01.11.99
F1:- Eddie Irvine is looking forward to driving next season for the Jaguar team and to being in a different car to Michael Schumacher. Speaking after his narrow championship defeat at Suzuka, Irvine said: "I am really looking forward to Jaguar because they've got great potential. At least I won't be up against Michael Schumacher in the same car every race. Partnering Michael is like getting hit on the head with a cricket bat for four days. God help Rubens Barrichello."
Damon Hill paid tribute to double champion Mika Hakkinen after bringing
his own grand prix career to a woeful end in Japan. Hill, who failed to
finish the race, said: "Mika is a worthy champion. He has been put under
enormous pressure. The guy has fought for the championship two years on
the trot now. He has had a tough year and through no fault of his own lost
the advantage because of mechanical problem but has still come out on top."
CART:- Canadian Greg Moore was killed in a horrific crash on the 10th lap of the final race of the season. The 24-year-old suffered massive head injuries when his car spun off the track and broke up on hitting a wall. Organisers decided to carry on with the race even after the news of Moore's death came through, though all post- race ceremonies were cancelled. Moore almost did not take part in the race after suffering finger and hand injuries on Saturday.
Dario Franchitti failed in his brave bid to win the title after finishing level on points with Juan Montoya, who triumphed after winning more races. The event was overshadowed by the death of Greg Moore after a crash early on in the final race of the season. Montoya came fourth in the race while Scotland's Franchitti came in 10th, giving both drivers 212 points. Adrian Fernandez won his second race of the season, averaging 171.66mph in the 250-lap, 500-mile race.
Sunday's results:
laps
1 A Fernandez Mex Ford
250
2 M Papis It Ford
250
3 C Fittipaldi Brz Ford
250
4 J Montoya Col Honda
250
5 J Vasser US Honda
250
6 M Gugelmin Bra Mercedes 250
7 A Unser US Mercedes
249
8 T Kanaan Bra Honda
249
9 G de-Ferran Bra Honda
249
10 D Franchitti GB Honda 248
16 M Blundell GB Mercedes 193
Final driver standings: Points
1 J Montoya Col Honda
212 More races won in season
2 D Franchitti GB Honda
212
3 P Tracy Can Honda
161
4 M Andretti US Ford
151
5 M Papis It Ford
150
02.11.99
F1:- Jacques Villeneuve is threatening to quit Formula One strugglers BAR if team boss Craig Pollock is ousted. The Canadian is a close friend of Pollock, who may be forced to take the rap for the team's poor campaign. The stable endured a disappointing season, finishing in last place without scoring a single point. "A big reason for me joining was because Craig was instigating it," Villeneuve said. "So he's a key element remaining in the team."
F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has backed Michael Schumacher in his row with David Coulthard at the Japanese GP. He told the Daily Mail: "Michael quite rightly had a go. In my opinion what Coulthard did was quite wrong. He should have been black-flagged for it. It is up to David whether he wants to take any legal action." Coulthard later dismissed any suggestion that he might sue Schumacher saying: "There's no question of any legal action."
David Coulthard has stood his ground over the tactics that saw him hold up Michael Schumacher and help Mika Hakkinen to a second drivers' title. He said: "I understand why he is disappointed. I cost him two-and-a-half seconds, which just so happens to be the time he ended up behind Mika. Michael can't question my integrity. That does harm to my reputation as a racing driver in such a public way. I have every respect for him but this sort of thing does him no good at all."
Michael Schumacher reckons he will get on much better with Rubens Barrichello
than old teammate Eddie Irvine. "Rubens is a really good guy. I've never
had any problems or disagreements with him," Schumacher said. "I've always
had a good rapport with other drivers but I think that I will get on better
with Rubens than I did with Eddie. He's like me in that he's married, and
he doesn't have a crazy life like Eddie does. We'll get on well off the
track."
RALLY AUSTRALIA:- After the tarmac of Sanremo, the World Rally Championship moves to the hazardous dusty tracks of Western Australia for the penultimate round. The Telstra Rally Australia takes place around Perth from November 4-7. Drivers start on a super special stage under floodlights on Thursday then head into the outback for the rest of the first leg (11 stages in all) on Friday. An eight-stage second leg covers 160km and drivers end with spectacular jumps in the final leg in Bunnings forest.
An important new development for this year's race sees the introduction of a system allowing top drivers to select their re-start positions for each leg. The mass of small gravel which make conditions slippery makes running position of vital importance and can hinder the early cars. The rally leader will therefore be allowed to select how far he wants to start down the order the following day. If it proves successful, the 'seeding' process could be adopted elsewhere.
Tommi Makinen can clinch the World Rally Championship title for a fourth consecutive season in Australia. The Finn has a six-point lead over Didier Auriol in the drivers' standings and will retain his crown if he takes four points more than the Frenchman. Even if Auriol went on to win the Rally of Great Britain and Makinen failed to finish in that, the Finn would win on a tie-break after more wins this season. Makinen said: "I'm very confident and Australia has always been good for me."
Didier Auriol has not thrown in the towel for the drivers' title yet. The Toyota driver, who won in Australia in 1992 and has finished third in his last two outings, is six points behind his arch rival Tommi Makinen. Makinen can potentially wrap up the title even before the last round, but Auriol said: "We have to go for it! Everything is at stake in this event and we must finish ahead of Tommi. I have had some good results in Australia and we must try to win."
Carlos Sainz escaped serious injury in his crashing in Sanremo and has a clean bill of health to return in Perth. That is good news for Toyota, who only need nine points from Sainz and Didier Auriol from the last two rounds to clinch its third constructors' title. The Spaniard pointed out the two main hazards in the event, saying: "There are millions of little balls of gravel which make conditions very slippery. The roads are man-made and the lines can be quite unpredictable."
Colin McRae believes his Ford Focus is well suited to deal with the
event. The Scot has suffered a run of bad luck and poor reliability in
the second half of the season but will hope to benefit from a new engine
specification. The 31-year-old, who won the event in 1994 and 1997, said:
"I always enjoy Australia and I think the Ford Focus should be quite suited
to those stages. It has proved very stable on the fast sections during
the year and in Australia there are many like that."
03.11.99 - F1
F1 legend Jackie Stewart has attacked the decision to move the British
GP to April in next season's calendar. The British race will take place
at Silverstone on Easter Sunday, April 23, next year, with Austria replacing
it. "It's unusual and I cannot understand it," Stewart said. "Wimbledon
hasn't had its date changed for very many years, neither has the FA Cup
Final. We are disappointed as a new team coming in with a new identity
and Jaguar would have liked it in July."
04.11.99
F1:- Eddie Irvine missed out on a bonus of $2m when he failed to win
the world drivers championship on Sunday. Ferrari president Luca di Montezelomo
revealed he had offered Irvine the jackpot in August. "We wanted him to
win it and I told him to tell me if he wanted anything at all," he said.
Di Montezelomo also denied claims that Ferrari had not tried to help Irvine
as much as possible. "I am very hurt by these kinds of suggestions," he
added.
RALLY AUSTRALIA:- Colin McRae posted the fastest time in the opening day's solitary stage in Perth's Langley Park. McRae posted a time of 1:35.5 for the stage, which measured just over a mile, 0.4 seconds faster than Didier Auriol. Championship leader Tommi Makinen was 0.1 seconds further back with Juha Kankkunen in fourth spot. Richard Burns was equal seventh, 1.1 seconds behind McRae. Alister McRae was 31st for Hyundai, followed by Mark Higgins, while Martin Rowe was 34th.
Leading positions after 1 stage:min sec
1 C McRae GB Ford
1:35.5
2 D Auriol Fr Toyota
1:35.9
3 T Makinen Fin Mitsubishi 1:36.0
4 J Kankkunen Fin Subaru
1:36.1
5 F Loix Fr Mitsubishi
1:36.4
6 H Rovanpera Fin SEAT
1:36.5
7 R Burns GB Subaru
1:36.6
= N Bates Aus Toyota
1:36.6
9 T Radstrom Swe Ford
1:37.0
10 T Gard'ster Fin SEAT
1:37.3
Ford have signed double World rally champion Carlos Sainz in a two-year
deal worth a reported £3m. The Spaniard will partner Colin McRae,
whom he partnered at Subaru in 1995. He started his career with Ford and
last drove for them in 1997, but was left without a drive following Toyota's
decision to withdraw from rallying. Sainz, who will make his debut in Monte
Carlo in January, said: "I have enjoyed some very special moments with
Ford and I'm delighted to be with them again."
CHAMPION SPARK PLUG WORLD RANKING
Driver ratings (November 1)
Points
1 M Hakkinen Fin Formula One
920
6 E Irvine GB Formula
One 900
2 J Gordon US NASCAR
838
3 D Jarrett US NASCAR
838
4 H-H Frentzen Ger Formula One 830
5 N Heidfeld Ger F3000
823
7 D Franchitti GB Champ Cars
753
8 JP Montoya Col Champ Cars
749
9 J Burton US NASCAR
732
10 R Schumacher Ger Formula One 710
12 D Coulthard GB Formula One 650
MGF CUP:- Year 2000 of the MGF Cup Championship will be run as part
of PowerTour, the newly-launched racing package from the BRDC. The MGF
Cup starts again in March with the opening round at Thruxton.
05.11.99
F1:- The Victorian state government is committed to keeping the Australian
Grand Prix in Melbourne, despite record losses in 1999. The state's new
Premier Steve Bracks said that the race brought enormous economic benefits
to Victoria. "The new government is committed to keeping the Grand Prix,"
he said, "We want to keep it in Victoria." The next Formula One season
is scheduled to start in Melbourne on March 12 next year.
RALLY AUSTRALIA:- Tommi Makinen edged closer to his fourth successive World Championship after closest rival Didier Auriol was forced out after hitting a tree. It leaves Makinen needing just a podium finish to claim the title in Australia, but he dropped to fourth after sustaining a puncture. Richard Burns is in second spot, while Colin McRae suffered a puncture and is lying third. McRae's team-mate for next season Carlos Sainz is currently in the lead.
Leading positions after 11 stages:
hr min sec
1 C Sainz Sp Toyota
1:17.21.4
2 R Burns GB Subaru
@ 6.3
3 C McRae GB Ford
@50.2
4 T Makinen Fin Mitsubishi @1.18.7
5 F Loix Fr Mitsubishi
@1:51.1
6 T G'meister Fin SEAT
@2:01.0
7 H Rovanpera Fin SEAT
@2:57.5
8 T Radstrom Swe Ford
@3:27.7
9 N Bates Aus Toyota
@3:48.1
10 M Gronholm Fin Peugeot @4:28.3
NEWS:- Brands Hatch stages a unique event this weekend as 27 drivers
compete in two races specially designed by Jonathan Palmer for racers with
no experience. They were selected from circuit driving events which were
held at Palmer's Bedford Autodrome.
NEWS:- Tomas Scheckter beat the lap record in Valencia on his first
appearance in the Euro Open Movistar by Nissan Formula in free testing
for the weekend's races.
06.11.99
RALLY AUSTRALIA:- Richard Burns won four of the eight special stages to open up a four-second lead ahead of Sunday's finale. But Tommi Makinen, well adrift in third place, only needs to hold on to his podium finish to secure the title. Colin McRae and co-driver Nicky Grist meanhwile admitted they were lucky to escape without any serious injuries after a high-speed crash. "It was the kind of accident you want to forget about pretty quickly," the 31-year-old Scot said afterwards.
Leading positions after second leg:
hr min sec
1 R Burns GB Subaru
2:50:16.1
2 C Sainz Sp Toyota
2:50:20.5
3 T Makinen Fin Mitsubishi 2:52:56.6
4 F Loix Fr Mitsubishi
2:55:36.2
5 T Radstrom Swe Ford
2:56:58.6
6 M Gronholm Fin Peugeot 2:56:59.9
7 H Rovanpera Fin SEAT
2:57:08.8
8 U Nittel Ger Mitsubishi 2:05:28.8
9 K Erikkson Swe Hyundai 2:05:56.6
10 T Arai Jpn Subaru
2:06:22.2
F.PALMER AUDI (Brands Hatch):- Nick Peters won the first race of the weekend at the Winter Cracker meeting. Backmarkers denied Max Wakefield any chance of victory despite his valliant efforts while Paul Harvey, who qualified 17th, did well to finish 8th.
Saturday's race result: mins secs
1 N Peter
12:11.265
2 M Wakefield
12:21.209
3 T Gibson
12:30.076
4 T Wheeldon
12:33.083
5 J Coulhurst
12:33.571
6 M Edwards
12:35.561
07.11.99
F1:- Michael Schumacher has denied that he is happy ex-Ferrari teammate
Eddie Irvine failed to become world champion. The German insisted there
had been no rift with Irvine and was keen to clarify earlier comments that
he wasn't disappointed by the outcome. "What I said was that we can be
happy with the result because we won the constructors' championship," he
said. "We did everything we could to win the other one as well. I'd have
been very happy if Eddie had managed to win."
RALLY AUSTRALIA:- Britain's Richard Burns won the rally, as Tommi Makinen of Finland claimed the world drivers' title for the fourth year in a row. Burns beat Carlos Sainz by more than 11 seconds for a fourth career win. He now lies third in the drivers' championship with a chance of taking second place at the British rally in a fortnight's time. Makinen, who finished third in Perth, equalled compatriot Juha Kankkunen's record of four world rally crowns.
Richard Burns was thrilled to have come out on top in an exciting head-to-head encounter with Carlos Sainz in Perth. Burns said after his Rally Australia victory: "It was a great battle with Carlos, but it was great to do the televised stage without any nerves." Tommi Makinen, who clinched the world title, said: "This is just incredible, a fantasic feeling. Four years in a row is going to be very hard to beat. Now I can go to the British rally and try to win because I've never won it."
FINAL POSITIONS:
hr min sec
1 R Burns GB Subaru
3:44:31.5
2 C Sainz Sp Toyota
3:44:43.1
3 T Makinen Fin Mitsubishi 3:49:02.9
4 F Loix Fr Mitsubishi
3:52:04.0
5 M Gronholm Fin Peugeot 3:52:33.4
6 H Rovanpera Fin SEAT
3:52:44.3
7 T Radstrom Swe Ford
3:53:01.1
8 T Arai Jpn Subaru
4:05:49.8
9 K Erikkson Swe Hyundai 4:05:58.4
10 M Rowe GB Renault
4:06:29.1
DRIVER STANDINGS
Pts
1 T Makinen Fin Mitsubishi 62
2 D Auriol Fr Toyota
52
3 R Burns GB Subaru
45
4 C Sainz Sp Toyota
44
= J Kankkunen Fin Subaru
38
6 C McRae GB Ford
23
MANUFACTURER STANDINGS
1 Toyota 109 pts
2 Subaru 89
3 Mitsubishi 81
4 Ford
36
5 SEAT
19
6 Peugeot 11
7 Skoda
3
F.PALMER AUDI (Brands Hatch):- Nick Peters completed the perfect weekend with a second win from pole. Max Wakefield chased hard after a great move to take second from Paul Harvey and Chris Hyman bounced back to claim fourth spot.
Sunday's race result: mins secs
1 N Peter
12:07.533
2 M Wakefield
12:11.974
3 P Harvey
12:12.523
4 C Hyman
12:19.633
5 D Anley
12:26.008
6 J Coulthurst
12:26.268
F.FORD (Brands Hatch):- Anthony Davidson made it five wins from five starts when he clinched victory in both opening rounds of the series.
Sunday's race one result: mins secs
1 A Davidson Eng
12:13.978
2 M Taylor Eng
12:17.030
3 J Fourie SA
12:17.232
4 R Rudholm Swe
12:18.558
5 G Catt Eng
12:18.683
Sunday's race two result: mins secs
1 A Davidson Eng
16:37.545
2 M Taylor Eng
16:37.740
3 J Fourie SA
16:42.726
4 J Janis Cze
16:42.926
5 H Mutoh Jpn
16:43.090
10.11.99
F1:- Dubai is negotiating with Bernie Ecclestone to host a Formula One
race. Top rally driver Mohammed Bin Sulayem said: "The goverment is taking
care of it and a lot of meetings are going on." Bin Sulayem said his own
discussions with Ecclestone had shown that there would be no obstacle to
Dubai staging a race every year. An FIA spokesman said last month that
Ecclestone was talking to the Egyptian government about a possible race
there and another Middle East country.
NEWS:- Colin McRae has said that a Formula One test drive is still a
possibility, but it will not mean a move into F1. His Ford team offered
him a test drive with Stewart in March, leading to rumours that McRae would
switch. "I wasn't thinking of going to Formula One, it was just really
a bit of PR for Ford," he said. McRae, who has confirmed is staying with
Ford for next season, said that the F1 drive was still possible, though
he could not say when it might happen.
NEWS:- Brands Hatch has been sold to American advertising firm Interpublic
in a deal worth £120m. The Kent circuit will become part of Interpublic's
Octagon sports marketing and entertainment division.
11.11.99
SPORTSCARS:- Nissan have announced that they will not compete in the
Le Mans 24 hour race in 2000. The company is in debt and has recently embarked
on a restructuring programme but hopes to compete in the race again in
the future.
RALLYING:- Ford will move their rally team to new headquarters in December.
The team will move six miles across Cumbria to a £10m complex at
Dovenby Hall Estate. The team will also use Champion spark plugs next season.
12.11.99
RALLYING:- Didier Auriol is leaving Toyota to join SEAT for next season.
The 1994 world rally champion and Toni Gardemeister will both be driving
SEAT Cordoba WRC E2s on all 14 rounds of next year's championship. "As
a sportsman I feel I am currently performing better than ever and to be
with SEAT next year is an extra motivation," Auriol said. "SEAT is a team
with a lot of ambition and the passion to work hard and this is a strong
basis to achieve results."
BRITISH GT's:- Julian Bailey and Jamie Campbell Walter have been confirmed
as the champions of the Privilege Insurance British GT1 Championship for
this year. Magnus Wallinder and Geoff Lister were runners-up. The results
were ratified after RAC stewards considered protests.
F.FORD (Snetterton):- Anthony Davidson will be looking to extend his
championship lead in the Ford Zetec championship as the series moves to
Snetterton for round three. But Gary Catt could pose a threat after impressing
in recent testing.
FORD FIESTA'S (Snetterton):- In the Ford Fiesta Zetec championship,
Colin Stancombe will face a strong challenge from teammates Paul Rivett
and Matt Pinny. "Snetterton is all about two corners, Russell and Sear.
It's vital to get good exits from both of them," he said.
F.PALMER SERIES (Snetterton):- American Paul Edwards emerged fastest from the final Formula Palmer Audi test prior to Sunday's opening rounds. Paul Munn was only fractions behind, but only a tenth ahead of Tom Sisley. Youngster Adam Carroll finished in 4th.
Qualifying times (Fri): mins secs
1 P Edwards US
1:04.417
2 P Munn GB
1:04.711
3 T Sisley GB
1:04.821
4 A Carroll NI
1:05.272
5 G Pantano IT
1:05.392
6 J Simmons US
1:05.853
14.11.99
WINTER F.FORD (Snetterton):- Aberdeen's Peter Gray secured his first car racing win in the third round of the Winter Championship. The 19-year-old headed fellow teenagers Gary Turkington and Stefan Hodgetts on aggregate after the race was stopped when Ian Newport crashed on lap three.
Sunday's race result: mins secs
1 P Gray Sco
09:50.784
2 G Turkington NI 10:03.170
3 S Hodgetts Eng
10:03.958
4 R Scott NI
10:13.646
5 G Catt Eng
10:13.723
6 A Davidson Eng
10:13.840
F.PALMER AUDI (Snetterton):- American Paul Edwards emerged fastest from the final Formula Palmer Audi test prior to today's opening rounds. Paul Munn was only fractions behind, but only a tenth ahead of Tom Sisley. Youngster Adam Carroll finished in 4th.
Qualifying times (Fri): mins secs
1 P Edwards US
1:04.417
2 P Munn GB
1:04.711
3 T Sisley GB
1:04.821
4 A Carroll NI
1:05.272
5 G Pantano IT
1:05.392
6 J Simmons US
1:05.853
F.NIPPON (Suzuka):- Britain's Ralph Firman dominated the final round of the Japanese series when he scored a lights-to-flag victory. Firman claimed his first single-seater win since 1996 and it gave him fourth place overall. Scot Peter Dumbreck was 10th and is eighth overall.
Race result (Sun):
hr min sec
1 R Firman G Force
1:07.34
2 M Krumm Reynard
1:07.37
3 J Wakisaka Reynard
1:07.38
4 M Kageyama Reynard
1:07.39
5 R Michigami Lola
1:07.40
6 H Kato G Force
1:07.41
15.11.99
F.RENAULT SPORT WINTER SERIES:-
Round 1 result (Donington Park):
1 K Raikkonen Fin 19:44.74
2 T Rumpfkeil Ger 19:52.78
3 M Winkelhock Ger 19:56.84
4 M McLoughlin GB 19:58.65
5 B Roos SA
20:03.58
6 R Antinucci US
20:20.08
Round 2 (Donington Park)
1 K Raikkonen Fin 16:49.18
2 T Rumpfkeil Ger 17:03.03
3 M Winkelhock Ger 17:06.59
4 M McLoughlin GB 17:08.94
5 A Jones GB
17:09.56
6 R Antinucci US
17:14.02
CHAMPION SPARK PLUG WORLD RANKING
Driver ratings (November 15) Points
1 M Hakkinen Fin Formula One
920
2 E Irvine GB Formula
One 900
3 D Jarrett US NASCAR
838
4 H-H Frentzen Ger Formula One 830
5 N Heidfeld Ger F3000
823
6 J Gordon US NASCAR
780
7 J Burton US NASCAR
755
8 D Franchitti GB Champ Cars
753
9 JP Montoya Col Champ Cars
749
10 R Schumacher Ger Formula One 710
12 D Coulthard GB Formula One 650
17.11.99
F1:- New Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello says he has no fears about
lining up alongside Michael Schumacher. Barrichello, who replaces Eddie
Irvine next year, said: "If I'd joined Ferrari five or six seasons ago,
it probably wouldn't have been a good move for me. But now I'm mature enough
not to be worried about the comparisons. I'm not frightened of driving
with Michael. I've never driven a car that's as competitive as this. Who
knows how I'll react when I've got my hands on it?"
THE NETWORK Q RALLY GREAT BRITAIN:- The final round of the 1999 World Championship is set to be a dramatic affair even though the driver and manufacturer titles have been decided. Tommi Makinen clinched his fourth crown in a row in the previous round in Australia, while Toyota took the manufacturer honours. It means the top drivers will be under less pressure and so be free to take risks in the Cheltenham-based event. Leg one is on Sunday and the rally is due to finish on Tuesday evening.
Tommi Makinen will be looking to win the event for the first time having already retained the drivers' title. "I am looking forward to going to Britain without pressure to try and win against the British drivers Richard Burns and Colin McRae," he admitted. "I am sure it is going to be very difficult but we will try our best and our car is working very well." Makinen won the title last year in Britain when Carlos Sainz's engine failed 100 yards from the finish.
Finland's Tommi Makinen could claim to be the greatest rally driver ever after securing his fourth world title in a row this season. Juha Kankkunen also achieved four triumphs but not in consecutive years. Modest Makinen commented: "It is not for me to say if I am the best driver ever. It is a fantastic feeling to have won again. I am not even thinking about a fifth yet. This win was easier than last year and not as satisfying as 1996."
Richard Burns knows that victory on home soil could hand him second place overall in the drivers' championship. The Englishman won this event last year and goes into Sunday's first leg on the back of a victory in Australia earlier this month. "I will be going for the win and believe I can do it," Burns stated. Burns also won in Greece this year and was pipped to a victory by team-mate Juha Kankkunen in Argentina after a mix-up over team orders.
Briton Richard Burns is one of the favourites to win the event but believes he faces a tougher task than last year. Burns took the spoils in 1998 but he said: "In the last couple of years it has been down to me or Colin McRae. "The others have had the championship to worry about. Now we will see people like Tommi Makinen, Didier Auriol, Carlos Sainz and Juha Kankkunen going for it so it could be more difficult for us."
Colin McRae and co-driver Nicky Grist will go into their home event aiming to pick up their third win of the year. Scot McRae claimed the 1995 title by winning this event and also triumphed in Britain in 1994 and 1997. "It obviously holds great memories for me," he revealed. "For the first time in several years both titles have been decided before this rally. All the drivers have nothing to lose. They can all go all flat outfor victory and that should provide excitement."
Ford star Colin McRae believes the rally could turn into a straight fight between him and fellow British driver Richard Burns. "I would not be surprised if it came down to a battle between myself and Richard," confirmed McRae. "Home knowledge is a big advantage for anyone in the Welsh forests and both Richard and myself have that advantage. It should be very close but I am certainly not going into it thinking second place would be a good result."
Didier Auriol and Carlos Sainz will be bidding to ensure that manufacturer champions Toyota go out on a high. Toyota are pulling out of the World Championship after this event to work on building a Formula One team. Auriol is currently second overall in the standings and will be keen to hang on to that spot but Sainz is also well- placed in fourth. It was at this rally in 1972 that team boss Ove Andersson convinced Toyota to lend him a Celica. The rest is history.
Mitsubishi driver Freddy Loix will be contesting the Rally of Great Britain for the first time on Sunday. The Belgian conceded: "It is one of the most difficult rallies because of the weather but I feel I understand the Carisma better now. It would be fantastic if we could finish in the points again, just like we did in Australia and San Remo. Although the world championships are settled, I think that it will be a very interesting rally."
Thomas Radstrom will be reunited with former co-driver Gunnar Barth for his first attempt at the rally. Fred Gallagher, who had partnered the Ford star this season, is unavailable because he is clerk of the course for the Rally of Great Britain. Barth co-drove his compatriot in five World Championship events last year. "Gunnar and I have worked together a lot," said Radstrom. "Our first rally was back in 1987 so switching co-drivers will not create problems."
Peugeot will be aiming to get back on track in their development year after suffering a hitch in the last round in Australia earlier this month. The team had to withdraw Francois Delecour when they ran out of gearboxes for the car. Frenchman Delecour is more at home on tarmac but has achieved two finishes from four starts in Britain. He was fourth in 1993, while team-mate Marcus Gronholm - who will be making his third start - was fifth in 1997.
Skoda Motorsport will field their most experienced ever international line-up for their maiden UK appearance. One Octavia WRC will be crewed by German pairing Armin Schwarz and Manfred Hiemer. Belgian duo Bruno Thiry and Stephane Prevot will make their debuts for Skoda in the other car. Team manager Pavel Janeba said: "We are very pleased that Bruno is joining us in Britain. We would like to end this learning session with a good result."
Renault are on course to win the FIA two-litre World Cup for manufacturers, with only Hyundai standing an outside chance of usurping them. Tapio Laukkanen and Martin Rowe need to claim at least a third-place finish in class because Renault have a 14-point lead over their rivals. However, Renault UK Motorsport director Andrew Luck insisted: "Anything can happen in rallying. We will approach this event as if it was the first on the calendar."
Alister McRae's task will be to help Hyundai clinch the two-litre World Cup with a Formula Two victory. McRae and team-mate Kenneth Eriksson need to finish first and second to have any chance of overturning Renault. The Briton has already notched triumphs in Portugal and China this year, while Swede Eriksson won in Greece, New Zealand and Australia. It will be the works cars' final outing, with the new Accent WRC set to feature in the 2000 World Championship.
Volkswagen's Mark Higgins is likely to be one of the pacesetters in the two- litre World Cup category. He has finished Formula Two runner-up in the rally on more than one occasion and was third overall in 1993. "The car ran well in Australia. It gives me hope for what we can achieve in the forests near my home," he said. Renault's Tapio Laukkanen and Martin Rowe, Vauxhall's Neil Wearden and Jarmo Kytolehto and Hyundai's Alister McRae and Kenneth Eriksson may hit his hopes.
Vauxhall star Neil Wearden has switched from four wheels to two in a bid to be ready for Sunday's first leg. The 27-year-old has been putting in extra 30-to-40-mile cycling treks in the forests of the Lake District as part of his fitness regime. "The first half of the season was pretty good but I have had my share of bad luck in the second half so want to end the year with a finish," he said. "I am capable of running consistently in the top three in Formula Two."
Harri Rovanpera, Toni Gardemeister and Gwyndaf Evans will head SEAT Sport's challenge in the Cordoba WRC E2s. Rovanpera and Gardemeister have always finished the Rally of Great Britain, while Evans has contested the event every year since 1987. "I enjoy the rally but it is also a difficult event," admitted Rovanpera. "The weather is usually not so nice. Fog and rain make the roads very slippery and anything can happen. I am confident we can finish in the points."
Buckinghamshire's Mike Brown will be contesting a round of the World Championship for the first time. He will move up from the SEAT Ibiza Evo 1 kit car he drove in the British Championship this year to the Evo 2 and will be co-driven by Aled Davies. "It is the most successful Formula Two car in the history of world rallying," said Brown. "My priority is to try and finish the rally but I would also like to finish inside the top six in class."
The three runners-up in the 1999 Peugeot Super 106 Cup have earned entries to the rally. Martin Sansom was second in the Cup and has contested the rally before but did not make it past the first day. Hull's Kevin Furber was third and made his return to the sport this season after a six-year lay-off, while Steven Clark also secured a rally place. Mark Fisher won the Peugeot series and will be competing in a four-wheel drive car, with Rory Kennedy as co-driver.
This year's Rally of Great Britain will be the last one to be based in Cheltenham - for three years at least. In 2000 the event will switch to Cardiff and the format of the rally will also be changed. The opening day public stages, which give fans good viewing chances, will be no more after this year's rally. Sunday's leg one includes the super special stage at Silverstone where two cars at a time compete on a gravel circuit with jumps and a watersplash.
Two million spectators are expected to watch the Rally of Great Britain over the three days, from Sunday to Tuesday. Michelin went through 3,423 tyres on last year's rally. The first Rally of Great Britain was held in 1932 and the 1999 event marks the 55th time it has been held. In 1967 the rally was cancelled because of an outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in Britain. 11,000 volunteers work on the rally.
Jarmo Kytolehto will have his last outing in a Vauxhall Astra in the Rally of Great Britain. He is being replaced by Mark Higgins next season but he said: "I was second in Formula Two in 1998 and this year I want to win." The 38-year-old added: "The car is capable of winning and it would be the best way to leave Vauxhall." Mark Higgins' place in the Volkswagen team in 1999 will be taken by current Renault driver Tapio Laukkanen.
Two husband and wife teams have entered - Dave and Pamela Hull from
Hertfordshire and Hampshire's Innes and Alyson Marlow. Father and sons
Steven and Nigel Bayley from Cheshire and Gary and Gordon Adam from Scotland
are among the starters. ITV trio Martin Brundle, Tony Jardine and Louise
Goodman will be competing. Jardine's co-driver will be Anglia TV's head
of sport Kevin Piper, while The Observer's Formula One correspondent Maurice
Hamilton will partner Goodman.
Sunday November 21: LEG ONE
0827 Start Cheltenham
0830 SS1 Cheltenham 1
1.91km
0948 SS2 Cornbury
4.17km
1118 SS3 Silverstone 1
10.02km
1133 SS4 Silverstone 2
10.02km
1350 SS5 Blenheim
5.62km
1527 SS6 Silverstone
Super Special 1.96km
1735 SS7 Cheltenham 2
1.91km
1852 Finish Cheltenham
Monday November 22: LEG TWO
0515 Start Cheltenham
0739 SS8 Radnor
23.69km
1004 SS9 Crychan
16.89km
1041 SS10 Esgair Dafydd
8.64km
1139 SS11 Tywl
22.65km
1428 SS12 Sweet Lamb 1
25.70km
1510 SS13 Myherin 1
16.72km
1808 SS14 Sweet Lamb 2
25.70km
1852 SS15 Myherin 2
16.72km
2306 Finish Cheltenham
Tuesday November 23: LEG THREE
0515 Start Cheltenham
0729 SS16 St Gwynno
13.67km
0756 SS17 Tyle
10.55km
0832 SS18 Rhondda
35.82km
1041 SS19 Rheola 1
31.47km
1231 SS20 Resolfen
46.45km
1439 SS21 Rheola 2
31.47km
1557 SS22 Margam
27.64km
1915 Finish Cheltenham
18.11.99
F1:- Jacques Villeneuve ended speculation about his future at British
American Racing saying he would see out his contract until the end of 2000.
The Canadian former World Champion has previously said that if BAR manager
and team chairman Craig Pollock left he would follow. In an interview with
Autosport, Villeneuve said: "I have said before that if Craig goes, I go.
I would go to the end of my term, though," he added.
F.PALMER AUDI (Silverstone):- Tom Sisley bounced back after his disappointment at Snetterton to be fastest in testing for the final two rounds of the winter series on Sunday. Team America driver Paul Edwards, winner of the first two rounds was 0.012 seconds adrift.
Leading testing times (Thu):secs
1 T Sisley
44.395
2 P Edwards
44.519
3 P Munn
44.524
4 G Pantano
44.789
5 D Hazlewood
44.792
6 S Pearson
44.884
19.11.99
F1:- Next year's British Grand Prix will take place on April 23 ` despite
rumours it was being switched back to its traditional mid-July date. The
FIA, the sport's world governing body, confirmed that Silverstone will
host the fourth round of the 2000 World Championship on Easter Sunday.
"There have been no changes to the Formula One calendar which was issued
on October 6," a spokesman said. The new Formula One season gets underway
in Australia on March 12.
F3 (Macau):- British Formula Three champion Marc Hynes is determined
to win the annual end-of-season showdown for the world's best F3 drivers
on Sunday. Hynes has already triumphed in the most prestigious European
Formula Three race - the Marlboro Masters in Holland. Sunday's race is
held over two 15-lap heats, with the driver with the best aggregate winning.
"I really want to win this one," said Hynes. "To take a grand slam of titles
would be incredible."
F.RENAULT (Donington Park):- Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen will be the
driver to beat in Sunday's rou ds three and four after winning both opening
rounds of the winter series. Germans Timo Rumpfkeil and Marcus Winkelhock
and Britons Mark McLoughlin and Adam Jones will also be bidding to make
their mark. McLoughlin leads the Star Cup division, while privateer Jason
Coffin is well clear in the BARC runners' class. Dan Barrett and Tom Ferrier
are hoping for better luck in these rounds.
21.11.99
MACAU GRAND PRIX
Formula 3 result: (Sun) hr min secs
1 D Manning GB
1:07.56.279
2 J Button GB
1:08.20.869
3 D Itoh Jpn
1:09.02.880
4 T Matsuda Jpn
1:09.17.267
5 Y Olivier Bel
1:09.47.258
6 M Spoldi It
1:09.58.259
F.RENAULT (Donington Park):- Kimi Raikkonen won rounds three and four to end the series unbeaten and claim Overall division honours. Richard Antinucci led the first race before spinning out with a puncture, while Markus Winkelhock pipped teammate Timo Rumpkell for the European title.
Round three result:
1 K Raikkonener Tatuus 16:32.390
2 M McLoughlin Tatuus 16:36.482
3 M Schmidt Tatuus
16:37.428
Round four result:
1 K Raikkonener Tatuus 17:26.568
2 M McLoughlin Tatuus 17:37.872
3 M Winkelhock Tatuus 17:43.147
SPORTSCARS:- Mercedes will not compete in next year's Le Mans 24 Hours
race, the company has revealed.
NETWORK Q RALLY OF GREAT BRITAIN
LEADERBOARD after 7 of 22 stages
(interim)
hr min sec
1 J Kankkunen Fin Subaru 27:00.7
2 F Delacour Fr Peugeot
27:04.2
3 M Gronholm Fin Peugeot 27:05.2
4 R Burns GB Subuaru
27:08.8
5 C Sainz Sp Toyota
27:17.5
6 D Auriol Fr Toyota
27:23.9
7 T Makinen Fin Mit'bishi 27:24.4
8 C McRae GB Ford
27:24.6
9 P Solberg Nor Ford
27:27.9
10 H Rov'pera Fin SEAT
27:33.2
11 B Thiry Bel Skoda
27:34.4
12 M Martin Est Toyota
27:37.8
13 F Loix Bel Mit'bishi
27:39.6
14 A Schwarz Ger Skoda
27:42.3
15 T Gard'ter Fin SEAT
27:42.5
16 G Evans GB SEAT
27:43.3
17 G Panizzi Fr Peugeot
27:50.0
18 A Kremer Ger Subaru
28:04.4
19 K Hol'czyz Pol Subaru 28:06.3
20 H Solberg Nor Ford
28:10.8
21 L Climent Sp Subaru
28:17.0
22 M Kahle Ger Toyota
28:22.4
23 T Radstrom Swe Ford
28:32.8
24 J Kulig Pol Ford
28:45.4
Finn Tommi Makinen started the Network Q Rally of Great Britain hoping to put behind him the bad luck that has dogged him in this country. He took fastest time on stage one, but then came to grief on the Cornbury stage, sliding and hitting a bank. This allowed Juha Kankkunen to take the lead with the Subaru and he has continued to extend this lead. All the crews have reported that the early stages have been very slippery and several have lost time sliding off.
Colin McRae and Richard Burns have been suffering in the tricky conditions on the opening day of the Network Q Rally. Burns slid off and stalled the Subaru on stage two dropping several seconds, but he has fought his way back up the leaderboard ahead of Scot Colin McRae. McRae made a bad tyre choice and lost time sliding off on the same stage. Marcus Gromholm set fastest time on stage five, Blenheim, to consolidate third overall in the Peugeot, just behind teammate Francois Delacour.
Highest placed F2 driver is Jarmo Kytolehto on the Vauxhall Astra, with teammate Neil Wearden two class places behind him. Splitting the two Vauxhalls are British Rally Champion Tapio Laukkanen in the Renault and Scotlan 's Alister McRae in the Hyundai. This will be Laukkanen's last event in the F2 Renault as the team are withdrawing from rallying next year. They are hoping to clinch the F2 World Rally Title at this event.
Tapio Laukkanen ended leg 1 of the final round of the FIA World Rally Championship in second place in F2. The Renault driver commented: "Second place is a good position overnight. We had a good run today and I am confident of beating Hyundai." Vauxhall's Jarmo Kytolehto is currently leading the category, only Alister McRae in the Hyundai can prevent Renault from clinching the World Title. Renault team mate Martin Rowe is currently seventh F2 car.
At the end of Leg 1 of the Network Q Rally, Ford Focus driver Colin
McRae said: "Today hasn't gone as well as I'd wanted. The real rally begins
tomorrow and I'm fired up now. After two or three Welsh stages, we'll be
better placed." Team mate Thomas Radstrom has also not had the easiest
of days: "I haven't driven these stages before and they are all very difficult.
It has been a very long day for just 35 kilometers."
23.11.99
F1:- Williams technical chief Patrick Head and former designer Adrian
Newey have been acquitted in the appeals trial into the death of Ayrton
Senna. The court in Bologna has rejected prosecution demands for a one-year
suspended sentence. Senna died after his Williams-Renault crashed at the
San Marino GP in 1994. Court president Francesco Mirio Agnoli acquitted
Head and Newey after judging that the accusations levelled at them contained
"no proof of blame."
SPORTSCARS:- Porsche have joined the growing list of manufacturers who
have decided to pull out of the Le Mans 24-hour race. A Porsche spokesman
said: "In order to put resources at the disposal of the production of a
new 4x4 it was necessary to end our preparations."
CHAMPION SPARK PLUG WORLD RANKING
Driver ratings (November 22) Points
1 M Hakkinen Fin Formula One
920
2 E Irvine GB Formula
One 900
3 D Jarrett US NASCAR
854
4 H-H Frentzen Ger Formula One 830
5 N Heidfeld Ger F3000
823
6 J Burton US NASCAR
759
7 D Franchitti GB Champ Cars
753
8 JP Montoya Col Champ Cars
749
= J Gordon US NASCAR
749
10 B Labonte US NASCAR
737
12 D Coulthard GB Formula One 650
F.PALMER AUDI (Silverstone):- American Paul Edwards won the winter series with a lights-to-flag victory in the third round.
Round three result:
mins secs
1 P Edwards US
11:25.390
2 P Munn
GB 11:25.438
3 T Sisley GB
11:26.539
4 G Pantano It
11:29.782
5 D Hazlewood GB
11:36.822
6 A Lally
US 11:37.981
7 J Simmons US
11:37.020
8 S Pearson GB
11:43.151
9 P Rozalowski Can
11:45.392
10 B Balcombe GB
12:00.792
Paul Munn triumphed in his first Formula Palmer Audi race to clinch second spot in the championship.
Round four result:
mins secs
1 P Munn
GB 11:24.747
2 T Sisley GB
11:24.767
3 G Pantano It
11:25.100
4 P Edwards US
11:27.581
5 A Lally
US 11:29.071
6 J Simmons US
11:29.525
7 D Hazlewood GB
11:30.275
8 A Carroll NI
11:34.968
9 M Rihs
Aut 11:36.285
10 B Hayden GB
11:37.206
FINAL STANDINGS:
After four rounds, one round dropped)
1 P Edwards US
72 pts
2 P Munn
GB 64
3 G Pantano It
52
4 A Carroll NI
48
5 A Lally
US 44
6 M Rihs
Aut 42
= D Hazlewood GB
42
8 J Simmons US
39
9 T Sisley GB
38
10 S Pearson GB
37
Network Q Rally of Great Britain
LEADERBOARD after 15 of 22 stages
(interim)
hr min sec
1 R Burns GB Subaru
2:01:41.0
2 J Kankkunen Fin Subaru 2:02:10.0
3 M Gronholm Fin Peugeot 2:02:25.2
4 H Rov'pera Fin SEAT
2:04:43.8
5 T Makinen Fin Mit'bishi 2:05:07.7
6 D Auriol Fr Toyota
2:05:42.8
7 F Delacour Fr Peugeot 2:06:18.1
8 T Radstrom Swe Ford
2:06:19.6
9 F Loix Bel Mit'bishi 2:07:23.9
10 C Sainz Sp Toyota
2:08:18.2
SS15 Cancelled after 10 cars
Colin McRae's Rally of Great Britain has come to an end on stage 15, 7km into the final stage of leg 2. "We were going off anyway, but when we slid off we hit a car left from the earlier running of the stage. "It hit on Nicky's side and tore two wheels off, so that's the event over," said McRae. Both McRae and co-driver Nicky Grist were unhurt for the second rally in succession. In Australia they smashed into a tree at around 100mph.
Richard Burns has held the lead of the Network Q Rally of Great Britain for the whole of leg 2. The Subaru driver took the lead from team mate Juha Kankkunen early on Leg 1 and has not been seriously challenged. Co-driver Robert Reid said "We nearly went off backwards in Myherin, but if you don't try you don't gain. We're still trying hard, you've got to keep pushing because tomorrow's the longest day and with anything could happen."
Martin Brundle's second attempt at the Network Q Rally of Great Britain lasted slightly longer then his first. However the racing driver has again crashed out in the forests of Wales, his rally ending on stage 13. Tony Jardine, better known for his analysis of F1 was pleased with his performance in the Proton Compact. "Thankfully the conditions are less muddy than we anticipated. Kevin and I are really working well. Today has been a lot more fun than yesterday."
Volkswagen Motorsport's assault on the Network Q Rally continued well on Leg 2 with Mark Higgins holding second in the F2 category. "We've had a very good day. The Pirelli tyres have been fantastic and the very slippery conditions have suited my style." F2 rivals Hynundai lost Alister McRae on stage 11 when the Scot rolled into retirement. The loss of Hyundai also handed Renault the F2 World Championship.
The Network Q Rally of Great Britain ran into time problems as spectators
swamped the Welsh stages on Leg 2. Traffic congestion caused the rally
to run late and the organisers to cancel the last two stages of the night
for all but 66 crews. Following this, Colin McRae's accident on stage 15
stopped that stage from being completed. All crews that are affected by
these stoppages will be given nominal times and will restart Leg 3 on Tuesday.
24.11.99
F1:- Luciano Burti has joined Jaguar as a test driver for the 2000 campaign.
The 24-year-old Brazilian was second in this year's British Formula Three
Championship and will test components for the car in Jerez next month.
He will be joined at the December 14-15 sessions in Spain by Eddie Irvine
and Johnny Herbert. It will be Irvine's first appearance for the team since
leaving Ferrari. Jaguar, formerly Stewart-Ford, are set to unveil their
new car on January 25.
IRL:- Al Unser Jnr has signed a five-year deal with Galles Racing to
switch from CART to the Indy Racing League. The two-time Indianapolis 500
winner drove for Galles in the 1980s and early nineties and Unser said:
"I am really excited to be back with Rick Galles." Porsche have said their
decision not to enter a works team in the Le Mans 24-hour race or American
Le Mans series was down to development reasons. They are working on a sports
utility vehicle, which will go on sale in 2002.
NETWORK Q RALLY GREAT BRITAIN:- Richard Burns will be going all out to become world champion next year but he will not be writing off British rival Colin McRae as a contender. Burns, who won the Rally of Great Britain for the second successive year, finished as the overall 1999 runner-up. McRae did not finish the British event but Burns said: "It is not as though he has forgotten how to drive. I am sure he will be a threat next year. I just hope I can overcome that threat and be world champion."
Subaru are the likely favourites for the 2000 manufacturers' crown but team boss David Richards believes Peugeot will be the surprise package. Richards claimed: "Peugeot will be the main threat next year and everyone should realise that now." However, Richards is tipping his own driver Richard Burns to become the next world champion. He added: "Richard, for my money, is world champion in 2000. He has exceeded our expectations this year."
Hyundai narrowly missed out on taking the two-litre World Cup for manufacturers but Alister McRae was philosophical about the result. Renault's Martin Rowe and Tapio Laukkanen ensured that it was their team that took the honours at the Rally of Great Britain. McRae retired from the event and seven points eventually separated the teams. "This sort of thing is always a possibility when you are really going for it," admitted McRae.
Richard Burns drove an outstanding rally to take the outright win on the Network Q Rally of Great Britain. The Englishman shrugged off minor problems, including and engine bay fire on Leg 2 to hold a commanding lead over Subaru team mate Juha Kankunen. "It's a fantastic result to be part of a Subaru 1-2. Everything worked well for me. There were so many people cheering me on, there were even fireworks on the hills at one point." he added.
Richard Burns has emerged from the shadows of Colin McRae after replacing him at Subaru. He beamed: "This is just a fantastic feeling to win my home rally again. "It is difficult enough to win the rally for a first time where there is so much pressure on you. But to do it again I enjoyed it much more. I tried very hard throughout, but not on every single stage. If you do that you are going to have a problem and go off. I pushed extremely hard."
World champion Tommi Makinen's bid to win the event for the first time once again ended in failure. He went out between the 19th and 20th stages when the engine on his Mitsubishi overheated. The Finn's best result in Britain was back in 1997 when he finished sixth to secure the drivers' crown. Mitsubishi team director Andrew Cowan said: "We decided to pull him out. He could have carried on but we could have damaged the engine beyond recognition."
Welshman Gwyndaf Evans was forced to retire from the race late on. Evans' SEAT Cordoba WRC developed problems on stage 21 and the team retired the car at the following service. Teammate Harri Rovanpera is on his way to a best ever finish for SEAT, if he completes the rally in his current form he will be third overall. Mike Brown in the F2 SEAT crashed out 14kms into stage 18, ripping a wheel off the car.
Former world champion Carlos Sainz was forced to pull out of the event on the penultimate stage. Sainz, who suffered agony last year when he was denied the world title when his engine expired yards from the finish, had more bad luck. A Toyota team spokeswoman said Sainz, who had fought back to seventh after a mistake which cost him four minutes on Monday, broke the suspension. The problem left him unable to complete the 21st stage.
Bruno Thiry brough the Skoda Octavia WRC in to an excellent 4th overall on the Rally of Great Britain. "This rally is always hard work. I was trying to do my best for Skoda; you need a little luck in the game and on this event some of it came our way. The amazing thing is many of my times were better this year in the Skoda than last year in the Escort WRC but maybe the better weather helped. I thought a top 15 place would be good so I'm delighted with fourth."
Marcus Gronholm's impressive run on the Network Q Rally ended on stage 19, Rheola 1. The Finn had been setting very fast times all through the event but rolled the Peugeot well off the track, with it turning over six times. Francois-Xavier del Fosse commented: "The car was completely destroyed, but the crew are both okay. They walked away from the accident. When you are behind Kankkunen you are always fighting hard."
Another familiar British rally star has failed to finish the Rally of Great Britain. Tapio Laukkanen was forced to retire with blocked fuel lines. Renault's 'flying Finn' and reigning British Rally Champion was leading the F2 category when disaster struck. Renault's bid for the F2 World title is still on, with team-mate Martin Rowe now lying second in F2. In order to clinch the manufacturers' title, Renault needs just one of the Maxi Meganes to finish the event.
David Higgins' bid for success ended on stage 18 of the event when he was leading Group N. The Barretts Subaru driver lost a front wheel when the wheel nuts sheered. He then dropped 45 minutes but got the car into service and although they have repaired the car the team have decided to retire from the event. Team Manager Paul Barrett commented: "It was a shame as David had been going so well but there was no point in continuing so far down the field."
Norwegian driver Petter Solberg had his Rally of Great Britain livened up during stage 20 - the 28 miler Resolfen "I got the car airbourne, but when I land I stamp on the brake and nothing happens. The car has a bit of damage to it now, but we don't talk about that." Co-driver Phil Mills added: "No brakes made the downhill stretch to the hairpin really, er, interesting. The spectators must have wondered what was going on, we came down with the car sideways trying to scrub off speed!"
Juha Kankkunen's service crew discovered a potential problem with the clutch after stage 20 on the Rally of Great Britain. The Subaru team bled the hydraulics as a precaution and David Lapworth said: "It's a straightforward procedure 99 times out of 100. This time was the 100th!.. The procedure failed first time round. We were forced to repeat the exercise which meant Kankkunen left service about 4 minutes behind schedule."
Jonny Milner has finished the Network Q Rally with his best ever placing
after an excellent run in the WRC Toyota. A delighted Jonny said: "The
last stage was the worst of my life. Not just because I wanted to finish
but it was very foggy. "We had to almost stop to be sure of where we were
going, I'm just so glad it's all over! I'll hopefully be home in time,
as my wife is due to go into labour any time now."
DRIVER STANDINGS
Pts
1 T Makinen Fin Mitsubishi 62
2 R Burns GB Subaru
55
3 D Auriol Fr Toyota
52
4 J Kankkunen Fin Subaru
44
= C Sainz Sp Toyota
44
6 C McRae GB Ford
23
MANUFACTURER STANDINGS
1 Toyota 109 pts
2 Subaru 105
3 Mitsubishi 83
4 Ford
37
5 SEAT
23
6 Peugeot 11
7 Skoda
6
RETIREMENTS:
T Makinen Fin Mitsubishi
overheated engine
C McRae GB
Ford Accident
T Gardemeister Fin SEAT
Clutch
T Laukkanen Fin Renault
Did not complete
A McRae GB
Hyundai Rolled in stage
M Stohl Aut Mitsubishi
Rolled in stage
A Bakhashab SA Toyota
Off in stage
J Papadimitriou Gre Subaru Accident
J Kulig Pol Ford
Off in stage
M Dodd GB
Ford Suspension
M Brundle GB Toyota
Radiator
H Solberg Nor Ford
Stopped in stage
D Higgins GB Subaru
Did not complete
P Tsjoen Bel Mitsubishi
Did not complate
J Easson GB Mitsubishi
Engine
G Jones GB
Subaru Blown turbo
P Walfridsson Swe Mitsubishi Did not complete
T Bengry GB Mitsubishi
Gearbox
P Bijvelds Nor Mitsubishi Sump
K Nilsson Swe Subaru
Accident
P Littler GB Ford
Alternator bracket
M Brown GB
SEAT Did not complete
G Midwinter GB Ford
Shock absorber
R Ceen GB
Ford Differential
R Svec Cz
Mitsubishi Retired in service
A Pinkner Aus Mitsubishi
Driveshaft
D Humphreys GB Mitsubishi Withdrawn
S Hill GB
Mitsubishi Engine
M Beckton Aus Subaru
Stopped in stage
A Cavenagh Ken Mitsubishi No
fuel pressure
D Henderson GB Mitsubishi Off
in stage
P Snell GB
Ford Differential
M Stenshorne Hol Subaru
Mechanical
D Whitehurst GB Honda
Time barred
J Lloyd GB
Subaru Off in stage
B Charalambous Gre Ford
Electrical
D Fois GB
Ford Engine mounting
C Exton GB
Honda Engine
E Roberts GB Mitsubishi
Time barred
J Harvey GB Peugeot
Trackrod
E Houston GB Mitsubishi
Electrical
S Thomas GB Peugeot
Did not complete
D Hull GB
Vauxhall Lost wheel
T Takasaki Jpn Nissan
Did not complete
Y Sano Jpn
Rover Did not complete
N Collins GB Ford
Did not complete
T Godwin GB Rover
Stopped in stage
M Harris GB Ford
Time barred
V Wetton GB Mitsubishi
Did not complete
P Tsjoen Bel Mitsubishi
Did not complete
G Jones GB
Subaru Blown turbo
M Brown GB
SEAT Lost wheel
D Higgins GB Subaru
Sheared studs
M Evans GB
Skoda Head gasket
T Laukkanen Fin Renault
Did not complete
A Schwarz Ger Skoda
Lost wheel
M Gronholm Fin Peugeot
Rolled
M Liska Cze Mitsubishi
Wheel off
C Rimmer GB Peugeot
Accident
P Young GB
Ford Did not complete
K McKinstry GB Subaru
Did not complete
N McShea GB Citroen
Did not complete
S Clark GB
Peugeot Did not complete
J Skar Nor
Nissan Did not complete
T Ferris GB Peugeot
Did not complete
C Sainz Sp
Toyota Did not complete
26.11.99
RALLYING:- FIA president Max Mosley visited the Ford Martini world rally
team's new £10m headquarters at Dovenby Hall in Cumbria. He was taken
for a high-speed ride by Colin McRae and also tried his hand at driving
the Ford Focus. "Undoubtedly this was one of the best days of my year,"
he said.
F3000:- Tomas Scheckter upstaged a number of Formula 3000 regulars during
a two-day test session in Barcelona. His time of one minute, 32.541 seconds
was just a second-and-a-half off the fastest driver. Afterwards the 19-year-old,
who walked away with this year's EFDA Euroseries title, was offered a drive
by several leading teams for 2000. He will now consider his options and
said: "It has given me something to think about for next year."
29.11.99 - F1
West McLaren Mercedes have signed up Frenchman Olivier Panis as their third Formula One driver. Panis, who has just left Prost, begins his testing commitments with the team at Jerez this Thursday, December 2. Managing director Martin Whitmarsh said: "We need a third driver due to our intensive test schedule. We're sure his contribution will be significant." Panis said: "This is an exciting challenge for me and I look forward to helping develop the team's new F1 car."
Hungarian Grand Prix officials have signed a new contract with Formula
One boss Bernie Ecclestone, securing the future of the race until 2006.
The deal specified a major overhaul of the Hungaroring track in three or
four years, news agency MTI reported. Hungary hosted its first Formula
One race in 1986. The intervening years since that time have seen the Hungarian
Grand Prix quickly grow into one of the country's major tourist attractions.