa Jpn 1:23.148
10 E Redfern GB 1:23.153
F.VAUXHALL JUNIOR (Thruxton):-
Round 11 qualifying (Sat): min secs
1 A Pizzonia Brz 1:19.232
2 R Lyons GB 1:19.560
3 J Fourie SA 1:19.784
4 T Scheckter SA 1:19.913
5 L Walker GB 1:20.011
6 M Paviovic Yug 1:20.181
VAUXHALL VECTRA CHALLENGE (Thruxton):-
Round nine qualifying (Sat): min secs
1 M Blair GB 1:26.807
2 S Graves GB 1:26.818
3 F Figuieredo Brz 1:26.863
4 J Yeomans GB 1:27.321
5 G Coomes GB 1:27.683
6 P Sears GB 1:28.189
RENAULT SPIDER CUP (Thruxton):-
Round 10 qualifying (Sat): min secs
1 D Vercoe 1:25.823
2 A Priaulx 1:26.326
3 J Hunter 1:26.760
4 S Wiseman 1:27.535
5 S Hill 1:28.050
6 N Hart 1:28.830
F.RENAULT SPORT (Thruxton):-
Round 10 qualifying (Sat): min secs
1 V Meira Brz 1:14.536
2 D Bell GB 1:14.537
3 A Coelho Brz 1:14.558
4 T Mullen GB 1:14.681
5 J Font Yug 1:14.937
6 T Sriachavanon Th 1:15.264
FORD FIESTA'S (Thruxton):-
Round nine qualifying (Sat): min secs
1 S Clarke 1:36.092
2 C Stancombe 1:36.369
3 R Claydon 1:36.426
4 P Cate 1:36.695
5 N Gordon 1:36.737
6 A Morrison 1:36.751
F.FORD (Thruxton):-
Round nine qualifying (Sat): min secs
1 J Button 1:18.000
2 D Wheldon 1:18.379
3 T Sisley 1:18.866
4 R Liddell 1:18.908
5 D Hayes 1:18.925
6 N Kiesa 1:19.054
RALLYING:- Two spectators were killed in the Madeira Wine Rally in Lisbon after an accident involving a driver.02.08.98F1: THE GERMAN GP
Damon Hill's fourth-place finish gave him his first points since he was second for Arrows in the Hungarian Grand Prix a year ago. "It was a fighting finish and we were not far off a podium place," he said. "It is something to get your teeth into and we are getting closer to the front. It gives us a chance to work on some small points that make a difference. We have been competitive all weekend and it was great for the team for both cars to get in the points."
Mika Hakkinen's lead over title rival Michael Schumacher has increased to 16 points after his second straight win. However, the McLaren star was hit by fuel consumption problems in the latter part of the race and admitted: "I started losing speed. "I was very concerned and also thought David Coulthard might overtake me when I went in for my pitstop." Schumacher was fifth and said: "We were not competitive for the whole weekend and there was nothing we could do."
McLaren star David Coulthard admitted that he blew his chance of victory in the pits. He finished second behind team-mate Mika Hakkinen once again but said: "I thought I could get past Mika when he went in for his pitstop. I got held up by two cars and then got frustrated and tried to make it up but over-ran the pit area and lost time. It is very difficult racing against someone in the same car because you have very similar set-ups."
Jacques Villeneuve was third to secure his first podium finish since he won the world title in Jerez last year. The Canadian, who is leaving Williams for the new British American Racing team next season, said: "It felt great. I knew Mika Hakkinen had a problem so kept pushing to try and accentuate it but then something broke in my car as well and I had to slow down. However, we kept pace with the McLarens and it is good to be on the podium again."
Ralf Schumacher's two-stop strategy did not pay off but he still managed to net a point for Jordan with sixth place. Team chief Eddie Jordan revealed: "Ralf felt he had a chance of leading the race with two stops but was held up by Jacques Villeneuve in front of him. "He was able to keep Ralf at bay. It was a great drive by both Ralf and Damon Hill but a lot of the credit must go to Honda. They have made great strides and what they have achieved is remarkable."
Heinz-Harald Frentzen's hopes of points in his home race were hampered by his unimpressive qualifying performance. After finishing ninth in the race, the German admitted: "Unfortunately, I was too slow in qualifying so only secured 10th position. "In front of me during the race nothing happened at all. "Nobody spun, nobody crashed, so I did not have a chance to gain ground. It was a pretty boring race - no chance of a battle - but my car was reliable."
Stewart-Ford duo Rubens Barrichello and Jos Verstappen will want to forget this race as both failed to finish. Verstappen said: "I am very disappointed. This is the third race in a row where I have not finished. "I was trying to push the car but I was struggling for traction, particularly in the slower sections of the circuit." Ford motorsport director Martin Whitaker added: "This weekend had been looking good, so it is sad both drivers had to stop with similar problems."
Tyrrell's Toransuke Takagi put Saturday's accident behind him to finish 13th. Takagi was Tyrrell's only driver because Ricardo Rosset had to pull out of the qualifying session on medical advice after a practice crash. "It feels good to have finished well after my big shunt," said Takagi. Managing director Dr Harvey Postlethwaite said: "His position does not do justice to his race with Jos Verstappen and Mika Salo."
Eddie Jordan is hopeful that Damon Hill will stay with his Silverstone-based team for the 1999 campaign. Hill has been linked with the new British American Racing team outfit but Jordan said: "I would be very disappointed if he did not stay. It was always structured to be a two- year deal." Hill's team-mate Ralf Schumacher has often overshadowed Hill this season but Jordan added: "Ralf had already had a year with the team."
Result after 45 laps: hr min sec 1 M Hakkinen Fin McLaren 1:20.47.9 2 D Coulthard GB McLaren 1:20.48.4 3 J Villeneuve Can Williams 1:20.50.5 4 D Hill GB Jordan 1:20.55.1 5 M Schumacher Ger Ferrari 1:21.00.5 6 R Schumacher Ger Jordan 1:21.17.7 7 G Fisichella It Benetton 1:21.19.0 8 E Irvine GB Ferrari 1:21.19.6 9 H-H Frentzen Ger Williams 1:21.20.7 10 J Alesi Fr Sauber 1:21.36.3 11 A Wurz Aut Benetton 1:21.45.9 12 J Trulli It Prost one lap 13 T Takagi Jpn Tyrrell one lap 14 M Salo Fin Arrows one lap 15 O Panis Fr Prost one lap 16 E Tuero Arg Minardi two laps Not classified: laps completed 17 J Herbert GB Sauber 37 18 S Nakano Jpn Minardi 36 19 R Barrichello Brz Stewart 27 20 J Verstappen Hol Stewart 24 21 P Diniz Brz Arrows 2 DRIVERS' STANDINGS 1 M Hakkinen Fin McLaren 76 pts 2 M Schumacher Ger Ferrari 60 3 D Coulthard GB McLaren 42 4 E Irvine GB Ferrari 32 5 A Wurz Aut Benetton 17 6 J Villeneuve Can Williams 16 7 G Fisichella It Benetton 15 8 H-H Frentzen Ger Williams 8 9 R Barrichello Brz Stewart 4 = R Schumacher Ger Jordan 4 10 J Alesi Fr Sauber 3 = D Hill GB Jordan 3 = M Salo Fin Arrows 3 13 J Herbert GB Sauber 1 = P Diniz Brz Arrows 1 = J Magnussen Den Stewart 1 CONSTRUCTORS' STANDINGS 1 McLaren-Mercedes 118 pts 2 Ferrari 92 3 Benetton 32 4 Williams-Mecachrome 24 5 Jordan 7 6 Stewart 5 7 Sauber-Petronas 4 = Arrows 4TOURING CARS (Thruxton):- Anthony Reid and Alain Menu, the two main rivals of championship leader Rickard Rydell, shared the victory spoils in rounds 17 and 18 on Sunday. Reid took advantage as pole-placed Rydell spun his wheels at the start of the Sprint to storm ahead and he held onto his lead all the way to the end. The Feature race was much closer before Menu took the lead on the 22nd lap and ended more than two seconds ahead. But two third-place finishes for Rydell was enough to increase his overall lead.
Round 17 results (Sun): mins secs 1 A Reid GB Nissan 29:07.171 2 A Menu Swi Renault @ 3.488 3 R Rydell Swe Volvo @ 5.844 4 J Thompson GB Honda @ 6.555 5 D Leslie GB Nissan @ 6.970 6 Y Muller Fr Audi @ 7.215 7 D Warwick GB Vauxhall @ 8.744 8 G Morbidelli It Volvo @10.152 9 P Radisich NZ Peugeot @17.712 10 W Hoy GB Ford @20.638 Round 18 results (Sun): mins secs 1 A Menu Swi Renault 48:16.489 2 D Leslie GB Nissan @ 2.253 3 R Rydell Swe Volvo @ 7.175 4 G Morbidelli It Volvo @ 9.934 5 J Thompson Fr Audi @10.055 6 A Reid GB Nissan @10.512 7 P Knox Hol Honda @20.025 8 J Bintcliffe GB Audi @20.344 9 T Harvey GB Peugeot @25.289 10 Y Muller Fr Audi @30.101 DRIVER STANDINGS (after 18 rnds): 1 R Rydell Swe Volvo S40 186 pts 2 A Menu Swi Renault Lag 141 3 A Reid GB Nissan 140 4 J Thompson GB Honda Accord 137 5 J Plato GB Renault Lag 114 CONSTRUCTOR STANDINGS 1 Nissan 199 pts 2 Volvo 195 3 Renault 190 4 Honda 157 5 Vauxhall 125NASCAR:- Jeff Gordon earned the biggest payday in US auto racing history with a win in the Brickyard 400 stock car race at the Indianapolis Speedway. The $1,637,625 prize money, which included a $1m bonus, exceeded the amount won by Arie Luyendyk for winning the Indy 500 in 1997. Gordon, the defending NASCAR champion, led the race for 97 of the 160 laps.
BRITISH GTs (Donington):- Race result (Sun): mins secs 1 Greasley/ Porsche GT1 51:03.984 Wallinder 2 Sugden/ McLaren GT1 51:04.978 O'Rourke 3 Ulrich/ Lister GT1 51:14.672 Flux one lap 4 Needell/ Lister GT1 51:24.896 Bailey one lap 5 Campbell-W/ Harrier GT1 52:07.608 Portman one lap 6 Luby/ Chrysler GT2 51:34.931 Dean two laps 7 Koene/ Lotus GT2 51:50.371 Astley two laps 8 Morrison/ Porsche GT2 51:51.554 Lister two lapsF.PALMER AUDI (Donington):- Ireland's Damien Faulkner won round five as he took advantage of the reversed grid system. Faulkner's fourth fastest qualification time meant he started on pole from where he lead all the way to the end.
Round 5 result (Sun): mins secs 1 D Faulkner Ire 17:35.636 2 J Wilson GB 17:47.184 3 D Turner GB 17:51.678 4 B Wirdheim Swe 17:51.989 5 S White Aus 17:52.068 6 R Tarling GB 17:53.017F.FORD (Thruxton):- Jenson Button claimed his fourth victory of the season to extend his lead of the championship to six points. The Somerset teenager fended off Daniel Wheldon throughout the 13 lap race with teammate Derek Hayes in third.
Round nine leading results: min secs 1 J Button 18:50.435 2 D Wheldon 18:52.328 3 D Hayes 18:53.613 4 R Liddell 18:55.056 5 T Sisley 18:59.170 6 M Ambrose 18:59.340F.RENAULT SPORT (Thruxton):- Points leader Aluizio Coelho overtook Tim Mullen and Vitor Meira at the same time to clinch victory at Thruxton. Meira retired but Mullen hung on for second despite briefly going off the track with Doug Bell when both clashed on the final corner.
Round 10 result (Sun): min secs 1 A Coelho Brz 17:41.269 2 T Mullen GB 17:46.730 3 D Bell GB 17:46.867 4 J Font Yug 17:56.255 Star Cup (top two): 5 R Kerr GB 18:00.457 6 G Jones GB 18:02.729F.VAUXHALL JUNIOR (Thruxton):- Richard Lyons won round 11 in dominant style and closed the gap on championship leader Antonio Pizzonia. Pizzonia led from pole but two laps later Lyons took the lead and held on to win by a big margin.
Round 11 results (Sun): mins secs 1 R Lyons GB 16:11.565 2 T Scheckter SA 16:14.620 3 L Walker GB 16:16.743 4 A Pizzonia Brz 16:18.235 5 J Fourie SA 16:18.528 6 M Paviovic Yug 16:19.381FORD FIESTA'S (Thruxton):- Neil Hose became the seventh different winner of a Fiesta Championship race this season with this victory. He grabbed the lead when Daniel Buxton, Peter Cate, Rae Claydon and David Gibson collided at the chicane and then snatched it back from Alan Morrison.
Sunday's round nine result: min secs 1 N Hose 19:42.476 2 A Morrison 19:43.889 3 N Gordon 19:44.682 4 S Clarke 19:49.811 5 P Cate 19:51.701 6 M Tegerdine 19:52.903 VAUXHALL VECTRA CHALLENGE (Thruxton):- Round nine result (Sun): mins secs 1 M Blair GB 17:49.606 2 D Pinkney GB 17:56.658 3 G Coomes GB 17:57.048 4 P Sears GB 18:01.341 5 C Boon GB 18:04.193 6 R Meadon GB 18:08.032 RENAULT SPIDER CUP (Thruxton):- Round 10 result (Sun): mins secs 1 D Vercoe 17:09.560 2 J Hunter 17:09.846 3 N Hart 17:10.278 4 A Priaulx 17:10.527 5 D Eaves 17:13.048 6 T Masini 17:20.705 03.08.98F1:- South African sports minister Steve Tshwete is convinced a grand prix will be held in Kyalami next year, despite problems over tobacco advertising. He said: "We will have the race. We want to clear every hurdle in getting Formula One here." A bill banning tobacco advertising in South Africa is expected to become law by the end of the year but it could be phased in for certain sports. Kyalami near Johannesburg was the venue for the last South Africa race in 1993.
David Coulthard believes McLaren team- mate Mika Hakkinen will win the World Championship - and he will not do anything to wreck the Finn's chances. Coulthard, second behind Hakkinen in Germany, admits he will not give up his battle to win races but added: "I have to bear in mind the Championship. McLaren have had a few lean years and I know what the title means to them. I want to end the season on a high but if Mika is leading I am not going to try anything risky."
DRIVERS' STANDINGS 1 M Hakkinen Fin McLaren 76 pts 2 M Schumacher Ger Ferrari 60 3 D Coulthard GB McLaren 42 4 E Irvine GB Ferrari 32 5 A Wurz Aut Benetton 17 6 J Villeneuve Can Williams 16 7 G Fisichella It Benetton 15 8 H-H Frentzen Ger Williams 8 9 R Barrichello Brz Stewart 4 = R Schumacher Ger Jordan 4 10 J Alesi Fr Sauber 3 = D Hill GB Jordan 3 = M Salo Fin Arrows 3 13 J Herbert GB Sauber 1 = P Diniz Brz Arrows 1 = J Magnussen Den Stewart 1 CONSTRUCTORS' STANDINGS 1 McLaren-Mercedes 118 pts 2 Ferrari 92 3 Benetton 32 4 Williams-Mecachrome 24 5 Jordan 7 6 Stewart 5 7 Sauber-Petronas 4 = Arrows 4BRITISH RALLYING:- Mike Brown will drive a works SEAT Ibiza in next year's Mobil 1 British Rally Championship. The 26-year-old from Buckinghamshire has dominated the SEAT Finance Super Six series this season. He will be a team-mate of Gwyndaf Evans, one of two drivers still in with a chance of winning the Mobil 1 title this year. Now he has taken the Super Six crown, Brown aims to use the remaining two rounds to gain more experience.
CHAMPION SPARK PLUG WORLD RANKING Driver ratings (August 3) Points 1 A Zanardi It Champ Car 1063 2 M Schumacher Ger Formula One 1061 3 M Hakkinen Fin Formula One 1002 4 J Gordon US NASCAR 953 5 M Martin US NASCAR 777 6 D Jarrett US NASCAR 766 7 D Coulthard GB Formula One 759 8 J Villeneuve Can Formula One 734 9 E Irvine GB Formula One 729 10 J Vasser US Champ Car 717 05.08.98TOURING CARS:- Next year's Auto Trader British Touring Car Championship will feature floodlit night racing in the mid-July meeting at Snetterton.
RAC:- The Royal Automobile Club has appointed Michael Limb as its new chairman, replacing Sir John Rogers.
07.08.98TYNESIDE STAGES:- John Price could win the Safety Devices National Macadam Championship crown if he secures a good result on Sunday. The Metro 6R4 driver has already earned four maximum scores from the first five rounds and is 43 points ahead of his nearest rival Terry Rooke.
Top starters: 1 John Price MG Metro 6R4 2 Chris Griffiths Subaru Impreza 3 Terry Rooke Ford Escort Cos 4 David Turnbull Ford Escort Cos 5 David Robson Ford Escort Cos 6 Tom Morris MG Metro 6R4 F.PALMER AUDI (Brands Hatch):- Leading test times: 1 T Serjala Fin 43:847 2 D Faulkner Ire 43:855 3 J Wilson GB 43:906 4 J Moro Brz 43:947 5 F Maluhy Brz 44:030 6 R Tarling GB 44:042 7 I James GB 44:045 8 D Turner GB 44:047 9 S White Aus 44:056 10 P Clarke GB 44:196CHAMP CARS:- Mark Blundell goes into the 13th round of the series still looking for his first victory of the season. The Briton won three CART races last year and rates the Mid-Ohio track as one of the best in the world. "It is one of my favourite American circuits," he said. "It is interesting, with plenty of elevation changes and a variety of high and low-speed turns. It can be a very tricky place to race because it is a technical track that always keeps you thinking."
08.08.98 - CHAMP CARS (Mid Ohio)Scottish star Dario Franchitti made the most of his last qualifying lap as he took pole for Sunday's Miller Lite 200 in Lexington. The 25-year-old clocked his fastest lap in a track record 1:05.679 in the KOOL Reynard Honda. It was his third pole of the season and means he has been on the front row for the fourth time in the last five races. Jimmy Vasser was second quickest, Mark Blundell eighth and Alex Zanardi back in 13th spot.
Saturday's qualifying times: secs 1 D Franchitti GB Honda 65:679 2 J Vasser US Honda 65:834 3 B Herta US Ford 65:863 4 M Gugelmin Brz Mercedes 66:003 5 A Fernandez Mex Ford 66:071 6 G Moore Can Mercedes 66:098 7 Al Unser Jnr US Mercedes 66:234 8 M Blundell GB Mercedes 66:372 9 P Carpentier Can Mercedes 66:425 10 M Andretti US Ford 66:426 09.08.98F.PALMER AUDI:- Finland's Topi Serjala won his second race of the season, leading from start to finish in round six at Brands Hatch. Serjala was unfazed by an early incident which produced the black and yellow flags. Damien Faulkner finished second with Felipe Maluhy third.
min sec
1 T Serjala Fin 0:18:00.080
2 D Faulkner Irl 0:18:02.560
3 F Maluhy Brz 0:18:04.041
4 J Moro Brz 0:18:04.470
5 R Tarling GB 0:18:06.381
6 B Wirdheim Swe 0:18:06.843
CHAMP CARS:- Adrian Fernandez won the CART Mid-Ohio Grand Prix driving a Reynard Ford. His American teammate Scott Pruett finished second. Bobby Rahal of the United States was third in another Reynard Ford.10.08.98RALLYING:- Former world rally champion Colin McRae is leaving the 555 Subaru team at the end of this season to join Ford. The Scot and his co-driver Nicky Grist have a signed a two-year contract and will link up with Juha Kankkunen. McRae won the world title with Subaru in 1995 and team technical director David Lapworth said: "We are obviously disappointed Colin is leaving. The contribution he has made has been enormous. We knew he was talking quite seriously with another team."
CHAMPION SPARK PLUG WORLD RANKING Driver ratings (August 10) Points 1 M Schumacher Ger Formula One 1061 2 A Zanardi It Champ Car 1016 3 M Hakkinen Fin Formula One 1002 4 J Gordon US NASCAR 975 5 M Martin US NASCAR 793 6 D Jarrett US NASCAR 763 7 D Coulthard GB Formula One 759 8 J Villeneuve Can Formula One 734 9 E Irvine GB Formula One 729 10 J Vasser US Champ Car 683CHAMP CARS:- Adrian Fernandez of Mexico survived a brutal race that took its toll on cars, drivers and tempers, winning the CART Miller Lite 200 at the Mid Ohio course. Fernandez averaged 98.428 mph round the 2.258-mile circuit and finished 0.247 seconds ahead of Scott Pruett for his second CART victory this season. England's Mark Blundell avoided a pit- stop tangle with Michael Andretti by inches; he spun out after 70 laps. Dario Franchitti of Scotland crashed out on the first lap.
Sunday's result: laps 1 A Fernandez Mex Ford 83 2 S Pruett US Ford 83 3 N Rahal US Ford 83 4 M Gugelmin Brz Mercedes 83 5 P Tracy Can Honda 83 6 Al Unser Jnr US Mercedes 83 7 P Carpentier Can Mercedes 83 8 T Kanaan Brz Honda 83 9 G de Ferran Brz Honda 83 10 A Ribeiro Brz Mercedes 83 DRIVER STANDINGS 1 A Zanardi It 190 pts 2 J Vasser US 122 3 G Moore Can 118 11.08.98 - TOURING CARS (Knockhill)The three leading Scotsmen have already savoured wins this season but success on their home circuit would be sweeter. However, Anthony Reid, David Leslie and John Cleland will face strong opposition from series leader Rickard Rydell in Sunday's rounds 19 and 20. Rydell has a 45-point lead over 1997 champion Alain Menu but he said: "With eight races to go and dropped scores to consider, things are not so easy. "We need to pick up our pace and start winning again."
Vauxhall's John Cleland is battling to be fit for Sunday's action but he insists he is ready. The Scot's high-speed crash at Snetterton last month led to him missing two races and he faces a race against time for Knockhill. "There is no way I will not be there," he claimed. "Knockhill is one of the bumpiest circuits in the country and the physical strains will be enormous. Believe me, I will be fit to race. It means too much to me."
David Leslie knows that Sunday's 40-lap Feature Race will present a tough challenge to his Nissan team. There will be no mandatory pit stops and Leslie said: "We went very well at Knockhill last year. The team has improved tenfold this season, so I expect us to do well. It is a really challenging race. We are all going to struggle to make the tyres last in the Feature Race. It is very special to me as I have been racing there since it opened."
Anthony Reid will be out to improve on third place in the standings on Sunday but has admitted that Nissan's priority is to take the manufacturers' crown. Nissan lead that list and Reid said: "This is only Nissan's second year in the BTCC with the new Primera so to be in this position is fantastic. "Being realistic, Rickard Rydell should win the drivers' championship but you never know what might happen. I need to make sure I am in a position to take advantage if he slips up."
12.08.98F1: THE HUNGARIAN GP
David Coulthard admits that McLaren are taking nothing for granted in their battle with Ferrari as the advantage changes sides with each race. "Budapest is a key race," confirmed the Scot. "It is a race Michael Schumacher has to win if he wants the title. It is almost impossible to overtake there so getting a good grid position will be important. We have the best car and the best team. That is why we deserve more wins than Ferrari."
Michael Schumacher needs a win in Hungary to give himself a realistic chance of taking the title fight down to the wire. The former world champion had won three races in a row before driver error and car problems disrupted the flow in Austria and Germany. He admitted: "I just have to hope my car will be better suited to the Hungaroring than it was to Hockenheim. Our championship position is not as good as it was. We must work harder."
Heinz-Harald Frentzen looked in with a chance of victory last year before being forced to retire on lap 30 at the Hungarian circuit. The German had a refuelling coupling problem and Williams team-mate Jacques Villeneuve eventually took the spoils. Frentzen said: "I had a comfortable lead but had to retire. I will have to look out for that coupling as I lap the circuit this year. The race itself is physically demanding and tough on tyres."
Jacques Villeneuve's record in Hungary and the improvements made by Williams in recent races have left the world champion relishing Sunday's grand prix. Villeneuve won the race last year and admitted: "I have great memories of racing in Budapest, having been on the podium on my previous two visits there. We will need a bit more luck this year but everyone is trying really hard. The track does not really suit the car but we had a great wekend in Germany and it would be good to continue that."
Benetton technical director Pat Symonds has admitted that the Hungaoring will be a testing circuit for Alexander Wurz and Giancarlo Fisichella. "Not only is Budapest a very slow circuit but it is extremely difficult to overtake and the race usually ends up in a procession," he said. "In the few places it is possible to overtake, it is very difficult to defend this position. Therefore, qualifying and pit-stops are the key to a successful race."
Damon Hill was agonisingly close to giving Arrows their first win last year in Hungary but hydraulic problems relegated him to second spot. After earning his first points with Jordan at Hockenheim, this race could be the springboard for more success. Speed is not the key for Hungary, although Honda's work on the engines enabled Hill to stick with the pace-setters in Germany. Hill won at the circuit for Williams in 1993 and 1995.
Ricardo Rosset's race engineer Alex Varnava believes Tyrrell could find their form at the Hungaroring. "It is a circuit where you are not as dependent on outright power as, say, Hockenheim or Monza," he said. "I think if we can get the car to behave over the bumps, then we will have a chance of doing well. You really need downforce. When the FIA banned sidepod-mounted wings it hit Tyrrell harder than teams who had not based their designs around the wings."
Sunday's race is scheduled to last for 77 laps or 305.536km (189.851 miles). Nelson Piquet won the inaugural Hungaroring race in 1986 and then repeated the feat a year later. Michael Schumacher set the fastest time in qualifying for last year's Hungarian race with one minute, 14.672 seconds. Williams have had the winning car in seven of the 12 races so far. The feature of the circuit is the 180 degree hairpin after the start.
1997 result: 1 J Villeneuve Can Williams 2 D Hill GB Arrows 3 J Herbert GB Sauber 4 M Schumacher Ger Ferrari 5 R Schumacher Ger Jordan 6 S Nakano Jpn Prost Fastest race lap: H-H Frentzen 1:18.372 Previous winners: 1997 J Villeneuve Can Williams 1996 J Villeneuve Can Williams 1995 D Hill GB Williams 1994 M Schumacher Ger Benetton 1993 D Hill GB Williams 1992 A Senna Brz McLaren 1991 A Senna Brz McLaren 1990 T Boutsen Bel Williams 1989 N Mansell GB Ferrari 1988 A Senna Brz McLarenTOURING CARS (Knockhill):- Rickard Rydell set the fastest time in testing for Sunday's rounds 19 and 20. The series leader set a time of 52.697 seconds in his Volvo, while Honda's James Thompson was second fastest. Nissan duo Anthony Reid and David Leslie had topped the list in the morning session but they slipped to fifth and sixth in the afternoon. John Cleland, who is making his return after missing the last two races at Thruxton because of damaged ribs, was 13th fastest.
Leading testing times (Wed): secs 1 R Rydell Swe Volvo 52:697 2 J Thompson GB Honda 52:857 3 A Menu Swi Renault 53:086 4 P Kox Hol Honda 53:089 5 A Reid GB Nissan 53:099 6 D Leslie GB Nissan 53:103 7 G Morbidelli It Volvo 53:311 8 Y Muller Fr Audi 53:353 9 P Radisich NZ Peugeot 53:378 10 R Gravett GB Honda 53:434 13.08.98F1:- Mika Hakkinen and Michael Schumacher know their title hopes are on the line at the Hungaroring. Hakkinen has a 16-point lead over the German but admits he faces a tough task as temperatures may be in the high 30s. "The worst moment is when you stop and have the extra heat from the engine," said the Finn, who prepared for Sunday by driving in 43-degree heat in Jerez. Schumacher said touring or sports cars were hotter and joked: "A Formula One car is like having air conditioning."
TOURING CARS (Knockhill):- Rickard Rydell was nearly a second inside the lap record for the Fife circuit as he dominated the official testing session for Sunday's races. The Championship leader bettered the time set by the now-outlawed four-wheel drive Audi of Frank Biela, despite occasional spells of drizzle. Gianni Morbidelli was second fastest, ahead of David Leslie and Anthony Reid. Alain Menu will now have to use the spare Renault after a rear suspension failure pitched him into the barriers.
Official testing times (Thur): secs 1 R Rydell Swe Volvo 52:556 2 G Morbidelli It Volvo 52:752 3 D Leslie GB Nissan 52:921 4 A Reid GB Nissan 53:000 5 J Thompson GB Honda 53:019 6 P Radisich NZ Peugeot 53:029 7 R Gravett GB Honda 53:063 8 P Kox Hol Honda 53:095 9 W Hoy GB Ford 53:116 10 J Bintcliffe GB Audi 53:173F3 (Pembrey):- Brazilians Enrique Bernoldi and Mario Haberfeld will be battling for the honours in rounds 11 and 12 of the series on Sunday. Haberfeld's fifth place at Silverstone has moved him to within 10 points of long-term leader Bernoldi. With 20 points going to the winner of each race this weekend, there will be plenty at stake. Bernoldi won five of the first seven events but non-finishes in the last three races have dented his challenge.
Martin O'Connell will be targeting a win on Sunday after being runner-up five times this season. He is still third overall, despite leaving the last round at Silverstone with just a point for the fastest lap. O'Connell has switched teams and must hope that his return to Rowan Racing, who took him to National Class success, will lead him to his first win. Meanwhile, Luciano Burti has slipped down the rankings after failing to score in the last two races.
CHAMP CARS:- Mark Blundell is aiming to improve on last year's performance at Elkahrt Lake in round 14 of the series on Sunday. The Briton was forced to drop out three laps from the finish with engine failure while battling to take the lead from Alex Zanardi in 1997. "We ran strongly throughout last weekend at Mid-Ohio and were second fastest in most sessions, so the car should be good," said Blundell. "Everyone is looking for some results. This seems as good a place to start."
FORD FIESTA'S (Knockhill):- Alan Morrison overcame poor weather conditions to set the pace in testing for rounds 10 and 11. The Northern Irish driver was comfortably clear of local charge Neil Hose, with championship leader Simon Clarke third.
Leading testing times (Thur):min secs 1 A Morrison 1:10.310 2 N Hose 1:10.975 3 S Clarke 1:11.261 4 D Buxton 1:11.283 5 N Gordon 1:11.604 6 R Claydon 1:11.608F.FORD (Knockhill):- Daniel Wheldon set the pace in testing for rounds 10 and 11 as the Van Diemen marque dominated the timesheets. Series leader Jenson Button could only manage seventh after suffering a spin at the hairpin.
Leading testing times (Thur):min secs 1 D Wheldon 1:00.880 2 N Kiesa 1:00.932 3 C Murray 1:01.057 4 M Ambrose 1:01.340 5 T Sisley 1:01.555 6 D Hayes 1:01.716RALLYING:- SEAT UK will sponsor mainland Britain's only closed-road special stage rally - the Jim Clark Memorial Rally - which is staged on July 2-4 1999. Based in Clark's hometown of Duns, the event will be classed as a round of the Mobil 1 British Rally Championship for the first time.
14.08.98F1: THE HUNGARIAN GP
David Coulthard fears that he might have to sacrifice another win on Sunday in aid of McLaren team-mate Mika Hakkinen's title bid. After topping the times in practice, Coulthard said: "It has not been discussed but I do not think it would be strange if the team asked me to. "I do not think it would be unfair, given the position in the championship, with Mika leading and me in third spot. I have to take a step back and look at it from the team's point of view."
Damon Hill was sixth fastest in practice but feels his Jordan car still has more potential. "The performance of the car is potentially a lot better than this," he said. "I feel there is still much more to get out of it. At the moment the car is easily upset over the bumps and needs more fine tuning to give us good overall balance. It is possible to find as much as a second. I am looking to qualify higher than sixth."
Friday's practice times: mins secs 1 D Coulthard GB McLaren 1:19.989 2 M Hakkinen Fin McLaren 1:20.186 3 M Schumacher Ger Ferrari 1:20.439 4 J Villeneuve Can Williams 1:20.441 5 E Irvine GB Ferrari 1:20.778 6 D Hill GB Jordan 1:20.779 7 G Fisichella It Benetton 1:21.110 8 R Schumacher Ger Jordan 1:21.198 9 H-H Frentzen Ger Williams 1:21.218 10 R Barrichello Brz Stewart 1:21.414 11 J Herbert GB Sauber 1:21.571 12 J Verstappen Hol Stewart 1:21.903 13 J Alesi Fr Sauber 1:21.990 14 M Salo Fin Arrows 1:22.145 15 A Wurz Aut Benetton 1:22.297 16 O Panis Fr Prost 1:22.442 17 S Nakano Jpn Minardi 1:22.940 18 T Takagi Jpn Tyrrell 1:23.261 19 P Diniz Brz Arrows 1:23.450 20 E Tuero Arg Minardi 1:23.671 21 R Rosset Brz Tyrrell 1:25.611 22 J Trulli It Prost 1:25.700 F.PALMER AUDI (Silverstone) Leading testing times: min secs 1 J Keen GB 1:20.650 2 T Serjala Fin 1:20.687 3 J Moro Brz 1:20.716 4 D Turner GB 1:20.813 5 J Wilson GB 1:20.972 6 D Faulkner Ire 1:21.129CHAMP CARS:- Scotland's Dario Franchitti is a fan of Road America and is aiming to claim is first win at the circuit on Sunday. "It is one of the best I have ever driven," he said. "It reminds me of the tracks I have raced on in Europe. We had a very productive test there a few weeks ago and, among other things, we fixed our problem with the brakes. I am kind of anxious to get back in the car and have a good run. I have got some unfinished business to take care of - namely winning that first race."
RENAULT SPIDER CUP (Knockhill):- Double lap record holder Andy Priaulx and round ten winner Duncan Vercoe took pole position for the two races.
Leading round 11 times (Fri):min secs 1 N Hart 1:03.032 2 D Eaves 1:03.045 3 J Hunter 1:03.184 4 A Priaulx 1:03.193 5 D Henderson 1:03.393 Leading round 12 times (Fri): 1 D Vercoe 1:02.279 2 N Hart 1:02.575 3 A Priaulx 1:02.692 4 J Hunter 1:02.711 5 D Eaves 1:03.160VECTRA CHALLENGE (Knockhill):- Mark Blair claimed pole position for Saturday's round 10 of the series - his second successive top grid placing and his fourth of the campaign. "I was having a ding-dong battle with Flavio Figueiredo," said Blair.
Leading qualifying times (Fri):min secs 1 M Blair 1:03.874 2 F Figueiredo 1:03.918 3 S Graves 1:04.047 4 J Yeomans 1:04.123 5 P Sears 1:04.342 6 M Nichol 1:04.609Mark Blair made it a clean sweep when he took top spot for Sunday's round 11 in the second qualifying session. After rain for most of the day, the sun broke out which meant the track was dry but very greasy.
Leading qualifying times (Fri):min secs 1 M Blair :59.795 2 S Graves 1:00.036 3 G Coomes 1:00.188 4 J Yeomans 1:00.293 5 M Nichol 1:00.298 6 C Boon 1:00.535FORD FIESTA'S (Knockhill):- Alan Morrison overcame poor weather conditions to set the pace in testing for rounds 10 and 11. The Northern Irish driver was comfortably clear of local charge Neil Hose, with championship leader Simon Clarke third.
Neil Hose and Neal Gordon shared pole positions for rounds 10 and 11 of the championship this weekend. Scot Hose set the pace in the slippery first session while Gordon was ahead of championship leader Simon Clarke in qualifying for the second race. Clarke had earlier also grabbed second spot for the first race, to keep his rivals on their toes. Peter Cate's efforts were hampered when he collided with teammate Michael Tegerdine in the second session.
Leading testing times (Thur):min secs 1 A Morrison 1:10.310 2 N Hose 1:10.975 3 S Clarke 1:11.261 4 D Buxton 1:11.283 5 N Gordon 1:11.604 6 R Claydon 1:11.608F.FORD (Knockhill):- Jenson Button came back from a disastrous opening session to pole for round 11. The Somerset teenager only managed an eighth place for round ten after suffering with a sticking throttle. Kent driver Tom Sisley claimed pole for the weekend's first race but the series leader bounced back in the drier second session of the day. Local hero Barry Horne was denied a stab at pole in the second race when he crashed at McIntyre.
Round 10 qualifying times (Fri):min secs 1 T Sisley 1:00.746 2 C Murray 1:01.012 3 M Ambrose 1:01.116 4 D Hayes 1:01.200 5 D Wheldon 1:01.203 6 N Kiesa 1:01.216 Round 11 qualifying times (Fri):secs 1 J Button 55.179 2 D Wheldon 55.239 3 M Ambrose 55.273 4 C Murray 55.387 5 N Kiesa 55.519 6 R Collard 55.558F.VAUXHALL JUNIOR (Knockhill):- James Hanson earned a surprise pole position for Sunday's race. The former kart racer is only the fourth driver to start from the number one spot this season.
Round 13 qualifying times (Fri):secs 1 J Hanson GB 58.406 2 J Fourie SA 58.962 3 T Scheckter SA 59.005 4 R Lyons GB 59.027 5 A Pizzonia Brz 59.053 6 J Dalziel GB 59.060 15.08.98F1: THE HUNGARIAN GP
Mika Hakkinen was delighted at claiming pole position after edging out Scotland's David Coulthard. "Getting pole here is vital," said the world championship leader. "I'd hoped I could make a bigger gap with David, but he's driving so fast it was difficult." Coulthard said: "I am a little bit disappointed and frustrated because the gap with Mika is so small. I was a couple of tenths quicker early in my third run, but went over the kerb, so I have to accept it."
Alain Prost has re-signed current drivers Olivier Panis and Jarno Trulli for the Prost-Peugeot team next season. Trulli will continue with the team in the year 2000. Panis will be free to decide whether to stay on the basis of the results next year, Prost said in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest. "Olivier had doubts over the performance of the team next year, so I said he could see then," Prost said.
Saturday's qualifying times: mins secs 1 M Hakkinen Fin McLaren 1:16.973 2 D Coulthard GB McLaren 1:17.131 3 M Schumacher Ger Ferrari 1:17.366 4 D Hill GB Jordan 1:18.214 5 E Irvine GB Ferrari 1:18.325 6 J Villeneuve Can Williams 1:18.337 7 H-H Frentzen Ger Williams 1:19.029 8 G Fisichella It Benetton 1:19.050 9 A Wurz Aut Benetton 1:19.063 10 R Schumacher Ger Jordan 1:19.171 11 J Alesi Fr Sauber 1:19.210 12 P Diniz Brz Arrows 1:19.706 13 M Salo Fin Arrows 1:19.712 14 R Barrichello Brz Stewart 1:19.876 15 J Herbert GB Sauber 1:19.878 16 J Trulli It Prost 1:20.042 17 J Verstappen Hol Stewart 1:20.198 18 T Takagi Jpn Tyrrell 1:20.354 19 S Nakano Jpn Minardi 1:20.635 20 O Panis Fr Prost 1:20.663 21 E Tuero Arg Minardi 1:21.725 22 R Rosset Brz Tyrrell 1:23.140TOURING CARS (Knockhill):- Scotland's Anthony Reid made all the running in official qualifying for Sunday's 19th and 20th rounds. Reid's Nissan was quickest for both the 40-lap Feature Race and the Sprint Race over 20 laps at the Fife circuit. In the Feature Race, Reid was more than three-tenths of a second quicker than his nearest rival Peter Kox who also ran him closest in the Sprint Race. Championship leader Rickard Rydell will start both races well behind his chief rivals after his Volvo ill-handled.
Round 19 qualifying times (Sat): secs 1 A Reid GB Nissan 52:509 2 P Kox Hol Honda 52:861 3 J Thompson GB Honda 52:885 4 D Leslie GB Nissan 53:040 5 A Menu Swi Renault 53:119 6 R Rydell Swe Volvo 53:229 7 Y Muller Fr Audi 53:264 8 J Plato GB Renault 53:391 9 M Neal GB Nissan 53:495 10 W Hoy GB Ford 53:582 Round 20 qualifying times (Sat): secs 1 A Reid GB Nissan 52:465 2 P Kox Hol Honda 52:782 3 J Thompson GB Honda 52:881 4 D Leslie GB Nissan 52:889 5 A Menu Swi Renault 52:906 6 J Plato GB Renault 52:939 7 R Rydell Swe Volvo 52:992 8 Y Muller Fr Audi 53:062 9 G Morbidelli It Volvo 53:038 10 M Neal GB Nissan 53:278F.PALMER AUDI (Pembrey):- Darren Turner claimed his second pole of the season ahead of Sunday's seventh round. Justin Wilson starts on pole due to a reversed grid system.
Leading round seven qualifying times:
min secs
1 Turner GB 0:54.622
2 Moro Brz 0:54.672
3 Clarke GB 0:54.676
4 Wilson GB 0:54.699
5 Tarling GB 0:54.729
6 Faulkener Ire 0:54.802
Darren Turner finished fourth fastest in round eight qualifying and will head the grid for Sunday's rolling start.
Leading round eight qualifying times:
min secs
1 Tarling GB 0:54.591
2 Moro Brz 0:54.653
3 Clarke GB 0:54.662
4 Turner GB 0:54.742
5 James GB 0:54.848
6 Serjala Fin 0:54.908
CHAMP CARS (Elkhart Lake):-
Texaco/Havoline 200 qualifying:secs
1 G de Ferran Honda 100:464
2 D Franchitti Honda 100:640
3 M Andretti Ford 100:767
4 G Moore Mercedes 100:952
5 Al Unser Jnr Mercedes 100:983
6 A Zanardi Honda 101:076
7 C Fittipaldi Ford 101:161
8 S Pruett Ford 101:192
9 B Herta Ford 101:438
10 A Ribeiro Mercedes 101:454
RENAULT SPIDER CUP (Knockhill):-
Round 11 result (Sat): min secs
1 J Hunter 22:22.889
2 N Hart 22:26.216
3 D Eaves 22:37.547
4 L Adams 22:41.808
5 S Wiseman 22:41.869
6 R MacDowall 22:54.087
Leading round 12 times (Fri):
1 D Vercoe 1:02.279
2 N Hart 1:02.575
3 A Priaulx 1:02.692
4 J Hunter 1:02.711
5 D Eaves 1:03.160
VAUXHALL VECTRA CHALLENGE (Knockhill):- Flavio Figueiredo cruised to victory in Round 10 after holding off the challenge of Simon Graves. Despite clinching the fastest lap with a time of 59.878secs, pre-race favourite Mark Blair failed to finish.Round 10 result (Sat): min secs 1 F Figueiredo 20:20.225 2 S Graves 20:23.980 3 J Yeomans 20:25.643 4 P Sears 20:28.524 5 M Nichol 20:24.272 6 G Coomes 20:35.586 FORMULA FORD'S (Knockhill):- Round 10 result (Sat): min secs 1 T Sisley 21:52.750 2 C Murray 21:52.868 3 M Ambrose 21:54.487 4 D Hayes 21:58.899 5 D Wheldon 22:00.073 6 N Kiesa 22:00.952 Round 11 qualifying times (Fri):secs 1 J Button 55.179 2 D Wheldon 55.239 3 M Ambrose 55.273 4 C Murray 55.387 5 N Kiesa 55.519 6 R Collard 55.558 F.VAUXHALL JUNIOR (Knockhill):- Round 12 result (Sat): secs 1 A Pizzonia Brz 18:16.006 2 J Fourie SA 18:19.298 3 R Bell GB 18:23.232 4 M Pavlovic Yug 18:30.938 5 J Dalziel GB 18:31.823 6 R Lyons GB 18:32.820FORD FIESTA'S (Knockhill):- Simon Clarke took a dominant second Ford Credit victory to extend his points lead after a commanding display.
mins secs
1 S Clarke Ford 19:09.244
2 N Gordon Ford 19:20.995
3 M Neuhoff Ford 19:21.592
4 D Buxton Ford 19:31.686
5 A Morrison Ford 19:31.924
6 M Cullen Ford 19:35.196
F.RENAULT SPORT (Knockhill):- Points leader Al Coelho set a new lap record as he fended off team-mate and title rival Doug Bell for his seventh win of the season.
mins secs
1 A Coelho Brz Tatuus 23:23.286
2 D Bell GB Tatuus 23:23.922
3 T Mullen GB Van D'mn 23:27.392
4 V Meira Brz Van D'mn 23:28.091
5 C Clark GB Tatuus 23:29.374
6 J Font Yv Tatuus 23:30.882
Star Cup:
9 G Jones GB Tatuus 23:37.854
F.FORD (Knockhill):- Marcos Ambrose got the better of local hero Craig Murray to claim his first ever Slick 50 Formula Ford victory. The Australian powered ahead on the lap two hairpin and resisted Murray's persistent challenge.Positions after 22 laps: mins secs 1 M Ambrose Van Diemen 21:52.750 2 C Murray Van Diemen 21:52.868 3 T Sisley Van Diemen 21:54.487 4 J Button Ford 22:00.073 5 R Collard Van Diemen 22:00.952 6 D Hayes Ford 22:02.574 16.08.98 F1: THE HUNGARIAN GP Result after 77 laps: 1 M Schumacher Ger Ferrari 1:45:55 2 D Coulthard GB McLaren @ 9.433s 3 J Villeneuve Can Williams @ 44.444 4 D Hill GB Jordan @ 55.075 5 H-H Frentzen Ger Williams @ 56.510 6 M Hakkinen Fin McLaren 1 lap 7 J Alesi Fr Sauber 1 lap 8 G Fisichella It Benetton 1 lap 9 J Herbert GB Sauber 1 lap 10 R Schumacher Ger Jordan 1 lap 11 P Diniz Brz Arrows 3 laps 12 O Panis Fr Prost 3 laps 13 J Verstappen Hol Stewart 3 laps 14 T Takagi Jpn Tyrrell 3 laps 15 S Nakano Jpn Minardi 3 laps Did not finish: A Wurz Aut Benetton R B'chello Brz Stewart J Trulli It Prost M Salo Fin Arrows E Tuero Arg Minardi E Irvine GB Ferrari DRIVERS' STANDINGS 1 M Hakkinen Fin McLaren 77 pts 2 M Schumacher Ger Ferrari 70 3 D Coulthard GB McLaren 48 4 E Irvine GB Ferrari 32 5 J Villeneuve Can Williams 20 6 A Wurz Aut Benetton 17 7 G Fisichella It Benetton 15 8 H-H Frentzen Ger Williams 10 9 D Hill GB Jordan 6 10 R Barrichello Brz Stewart 4 = R Schumacher Ger Jordan 4 12 J Alesi Fr Sauber 3 = M Salo Fin Arrows 3 14 J Herbert GB Sauber 1 = P Diniz Brz Arrows 1 = J Magnussen Den Stewart 1 CONSTRUCTORS' STANDINGS 1 McLaren-Mercedes 125 pts 2 Ferrari 102 3 Benetton 32 4 Williams-Mecachrome 30 5 Jordan 10 6 Stewart 5 7 Sauber-Petronas 4 = Arrows 4Michael Schumacher used a three-stop strategy to win in Hungary and close the gap on title rival Mika Hakkinen. David Coulthard finished second and Jacques Villeneuve third, but championship leader Hakkinen could only manage sixth place. The Finn suffered handling problems after leading early on and was easily passed by the other contendors. Damon Hill took fourth place, his lowest finish at the circuit, while Heinz-Harald Frentzen finished fifth.
Michael Schumacher was delighted after his victory in Hungary kept the Championship alive. He said: "You can only dream about a result like this. I thought the best I could hope for was me first and Mika finishing second. This is great for the championship - we have a real chance of that now." David Coulthard, second, said: "I don't know what was wrong with Mika's car. It was looking good for us early but then it all started to go wrong."
Mika Hakkinen had to suffer the ignominy of being lapped by Michael Schumacher on the final lap in Hungary. He said: "I came here for the 10 points and for a long time everything was looking good but before my second stop I had some kind of problem. There was a lot of knocking, it was very unusual. I just tried to hang on until the second stop but after that it was a nightmare. It's frustrating being overtaken but I was powerless to do anything about it."
TOURING CARS (Knockhill):- Anthony Reid clinched sprint victory and Derek Warwick won the feature race to pile pressure on RAC British Touring Car Championship leader Rickard Rydell. The Swede arrived with a 45-point lead and left with it slashed to 35 thanks to a first-lap crash in the sprint. Reid's fourth win of the term makes him one of the most credible of Rydell's challengers with six rounds remaining. Warwick's victory was his first in the BTCC in three seasons of trying and the 43-year-old was overjoyed.
Round 19 result (Sun): mins secs 1 A Reid GB Nissan 22:38.846 2 J Thompson GB Honda 22:41.040 3 A Menu Swi Renault 22:41.687 4 Y Muller Fr Audi 22:42.038 5 D Leslie GB Nissan 22:42.496 6 W Hoy GB Ford 22:45.585 7 P Kox Hol Honda 22:46.636 8 M Neal GB Nissan 22:48.223 9 D Warwick GB Vauxhall 22:52.050 10 P Radisich NZ Peugeot 22:53.534 Round 20 result (Sun): mins secs 1 D Warwick GB Vauxhall 47:48.715 2 Y Muller Fr Audi 47:58.223 3 R Rydell Swe Volvo 47:59.444 4 A Menu Swi Renault 48:09.168 5 J Plato GB Renault 48:10.381 6 P Radisich NZ Peugeot 48:13.073 7 A Reid GB Nissan 48:14.748 8 T Rustad Nor Renault 48:31.888 9 D Leslie GB Nissan 48:32.510 10 J Bintcliffe GB Audi 48:34.737 Driver standings: 1 Rydell 196 pts 2 Reid 161 3 Menu 159F3 (Pembrey):- Mario Haberfield claimed the 11th round of the Championship when he won from pole position and took over top spot from fellow Brazilian Enrique Bernoldi. Haberfield, who clocked the fastest lap, turned Bernoldi's 10-point lead into a one-point deficit. Luciano Burti won the 12th round during the afternoon but Haberfield's second spot extended his lead to 13 points. Britain's Warren Hughes collided with Bernoldi and was unable to finish in the top ten as a result.
Round 11 result: mins:secs 1 M Haberfeld Honda 20:27.416 2 W Hughes Renault 20:29.471 3 J Spence Honda 20:33.151 4 E Bernoldi Renault 20:33.430 5 L Burti Honda 20:35.760 6 N Karthikeyan Honda 20:36.021 7 B Collins Opel 20:37.011 8 M Hynes Renault 20:37.459 9 K Kolby Honda 20:38.158 10 R Mauricio Honda 20:38.559 Round 12 result: mins:secs 1 L Burti Honda 13:00.777 2 M Haberfeld Honda 13:01.179 3 M Hynes Renault 13:03.328 4 N Karthikeyan Honda 13:04.191 5 R Mauricio Honda 13:04.534 6 J Spence Honda 13:06.458 7 E Bernoldi Renault 13:08.680 8 M O'Connell Toyota 13:09.989 9 B Collins Opel 13:10.918 10 A Pavicevic Honda 13:11.360 Leading positions after round 12: pts 1 M Hab'field Brz Paul Stewart 146 2 E Bernoldi Brz Pr'ecme Renault 133 3 L Burti Brz Paul Stewart 109 4 W Hughes GB Portman Arrows 107 5 M O'Connell GB Rowan Racing 99 6 R Mauricio Brz Alan Docking 63 7 J Spence GB Martin Donnelly 54 8 D Manning GB Speedsport 49 9 M Hynes GB Pr'ecme/Renault 47 10 K Kolby Den Fortec M'sport 41F.PALMER AUDI (Pembrey):- Darren Turner scored his second FPA victory in what was an incident-packed race eight during the afternoon. Peter Clarke finished second and Richard Tarling third - both repeating their positions from round seven earlier in the day. The race was stopped once and the safety car used twice to slow the field down as accidents continued. This meant that the final positions were based on aggregate times even though Clarke crossed the line first.
Round 7 result: mins secs
1 Wilson GB 13:48.280
2 Clarke GB 13:50.514
3 Tarling GB 13:51.879
4 Moro Brz 13:53.278
5 Maluhy Brz 14:01.673
6 Serjala Fin 14:04.369
Round 8 result: mins secs
1 Turner GB 20:01.295
2 Clarke GB 20:01.618
3 Tarling GB 20:03.754
4 James GB 20:06.211
5 Keen GB 20:08.278
6 Nakazawa Jpn 20:09.603
CHAMP CARS (Elkhart Lake):-
Texaco/Havoline 200 qualifying: (Sat)
secs
1 M Andretti US Ford 99:988
2 B Herta US Ford 100:069
3 B Rahal US Ford 100:344
4 S Pruett US Ford 100:405
5 G de Ferran Br Honda 100:464
6 D Franchitti GB Honda 100:640
7 C Fittipildi Br Ford 100:675
8 G Moore Can Mercedes 100:757
9 A Fernandez Mex Ford 100:824
10 Al Unser Jnr US Mercedes 100:983
15 M Blundell GB Mercedes 101:496
RENAULT SPIDER CUP (Knockhill):-
Round 12 result (Sun):
1 D Vercoe 18:05.167
2 J Hunter 18:06.042
3 D Eaves 18:07.169
4 N Hart 18:12.810
5 T Masini 18:19.478
F.VAUXHALL JUNIOR (Knockhill):-
Round 13 result (Sun): mins secs
1 R Lyons GB 26:39.664
2 A Pizzonia Brz 26:50.329
3 J Hanson GB 26:54.239
4 J Fourie SA 26:55.666
5 M Pavlovic Yug 27:02.927
6 J Welsman GB 27:03.095
FORD FIESTA'S (Knockhill):-
Round 11 result: mins secs
1 A Morrison 20:35.970
2 S Clarke 20:37.717
3 M Neuhoff 20:44.996
4 N Gordon 20:48.399
5 P Cate 20:54.263
6 C Stancombe 20:54.403
F.RENAULT SPORT (Knockhill):-
Round 11 result mins secs
1 A Coelho Brz Tatuus 23:23.286
2 D Bell GB Tatuus 23:23.922
3 T Mullen GB Van D'mn 23:27.392
4 V Meira Brz Van D'mn 23:28.091
5 C Clark GB Tatuus 23:29.374
6 J Font Yv Tatuus 23:30.882
Round 12 result
1 D Bell GB Tatuus 19:23.915
2 A Coelho Brz Tatuus 19:24.190
3 V Meira Brz V Diemen 19:33.734
4 T S'vanon Hol Tatuus 19:36.071
5 C Clark GB Tatuus 19:36.093
6 J Font Yv Tatuus 19:37.253
F.FORD (Knockhill):-
Round 11 result: mins secs
1 J Button Mygale 20:15.818
2 C Murray Van Diemen 20:18.844
3 N Kiesa Van Diemen 20:21.938
4 M Ambrose Van Diemen 20:25.753
5 D Wheldon Van Diemen 20:28.684
6 D Hayes Mygale 20:29.435
17.08.98
F1:- Hungary could lose their Grand Prix after a crowd invasion at the end of Sunday's race at the Hungaroring. Thousands of Ferrari fans poured on to the circuit after Michael Schumacher took the chequered flag while several cars were still on the track. Authorities at Imola were fined and warned by the FIA after a similar incident two years ago and were told a repeat may lose them the San Marino GP. Hungary's organisers must now wait to learn their fate.
CHAMP CARS (Elkhart Lake):- Scotland's Dario Franchitti won the Road America CART Grand Prix, driving a Reynard Honda for his first success. Alessandro Zanardi of Italy finished second in another Reynard Honda, with Christian Fittipaldi taking third place in a Swift Ford. Former Formula One driver Mark Blundell had to restart from last place after a suspected fire during the parade lap. His car was given the all-clear after checks and he picked his way through the field to end up in seventh place.
Dario Franchitti was understandably delighted after claiming his first success in the Championship. The Scot finished over seven seconds clear of his nearest rival Alex Zanardi in a tremendous performance. "I'm ecstatic," he said. "It was a long time coming. We've been in position before and had so many things happen." Franchitti averaged 127.145mph around the circuit and his winning margin was almost the entire length of the final straight.
Texaco/Havoline 200 result (Sun):
hr mn sec
1 D Franchitti GB Honda 1:35:30
2 A Zanardi It Honda 1:35:37
3 C Fittipaldi Brz Ford 1:36:14
4 T Kanaan US Honda 1:36:16
5 A Fernandez Mex Ford 1:36:17
6 P Tracy Can Honda 1:36:22
7 M Blundell GB Mercedes 1:36:22
8 B Rahal US Ford 1:36:37
9 J Vasser US Honda 1:36:37
10 A Meier Ger Ford 1:36:38
CHAMPION SPARK PLUG WORLD RANKING:- Michael Schumacher showed why he is at the head of the Champion Spark Plug World Driver rankings after his defeat of the McLarens in the Hungarian GP. The Ferrari driver made three pit stops to McLaren's two to score a superb win. Alessandro Zanardi finished second to Scotland's Dario Franchitti in the Road America Champ Car race to keep within striking distance of Schumacher. Mika Hakkinen failed to capitalise on Zanardi's slip as his ailing McLaren could only finish sixth in Hungary.Driver ratings (August 17) Points 1 M Schumacher Ger Formula One 1098 2 A Zanardi It Champ Car 1033 3 M Hakkinen Fin Formula One 1014 4 J Gordon US NASCAR 993 5 D Coulthard GB Formula One 806 6 M Martin US NASCAR 799 7 D Jarrett US NASCAR 770 8 J Villeneuve Can Formula One 744 9 E Irvine GB Formula One 701 10 B Schneider Ger Mercedes 668 18.08.98 - F1Heinz-Harald Frentzen is to continue receiving treatment at a Vienna hospital for an intestinal virus until at least Wednesday evening. The German Williams driver was taken to the AKH hospital after finishing Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix in fifth. "I feel a lot better today although I still feel a bit tired," said Frentzen. The race, which was won by fellow German Michael Schumacher, opened up the World Championships after leader Mika Hakkinen finished down the field.
19.08.98F1:- Formula One is set to return to South Africa in three years time, according to Bernie Ecclestone. The Formula One Association president had lunch with South Africa president Nelson Mandela and said the country should return to the circuit. "We have a contract to bring around the Formula One world championship to South Africa and when we have a slot on the calendar we'll do that," he said. The race, probably in 2001, could be at Johannesburg's Kyalami track.
RALLY OF FINLAND:- Carlos Sainz of Spain will be looking to cement his world championship lead in the Rally of Finland, which starts on Friday. Sainz is one of only two non-Scandinavian drivers to have won the event, formerly known as the 1000 Lakes Rally. Sainz won in 1990 with Didier Auriol of France, his current team-mate at Toyota, victorious in 1992. The rally will cover 24 special stages before it finishes on Sunday.
Colin McRae, second behind Carlos Sainz in the world championship standinds, admits that he will be happy just to pick up points in the Rally of Finland. The Scot said: "It will be very difficult for a non-Scandinavian driver to win this rally, because we can't compete with their local knowledge." The Subaru driver added: "Obviously, you try to win every rally, but I'll be going to Finland for points. At this stage of the championship, just finishing in the points is vital."
Richard Burns faces one of the toughest tests of his career when he contests this weekend's Rally of Finland. It will be the first time the Briton has competed in an event regarded as one of the most challenging on the world championship calendar. High speeds and huge jumps require lots of nerve on the unpredicable roads. "It's going to be a really tough baptism," said Burns, who is lying sixth in the world championship standings with 21 points.
Alister McRae and the Volkswagen team return to the world championship fray in the Rally of Finland this weekend. McRae and co-driver David Senior will be hoping to repeat the form which saw them lead their 2-litre World Cup rivals in the Rally of Argentina. It will be their third appearance in the Finnish rally. In 1994 they drove an F2 Nissan to second place in class and in 1995 finished fifth overall. Senior said: "We are confident we can challenge for victory."
Tommy Makinen will be looking to create a piece of world championship history in the Rally of Finland this weekend. Victory for the 34-year-old Finn would make him the first driver to win the same world championship rally on five consecutive occasions. Makinen has always revelled in putting his local knowledge to good effect in his home rally. Briton Colin McRae said: "For Tommi, driving these stages is like driving to work because he lives in the area."
20.08.98 - F1Ralf Schumacher, the younger brother of Michael, is in talks with Williams about a four-year deal, his manager has confirmed. Schumacher, currently with Jordan, was reported to have already signed - but his manager Willi Weber denied that. He said it was impossible because of a clause in his contract with Jordan which commits him to the team until the end of the season. Williams said there would be no statement on drivers until next month.
Johnny Herbert is considering three options for the 1999 Formula One season, according to his mother Jane. Monaco-based Herbert has endured a patchy season with the Sauber team, but latest reports suggest he has been offered a deal to stay with them. However, Mrs Herbert said: "Johnny has been linked to the Williams team and obviously, if given the chance, he would love to drive for them. It has been a disappointing season with Sauber but he likes the set-up."
21.08.98 - RALLY OF FINLANDScotland's Colin McRae crashed out of the event after a rear wheel of his Subaru hit a tree and locked during stage four. McRae lost over three minutes and, faced with two more timed special stages without a repair, he retired. He was second at the time. Tommi Makinen, driving a Mitsubishi, led at the end of the first day. He is on course to make it a record- breaking five consecutive wins in his home event.
Positions at end of first day:min sec 1 T Makinen Fin Mitsubishi 48:04.9 2 C Sainz Sp Toyota 48:11.9 3 J Kankkunen Fin Ford 48:15.1 4 M Gronholm Fin Toyota 48:21.8 5 D Auriol Fra Toyota 48:26.7 6 R Burns GB Mitsubishi 48:40.7 7 T Radstrom Swe Toyota 49:07.4 8 A Vatanen Fin Ford 50:24.6 9 H Rovanpera Fin SEAT 50:53.1 10 B Thiry Bel Ford 51:37.9 22.08.98RALLY OF FINLAND:- Juha Kankkunen kept Ford on course for a top-three finish after an enthralling battle in the second leg. The Finn preserved his overnight third- placed position after battling hard with Carlos Sainz in a bid to take second spot. Tommi Makinen still leads the rally but Kankkunen said: "We have driven flat out and had a great fight with Carlos." Britain's Richard Burns is lying in fifth and six stages remain for the final leg on Sunday.
Positions after stage 18 of 24:hr mins sec 1 T Makinen Fin Mitsubishi 2:26:36.3 2 C Sainz Sp Toyota 2:27:10.7 3 J Kankkunen Fin Ford 2:27:26.8 4 D Auriol Fra Toyota 2:28:35.3 5 R Burns GB Mitsubishi 2:29:13.6 6 T Radstrom Swe Toyota 2:29:21.1 7 M Gronholm Fin Toyota 2:31:07.3 8 T Kytolehto Fin Subaru 2:33:09.4 9 A Vatanen Fin Ford 2:33:58.5 10 P Hagstrom Fin Toyota 2:35:31.5BRITISH GTs (Silverstone):- John Greasley and Magnus Wallinder put their Blue Coral Slick 50 Porsche GT1 in pole position for Sunday's race. The pair, who are currently lying second in Class GT1, are looking for their third win in a row. Current leaders Steve O'Rourke and Tim Sugden qualified in second place, 1.139 seconds behind. In class GT2, the Viper GTR-S driven by Kurt Luby and Richard Dean, once again dominated qualifying, leading by 0.036 secs from Andy Purvis and Thomos Erdos.
Leading qualifying times (Sat):min secs 1 Greasley/W'der Porsche GT1 1:15.440 2 O'Rourke/S'gdn McLaren GT1 1:16.579 3 Needell/Bailey Lister GT1 1:17.117 4 Ulrich/Flux Lister GT1 1:17.196 5 Hewland/Evans Lister GT1 1:18.879 6 P'tmn/C-Walter Harrier GT1 1:19.617 7 Kent/Verdon R TVR GT1 1:21.282 8 Lindsay/Ward Harrier GT1 1:21.998 9 Luby/Dean Chrysler GT2 1:22.008 10 Purvis/Erdos Marcos GT2 1:22.128F.PALMER AUDI (Silverstone):- Sheffield's Justin Wilson was the fastest in round nine of the Formula Palmer Audi Championship. Wilson lapped the 2.252 mile circuit in just 3/100th's of a second faster than Brazilian Juliano Moro.
Final leading qualifying times (Sat):
mins:secs
1 J Wilson GB 1:19.844
2 J Moro Brz 1:19.879
3 D Turner GB 1:20.134
4 S White Aus 1:20.173
5 D Faulkner Ire 1:20.188
6 T Serjala Fin 1:20.236
23.08.98
FIA GTs (Suzuka):- Bernd Schneider and Mark Webber claimed their fourth win of the season to maintain Mercedes' supremacy in the Sukuka 1000km race. The German-Australian pairing covered 171 laps on the 3.64-mile track in five hours, 48 minutes, 58.425 seconds. Their Mercedes team-mates Klaus Ludwig and Ricardo Zonta came in two laps behind to finish second. Britain's Allan McNish and Frenchman Stephane Ortelli, who won the Le Mans 24-hour race in June, were third.
Second round result after 98 laps:hr min sec
1 B Schneider/ Ger Mercedes 5:48.58
M Webber Aus 171 laps
2 K Ludwig/ Ger Mercedes 169 laps
R Zonta Ger
3 A McNish GB Porsche 168 laps
Y Dalmas/S Ortelli Fr
4 C Bouchet/ Fr Mercedes 167 laps
B Maylender Ger
5 F Lagorce Fr Panoz 165 laps
J O'Connell US
C Tinseau Fr
6 M Bartels Ger Porsche 165 laps
S Grau/A Scheld
DRIVERS STANDINGS
1= Schneider/Webber 44 pts
3= Ludwig/Zonta 41
5= McNish/Dalmas 15
RALLY OF FINLAND:- World champion Tommi Makinen won his home Finland Rally in a time of three hours, 16 mins, 56.1 secs. The triumph ensured Makinen became the first driver to win any World Championship event five times in a row. Spaniard Carlos Sainz, driving a Toyota, and Ford's Juha Kankkunen, also of Finland, were second and third respectively in the event. British driver Richard Burns drove his Mitsubishi to fifth place, completing the 24 stages in 3:19:52.9.Final positions after 24 stages:hr mins sec 1 T Makinen Fin Mitsubishi 3:16:56.1 2 C Sainz Sp Toyota 3:17:31.7 3 J Kankkunen Fin Ford 3:17:41.3 4 D Auriol Fra Toyota 3:19:25.3 5 R Burns GB Mitsubishi 3:19:52.9 6 T Radstrom Swe Toyota 3:20:07.8 7 M Gronholm Fin Toyota 3:21:02.0 8 T Kytolehto Fin Subaru 3:23:46.4 9 P Hagstrom Fin Toyota 3:28:11.4 10 B Thiry Bel Ford 3:30:05.5 DRIVER STANDINGS: Pts 1 C Sainz Sp Toyota 47 2 C McRae GB Subaru 38 3 T Makinen Fin Mitsubishi 38 4 J Kankkunen Fin Ford 31 = D Auriol Fr Toyota 30 6 R Burns GB Mitsubishi 23 MANUFACTURER STANDINGS: 1 Toyota 72 pts 2 Mitsubishi 61 3 Subaru 52 4 Ford 40Alister McRae and David Senior claimed an historic victory to win the Formula Two Rally of Finland - the first British driver to win the event. McRae's Golf GTI arrived at the finish ramp 20 seconds ahead of his nearest rival, local hero Toni Gardemeister, with Mark Higgins claiming third spot. McRae, of Lanark, 27, said: "I couldn't be more delighted. Our plan was to take things steady on the first leg and then attack. It's good to be back on the champagne trail."
24.08.98TOURING CARS:- British Touring Cars champion Alain Menu has ended his six-year spell with Renault to join Ford for next season. Menu has won 29 races with Renault and their UK managing director Benoit Marzloff said: "We have enjoyed great success with Alain."
CHAMPION SPARK PLUG WORLD RANKING:- Mark Martin has replaced David Coulthard in fifth place in the latest rankings list. Martin moved up after his victory in Bristol, America at the weekend and is now one place behind Jeff Gordon. Michael Schumacher still heads the list from Alex Zanardi with Mika Hakkinen in third place. If Hakkinen wins the Belgian Grand Prix this weekend he will almost certainly overtake Zanardi to leave two Formula One drivers at the top.
Driver ratings (August 24) Points 1 M Schumacher Ger Formula One 1098 2 A Zanardi It Champ Car 1033 3 M Hakkinen Fin Formula One 1014 4 J Gordon US NASCAR 989 5 M Martin US NASCAR 824 6 D Coulthard GB Formula One 806 7 D Jarrett US NASCAR 772 8 J Villeneuve Can Formula One 744 9 E Irvine GB Formula One 701 10 B Schneider Ger FIA GT 691 25.08.98F1: THE BELGIAN GP
McLaren look set to land their first constructors' crown since 1991 - barring a disaster - but, for now, the drivers' title is still up for grabs. Michael Schumacher took back the initiative from Mika Hakkinen after his Ferrari team won the tactical war in the pits last time out in Hungary. The German worked a similar 'pit' advantage in the British Grand Prix in July, winning the race off the track. Ron Dennis' team will be fighting to ensure they win any pit war on Sunday.
World champion Jacques Villeneuve can consider victory once more after two consecutive third places in what has been a below-par season for Williams. Spa is the longest circuit on the grand prix calendar and the Canadian is looking forward to the 44-lap race. He admitted: "It is one of the amazing tracks in Formula One. When you do a qualifying lap and you are on the edge and you really get the corners, the rhythm and the car feels right, it feels so special."
Jordan equalled their best-ever finish at Spa in 1997 when Giancarlo Fishichella was second - and a podium finish is a possibility this year. Damon Hill has already gone close with two fourth-place finishes, while team mate Ralf Schumacher has also been picking up points. Hill knows the circuit well and won at Spa in 1993 and 1994. Meanwhile, Honda have worked hard on horsepower and reliability after the team was hit by early-season misery.
Spa played host to the first Belgian Grand Prix in 1913. It was won by a local driver and he remains the only Belgian to have triumphed in the race. In 1950, the circuit staged a round in the first-ever World Championship and Juan Manual Fangio won the race. Accidents at Spa brought a switch of venue - first Nivelles and then Zolder - but it returned to Spa in 1983. Weather conditions ensured the 1997 event was the first grand prix to start behind a safety car.
Spa is renowned for its La Source hairpin, which goes down to the even more well-known Eau Rouge. Sunday's race is scheduled to last for 44 laps. The Belgian circuit celebrated its 75th anniversay in 1996. Alain Prost holds the record for the fastest Spa lap with 1:51.095 in 1993. Belgium's grand prix circuit is 6.968km in length (4.329 miles) and is the longest track in the Championship.
1997 result: 1 M Schumacher Ger Ferrari 2 G Fisichella It Jordan 3 H-H Frentzen Ger Williams 4 J Herbert GB Sauber 5 J Villeneuve Can Williams 6 G Berger Aut Benetton Fastest race lap: J Villeneuve 1:52.692 Previous winners: 1997 M Schumacher Ger Ferrari 1996 M Schumacher Ger Ferrari 1995 M Schumacher Ger Benetton 1994 D Hill GB Williams 1993 D Hill GB Williams 1992 M Schumacher Ger Benetton 1991 A Senna Brz McLaren 1990 A Senna Brz McLaren 1989 A Senna Brz McLaren 1988 A Senna Brz McLaren 1987 A Prost Fr McLarenTOURING CARS:- Nigel Mansell will turn back the clock 12 years at Brands Hatch on Bank Holiday Monday. The former Formula One and IndyCar world champion contests two rounds of the Auto Trader RAC British Touring Car Championship in a Ford Mondeo. It will be his first appearance at the Kent circuit since his victory in the 1986 British Grand Prix. Mansell said: "Brands Hatch is a very special circuit for me because it holds so many memories."
With six rounds remaining, the Auto Trader RAC British Touring Car Championship reaches a critical stage at Brands Hatch on Bank Holiday Monday. No fewer than seven drivers have a chance of claiming the world's most prized touring car crown. The championship leader, Rickard Rydell of Sweden, is 35 points clear of second-placed Anthony Reid but has not won a race in his Volvo since June. Reigning champion Alain Menu is in third place, two points behind Reid.
Anthony Reid is determined to step up his bid for the Auto Trader RAC British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch on Bank Holiday Monday. The Nissan driver is 35 points behind leader Rickard Rydell. Reid said: "Before Knockhill I set myself a target of scoring five more points than Rickard in each of the remaining meetings. I did that in Scotland, and if I can do it again at Brands the pressure will really start building up on him."
Four decades of British Touring Car Championship racing will be celebrated at Brands Hatch this weekend. Apart from Monday's two championship rounds, there will be a display of BTCC cars and celebrities from the past. It will be almost 40 years ago to the day that the inaugural BTCC was decided at the Kent circuit. Then, Jack Sears, driving an Austin A105 Westminster, claimed the 1958 championship in a thrilling shoot-out with Tommy Sopwith.
28.08.98F1: THE BELGIAN GP
Friday's free practice times: 1 M Schumacher Ger Ferrari 1:51.895 2 M Hakkinen Fin McLaren 1:51.906 3 D Coulthard GB McLaren 1:52.629 4 D Hill GB Jordan 1:53.100 5 H Frentzen Ger Williams 1:53.534 6 J Villeneuve Can Williams 1:53.589 7 E Irvine GB Ferrari 1:53.601 8 J Alesi Fr Sauber 1:53.660 9 R Schumacher Ger Jordan 1:54.116 10 J Herbert GB Sauber 1:54.130 11 A Wurz Aut Benetton 1:54.158 12 G Fisichella It Benetton 1:54.171 13 R Barrichello Brz Stewart 1:54.433 14 J Trulli It Prost 1:54.878 15 O Panis Fr Prost 1:55.182 16 J Verstappen Hol Stewart 1:55.263 17 M Salo Fin Arrows 1:55.730 18 T Takagi Jap Tyrrell 1:56.080 19 P Diniz Brz Arrows 1:56.431 20 E Tuero Arg Minardi 1:57.014 21 S Nakano Jap Minardi 1:57.682 22 R Rosset Brz Tyrrell 1:58.178TOURING CARS (Brands Hatch):- Nissan's David Leslie set the pace in official testing for Bank Holiday Monday's championship rounds. The Scot set a best time of 44.858secs, two-tenths of a second outside the record for the Kent circuit. Just behind were future team-mates Anthony Reid (Nissan) and Alain Menu (Renault) - both within a tenth of a second of Leslie. Former World Champion Nigel Mansell was just half a second off the pace of the leaders in his Mondeo in 45.401.
Friday's official testing times:secs 1 D Leslie GB Nissan 44.858 2 A Reid GB Nissan 44.899 3 A Menu Swi Renault 44.932 4 R Rydell Swe Volvo 44.932 5 Y Muller Fr Audi 44:954 6 J Thompson GB Honda 44:981 7 J Cleland GB Vauxhall 44:990 8 J Plato GB Renault 45:049 9 P Kox Hol Honda 45:140 10 T Rustad Nor Reanault 45:142F.FORD (Brands Hatch):- Jenson Button looks set to extend his Slick 50 lead after setting the pace in Thursday's testing. The Somerset driver was just ahead of Daniel Wheldon with Wheldon's team-mate Marcos Ambrose coming third.
Thursday's testing times: secs 1 J Button Mygale 45.915 2 D Wheldon Van Diemen 46.985 3 M Ambrose Van Diemen 46.175 4 T Sisley Van Diemen 46.198 5 D Hayes Mygale 46.270 6 N Kiesa Van Diemen 46.306FORD FIESTA'S (Brands Hatch):- Ian Churchill made a dramatic return to the Ford Credit Fiesta Championship by setting the fastest testing time. Churchill headed title contenders Rae Claydon and Alan Morrison with less than a second separating 19 drivers.
Thursday's testing times: secs 1 I Churchill Fiesta Zetec 56.214 2 R Claydon Fiesta Zetec 56.220 3 A Morrison Fiesta Zetec 56.289 4 N Gordon Fiesta Zetec 56.321 5 C Stancombe Fiesta Zetec 56.344 6 H Taylor Fiesta Zetec 56.351 29.08.98F1: THE BELGIAN GP
Championship leader Mika Hakkinen was almost lost for words after snatching pole from David Coulthard in the last few minutes of qualifying at Spa. Hakkinen said: "It was an unbelievable session - so difficult to explain. Before I went out on my last run I thought it would be incredible if I beat David's time." Damon Hill, third on the grid, said: "This is absolutely brilliant and I'm very happy. I must say I am driving beautifully at the moment."
Mika Salo escaped unhurt following a 170mph crash during final practice. Salo's Tyrrell car was sent spinning four times after hitting a tyre barrier at Eau Rouge - just yards from where Jacques Villeneuve crashed on Friday. The 31-year-old collided with the protective tyre wall on the inside of the corner. Salo rebounded onto the circuit with the car pirouetting on the track before finally coming to a stop with its rear end badly damaged.
Police have stepped up security for this weekend's Grand Prix following two separate terrorist threats from supposed Moslem extremists. F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone has been warned by one group that the race at Spa-Francorchamps will not go ahead. Another has threatened to sabotage the Ferrari car of Michael Schumacher. Police and circuit officials are treating the situation more seriously because of the recent bombings of American embassies.
Saturday's qualifying times: 1 M Hakkinen Fin McLaren 1:48.682 2 D Coulthard GB McLaren 1:48.845 3 D Hill GB Jordan 1:49.728 4 M Schumacher Ger Ferrari 1:50.072 5 E Irvine GB Ferrari 1:50.204 6 J Villeneuve Can Williams 1:50.462 7 G Fisichella It Benetton 1:50.501 8 R Schumacher Ger Jordan 1:50.686 9 H Frentzen Ger Williams 1:51.189 10 J Alesi Fr Sauber 1:51.648 11 A Wurz Aut Benetton 1:51.851 12 J Herbert GB Sauber 1:52.572 13 J Trulli It Prost 1:52.670 14 R Barrichello Brz Stewart 1:52.670 15 O Panis Fr Prost 1:52.784 16 P Diniz Brz Arrows 1:53.037 17 J Verstappen Hol Stewart 1:53.149 18 M Salo Fin Arrows 1:53.207 19 T Takagi Jap Tyrrell 1:53.237 20 R Rosset Brz Tyrrell 1:54.850 21 S Nakano Jap Minardi 1:55.084 22 E Tuero Arg Minardi 1:55.520 30.08.98 F1: THE BELGIAN GP Result after 44 laps: hrs mins sec 1 D Hill GB Jordan 1:43:47 2 R Schumacher Ger Jordan @ 0.932 3 J Alesi Fr Sauber @ 7.240 4 H-H Frentzen Ger Williams @ 32.242 5 P Diniz Brz Arrows @ 51.682 6 J Trulli It Prost 2 laps 7 D Coulthard GB McLaren 5 laps 8 S Nakano Jpn Minardi 5 laps NOT CLASSIFIED G Fisichella It Benetton 26 laps M Schumacher Ger Ferrari 25 laps E Irvine GB Ferrari 25 laps E Tuero Arg Minardi 17 laps J Villeneuve Can Williams 16 laps T Takagi Jpn Tyrrell 10 laps J Verstappen Hol Stewart 8 laps M Hakkinen Fin McLaren 0 laps A Wurz Aut Benetton 0 laps J Herbert GB Sauber 0 lapsDamon Hill won an extraordinary, rain-swept Belgian Grand Prix, giving Jordan their first victory. Hill raced into the lead at the start, lost it to Michael Schumacher and regained it when the German clipped David Coulthard and went out. Ralf Schumacher finished second to complete a perfect result for Jordan, with only eight drivers finishing. In a race restarted due to a major crash at the original start, Mika Hakkinen spun out on the opening lap.
A furious Michael Schumacher squared up to David Coulthard after the German crashed out while leading the Belgian Grand Prix. Schumacher was trying to lap Coulthard when he caught the back of his car and lost his front wheel. Schumacher had to be pulled away from the McLaren driver when they returned to the pits, before Coulthard rejoined the race. Schumacher had a lead of 30 seconds when the incident took place.
David Coulthard was at the centre of a pile-up as the start to the Belgian GP began in chaos at Spa. Coulthard appeared to lose control of his car in very wet conditions at the start and the cars behind could not avoid him. Twelve cars were damaged but all the drivers were uninjured except for Eddie Irvine and Rubens Barrichello, with the Brazilian missing the restart. Championship leader Mika Hakkinen spun out when the race was re-started.
Damon Hill was ecstatic after driving to his first grand prix victory at the wheel of a Jordan car. "This is a great day for the Jordan team - just brilliant," said Hill. "We are really going to go out and celebrate this. It's time to party. "I've won 22 grands prix now, but getting your first win is something you never forget and I am really happy for Eddie and the team. "This is my latest victory so it has to be my best one," he added.
David Coulthard was adamant that he was not to blame for the incident which saw Michael Schumacher forced to retire. "He came into the garage saying that I tried to kill him. I find his behaviour totally unacceptable," Coulthard said. "The allegations he made were untrue. The team asked me to move across and tuck in on the right to keep out of his way. I did that and then he just drove straight into the back of my car." Schumacher and Coulthard have both seen the stewards about the incident.
DRIVERS' STANDINGS 1 M Hakkinen Fin McLaren 77 pts 2 M Schumacher Ger Ferrari 70 3 D Coulthard GB McLaren 48 4 E Irvine GB Ferrari 32 5 J Villeneuve Can Williams 20 6 A Wurz Aut Benetton 17 7 D Hill GB Jordan 16 8 G Fisichella It Benetton 15 9 H-H Frentzen Ger Williams 13 10 R Schumacher Ger Jordan 10 11 J Alesi Fr Sauber 7 12 R Barrichello Brz Stewart 4 13 M Salo Fin Arrows 3 = P Diniz Brz Arrows 3 15 J Herbert GB Sauber 1 = J Magnussen Den Stewart 1 = J Trulli It Prost 1 CONSTRUCTORS' STANDINGS 1 McLaren-Mercedes 125 pts 2 Ferrari 102 3 Williams-Mecachrome 33 4 Benetton 32 5 Jordan 26 6 Sauber-Petronas 8 7 Arrows 6 8 Stewart 5 9 Prost 1TOURING CARS (Brands Hatch):- Nigel Mansell's second BTCC appearance got off to a poor start after he finished 20th out of 21 starters in qualifying for Monday's Sprint race. Mansell is making three guest appearances for Ford Mondeo this year but was over a second slower than fastest qualifier Rickard Rydell. Rydell leads the championship by 35 points and kept his nearest rivals Anthony Reid and Alain Menu at bay. Rickard Rydell is on pole for the feature race.
Sunday's qualifying times: secs 1 R Rydell Swe Volvo 44.300 2 A Reid GB Nissan 44.331 3 J Thompson GB Honda 44.567 4 A Menu Swi Renault 44.609 5 J Plato GB Renault 44:622 6 D Leslie GB Nissan 44:648 7 M Neal GB Nissan 44:789 8 P Kox Hol Honda 44:795 9 G Morbidelli It Volvo 44:800 10 Y Muller Fr Audi 44:878 20 N Mansell GB Ford 45.595 Sunday's qualifying times: (one-shot showdown) secs 1 A Reid GB Nissan 44.583 2 R Rydell Swe Volvo 44.663 3 J Thompson GB Honda 44.804 4 D Leslie GB Nissan 44:998 5 A Menu Swi Renault 45.041 6 P Kox Hol Honda 45:046 7 J Plato GB Renault 45:092 8 G Morbidelli It Volvo 45:163 9 Y Muller Fr Audi 45:321 10 P Radisich NZ Peugeot 45:342 18 N Mansell GB Ford 46.219F.FORD (Brands Hatch):- Nicolas Kiesa upset the form book by setting the pace in qualifying to deny series leader Jenson Button. Button tried in vain, but was unable to beat Kiesa's time of 45.818. Daniel Wheldon took third place.
Sunday's qualifying times: secs 1 N Kiesa Van Diemen 46.818 2 J Button Mygale 45.849 3 D Wheldon Van Diemen 45.917 4 J Bleekemolen Fan Diemen 45.931 5 D Hayes Swift 45.939 6 C Murray Van Diemen 46.016FORD FIESTA'S (Brands Hatch):- Colin Stancombe will start Monday's 12th round of the Ford Credit Fiesta Championship on pole after breaking the circuit lap record. Testing pace-setter Ian Churchill is second, ahead of teenager Henry Taylor.
Sunday's qualifying times: secs 1 C Stancombe Fiesta Zetec 55.950 2 I Churchill Fiesta Zetec 56.047 3 H Taylor Fiesta Zetec 56.092 4 D Gibson Fiesta Zetec 56.133 5 S Clarke Fiesta Zetec 56.163 6 M Cullen Fiesta Zetec 56.269F.RENAULT (Brands Hatch):- Title rivals Al Coelho and Doug Bell will line up on the grid for Monday's round 13 of the championship. Both riders obliterated the lap record but Coelho will become champion if he outscores Bell by six points.
Sunday's qualifying times: secs 1 A Coelho Brz Tatuus 43.676 2 D Bell GB Tatuus 43.867 3 V Meira Brz Van Diemen 43.889 4 C Clark GB Tatuus 43.931 5 T Mullen GB Van Diemen 44.071 6 J d-P'ales Fr Van Diemen 44.338RENAULT SPIDER CUP (Brands Hatch):- Nick Hart is on pole for Monday's round 13 with title rivals Dan Eaves and Jamie Hunter in eighth and ninth. Simon Hill and Mark Cole were a career-best second and fourth, split by outside title bet Duncan Vercoe.
Testing times (Sun):secs
1 N Hart 49.208
2 S Hill 49.384
3 D Vercoe 49.430
4 M Cole 49.508
5 S Wiseman 49.540
6 A Priaulx 49.546
F.VAUXHALL JUNIOR (Brands Hatch):-
Sunday's round 14 qualifying times:
secs
1 L Walker 45.913
2 A Pizzonia 45.951
3 M Pavlovic 46.030
4 R Lyons 46.143
5 J Hanson 46.182
6 T Scheckter 46.301
VAUXHALL VECTRA'S (Brands Hatch):-
Sunday's round 12 qualifying times:
secs
1 S Graves 50.922
2 F Figueiredo 50.936
3 M Blair 51.106
4 J Yeomans 51.303
5 D Pinkney 51.395
6 P Sears 51.475
F3000 (Spa):- Uruguay's Gonzalo Rodriquez has won round 10 of the championship with Juan Pablo Montoya taking second place. Jason Watt battled to a creditable eighth place after being 20th while Gareth Rees did well to finish 11th.Saturday's result: hr:mins:secs 1 G Rodriquez Uru 1:03.10.630 2 J Montoya Col 1:03.13.585 3 S Ayarai Fr 1:03.14.885 4 N Heidfeld Ger 1:03.24.026 5 A Muller Ger 1:03.31.761 6 M Battistuzzi Brz 1:03.46.427NATIONAL MACADAM RALLY CH'SHIP:- John Price won the Mewla National Rally to strengthen his position at the top of the Championship.
Sunday result: hr:mins:secs 1 J Price Metro 6R4 1:17:18 2 B Fowden Escort Cos 1:18:16 3 E Pritchard Escort Cos 1:18:51 4 P Lloyd Escort Cos 1:19:42 5 M Evans BME M3 1:20:30 6 S Hendy Escort Cos 1:22:09