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Bourdais Takes The 'Ring
"Once more it was a great success, three wins out of six, five poles out of six! I just hope it continues like that," said Bourdais. "All the team are really happy with the work that we do together and now I am leading the championship with a thirteen-point gap. My only wish is that it continues in this way."
The two series leaders occupied the front row of the grid with Enge lining up beside Bourdais. Third fastest was the first of the Sperafici, Ricardo, but alongside was the sensation, Vietnamese-Australian Rob Nguyen. In only his second year of racing he'd put his Astromega-run Lola-Zytek onto the second row of the grid at a Formula One venue.
There was action aplenty behind the fleeing Bourdais, as Enrico Toccacelo made a demon start to be up to third behind Tomas Enge (Arden International) on the first lap. Toccacelo pushed Enge hard, in fact too hard, for the pair clashed which saw Enge pit for a new wing and Toccacelo drop out of the points. This brought Ricardo Sperafico back to the front and immediately the young Brazilian started lapping quicker than Bourdais, but the lead was too great and Sperafico was never close enough to attempt a passing move.
The race then settled into a typically stagnant second half. The final points would be taken by Arden's Bjorn Wirdheim who drove from tenth having only passed one car, Derek Hill's Durango, at the start.
Bourdais now has a 13 point lead over Enge, still second despite his retirement with five drivers arrayed very closely behind lead by Pantano. It's two weeks to the series next stop at one of their showpiece events, Silverstone.
Result of International Formula 3000 Championship, Round 6, Nurburgring, Germany:
Standings: Sebastien Bourdais 34, Tomas Enge 21, Giorgio Pantano 17, Rodrigo Sperafico 16, Mario Haberfeld Patrick Friesacher and Antonio Pizzonia 13, Bjorn Wirdheim 9, Ricardo Sperafico 8, Ricardo Mauricio 7 etc.
Rudd's Revenge
Polesitter Tony Stewart eventually held on to the lead as he and Kurt Busch ran side-by-side through the first two turns. Just behind him Jeff Gordon moved up from fourth to third, and took second from Busch at the hairpin at the end of lap one, and repeated the move one lap later to take the lead from Stewart, pulling out a small lead. Further back his namesake Robby Gordon was also on his way up through the field, moving up from ninth to fourth in four laps. After around 10 laps points leader Sterling Marlin was forced to pit with overheating problems after losing a drive belt, his car being pushed behind the wall to be repaired. He returned to the track but retired soon after.
Leaders began to pit on lap 32, when second placed Stewart and Robby Gordon from fourth pitted. A lap later, Jeff Gordon entered pit lane but for the wrong reason: his differential had failed, requiring extensive work by his crew to repair, Kurt Busch taking over the lead until he pitted on lap 34, Mark Martin leading a lap before he pitted, handing the lead back to Tony Stewart. A caution followed soon after for oil on the track after two cars had major failures. Several teams took the opportunity to stop under the caution, including leader Stewart, so Busch became the new leader. The pit stops saw Stewart and Robby Gordon restart from 26th and 27th. At the 50 lap point they had moved up to 19th and 21st as they struggled to make their way through the field. Just a lap or two later Robby ran off the track going up the hill, dropping back to 25th.
As the laps wound down, most teams were hoping for a caution so they could pit to grab some more fuel, and Boris Said duly obliged on lap 85, crashing hard into the tyre wall. John Andretti had a slow pit stop, losing places, as most of the leaders pitted. However, Bill Elliott stayed out to become the new leader, while Jerry Nadeau who brought out the previous caution was now up to second place! Soon after the restart, Elliott ran wide, dropping to sixth as Nadeau took over the lead. Back in eight and ninth were Busch and Rudd who had made stops and were trying their hardest to get through the pack. Terry Labonte was having his best race in over a year as he ran in second place.
Twelve laps to go, and Nadeau led by five seconds, while Rudd remained on a charge, having just passed Elliott Sadler for fourth place. Nadeau was on old tyres and marginal fuel, while Rudd was on fresher tyres and no fuel worries. Ten to go and Rudd was third, passing Jeff Green. Eight to go and Rudd moved up into second, six and a half seconds behind leader Nadeau. Could Rudd catch him? The way he had carved through the field, it seemed pretty likely. But as the laps wound down, Rudd was only catching him at no more than half a second a lap. With six laps to go, Jimmie Johnson slowed and stopped as he suffered a broken differential just like his teammate Jeff Gordon.
After looking like winning, Jerry Nadeau finished in 34th, one place ahead of former teammate Jimmie Johnson, who finished two places ahead of teammate and 'boss', Jeff Gordon, whose early laps in the lead earned him the bonus points for leading the most laps. Meanwhile Sterling Marlin's troubles saw him finish last for his first DNF of the season.
Result of NASCAR Winston Cup, Round 16, Sears Point Raceway, California, United States:
Standings: Sterling Marlin 2198, Mark Martin 2136, Jeff Gordon 2116, Jimmie Johnson 2112, Tony Stewart 2110, Rusty Wallace 2054, Ricky Rudd 2050, Matt Kenseth 2020, Kurt Busch 2003, Bill Elliott 1972 etc.
Bayliss Again!
It was a familiar story at Misano as Troy Bayliss took another two race victories, and Colin Edwards finished second in both races. As Bayliss continues to push towards a second title, Edwards is sitting on his tail all the way, just hoping that Bayliss might crack and open the way for his own second title. Bayliss's two wins take his total tally for the year to thirteen wins from sixteen starts, a stupendous achievement.
At the start of race one, there was mild panic as polesitter Troy Bayliss was forced to swap bikes as they headed off on the warm-up lap. It didn't seem to affect him at the start as he made a tremendous start, leading into turn one ahead of Colin Edwards, Neil Hodgson, Ben Bostrom and Ruben Xaus. At the end of the back straight Edwards sneaked down the inside to take the lead from Bayliss, while further back Noriyuki Haga was up to sixth. As they began lap three Bayliss moved close to Edwards, though he was unable to pass. Meanwhile lap three saw Xaus move ahead of Bostrom. Unfortunately, this was soon followed by Xaus down in the gravel and out, as the top three of Edwards, Bayliss and Hodgson broke away from the chasing pack. In the Xaus melee Haga moved ahead of Bostrom to take fourth place.
The top three soon became a top two as Hodgson dropped off the leading pack, as Edwards managed to keep Bayliss at bay. Bayliss kept looking at the end of the back straight but didn't seem to be making a serious attempt at a pass. Maybe this was so when he made the move for good on lap ten, Edwards would not be expecting Bayliss to continue through and take the lead, Bayliss slowly edging away from Edwards as the laps wound down. Further back James Toseland had his hands full keeping Chris Walker behind him while Pierfrancesco Chili was having a good day at home, running in sixth place. Bayliss continued to edge away to take the win by just under three seconds from Edwards, well clear of Hodgson in third and Haga in fourth. Meanwhile, after holding off Walker for lap after lap, Toseland had a moment halfway through the last lap and lost seventh position to his race-long combatant.
The start of race two saw Hodgson lead into turn one, ahead of the duelling Edwards and Bayliss, with Bostrom, Xaus and Haga in close pursuit. As the leading pack ran together, Edwards passed Hodgson for the lead at the lightly banked hairpin on lap two. Less than a lap later at the end of the back straight Hodgson took the lead back, Haga further back moving up to fifth. Lap five and Edwards repeated Hodgson's move of two laps previous, taking back the lead as Bayliss remained the only rider who could stay with him, as Haga fought with Bostrom for fourth place.
Into turn one on lap seven and Bayliss squeezed past Hodgson for second, as almost simultaneously Bayliss's teammate Ruben Xaus saw his bike being extracted from the gravel again. Haga continued his way through the field as he moved ahead of Bostrom. Up front Bayliss had joined Edwards as Hodgson began to fade away. At the end of the back straight on lap eight Bayliss made his way past Edwards, but ran maybe a bike width wide of the kerb. Edwards decided he could take the lead back if he went through that gap and squeezed through to take the lead back immediately.
On lap thirteen Haga made a stupendous pass at the chicane at the end of lap to take third place from Hodgson who had fallen further behind the leaders who continued to circulate closely together. Lap fifteen saw Bayliss take the lead again at the end of the back straight. Two laps later Edwards made the same move on Bayliss. Two corners later Edwards waved past Bayliss, while two corners after that Bayliss let Edwards through into the lead again. The wave past was apparently caused by Edwards being worried he may have passed under yellow flags, while Bayliss immediately conceding seeming to show that the pass was legal.
Lap eighteen and Bayliss took the lead again at the end of the back straight, Edwards trying to sneak up the inside on the exit of the corner but not finding enough room this time. This was the end of the battle, as Bayliss steadily edged away from Edwards. Chili continued to enjoy a battle with Gregorio Lavilla, having been in front of Lavilla earlier on, now Chili sat right on Lavilla's tail. Bayliss went on to take a comfortable win ahead of Edwards, Haga third and Hodgson fourth. Lavilla went on to take sixth just ahead of Chili, despite Chili making a pass down the back straight late in the race, as Lavilla immediately passed him back.
Result of World Superbike Championship, Round 8, Misano, Italy:
Standings: Troy Bayliss 360, Colin Edwards 311, Neil Hodgson 194, Noriyuki Haga 182, Ben Bostrom 165, Ruben Xaus 152, James Toseland 107, Chris Walker 97 etc.
Kerr and Van der Merwe Beat Courtney
The Jaguar Racing test driver took two more pole positions in practice, and two more points. Race one though saw another driver into turn one first. Richard Antinucci exploded of the grid to lead the field away, only to be called into the pits for a drive through penalty for jumping the start. Courtney didn't get to lead though as Kerr forced his way into second as the field settled over the opening lap. Courtney pressured Kerr for what became the lead but was unable to stick with Kerr. Promatecme's Bruce Jouanny took third over Fortec's Heikki Kovalainen and Carlin's Michael Keohane. Adam Carroll claimed eighth in his Scholarship Class car.
Sunday's race saw the status quo restored, albeit temporarily, when Courtney blasted away from the field. In a strange co-incidence from the previous day, Courtney was pinged for creeping on the grid and suffered a drive through penalty. There were other problems though as a melee erupted at the Essess with Kerr out on the spot and Kovalainen, Keohane and Fabio Carbone also involved.
Jouanny has moved past Kerr in the standings, but both are still some distance behind Courtney. The series next races again at their showpiece event, the British Grand Prix support race at Silverstone.
Result of British Formula 3 Championship, Rounds 13 & 14, Castle Combe, Great Britain:
Standings: James Courtney 130, Bruce Jouanny 105, Robbie Kerr 104, Michael Keohane 97, Mark Taylor 70, Heikki Kovalainen 55, Rob Austin and Alan van der Merwe 51, Ernani Judice 31, Ronnie Bremer 30 etc.
Albacete Bas
With a third and a win Bas Leinders justified the leap of faith he and the Keerbergs Transport Racing team took when they abandoned Formula 3000 in favour of Formula Nissan. In the first race Jean Christophe Ravier and Ricardo Zonta were too good for Leinders, but the longer second race belonged to the Belgian, leading home Zonta by nine seconds.
"Congratulations for my team because the victory is the result of a progressive improvement week over week," said Leinders. "Zonta has three victories and me just one, but I challenge him for Monza. I want to battle for the Championship."
In race one Ravier sprinted away from the field, which was held up by the slow starting polesitter Andre Couto. Former BAR driver Ricardo Zonta was quickly up to second, but was unable to make an impression on Ravier. The pace car was called for to retrieve the dead car of Nicolas Filiberti. Speculation that Zonta may have been able to reassert the form that has had him dominating this series was quickly dispelled as Ravier drove away from the field again. Zonta consolidated second while Leinders took the final podium spot from Justin Wilson, who had jumped his Racing Engineering teammate Franck Montagny at the restart.
The longer second race saw Leinders lead from the front and drive away, Ravier style. Ravier led the pursuit initially until pitting for his compulsory pitstop on lap 12. Ravier's stop was long though and the French Formula 3 graduate dropped to 16th. Zonta then came up to take second only to find that he could make little impression on this leader either. Leinders was able to pit without losing the lead. Couto rose to third after the pitstops as the field stagnated in the closing laps. Montagny was fourth ahead of Peter Sundberg and Angel Burgueno.
Zonta's two second places still increased his championship lead, as the series travels outside of Iberia for the first time this year to Monza in two weeks.
Result of Telefonica World Series, Round 3, Albacete, Spain:
Standings: Ricardo Zonta 108, Bas Leinders 79, Franck Montagny 70, Jean Christophe Ravier 41, Nicolas Filiberti 25, Justin Wilson 24, Peter Sundberg 21, Rafael Sarandeses, Ander Vilarino, Antonio Garcia, Narain Karthikeyan and Andre Couto 15 etc.
Muller's Irish Adventure
The sprint race was already going to be troubled when fourth qualifier Colin Turkington (MG ZS) was a no show because of food poisoning. Muller was quickest away and led teammate James Thompson in the early laps. Matt Neal made a great start but was boxed in by the slow away Paul O'Neill. Gareth Howell's MG was the leading non-Vauxhall in third ahead of David Leslie (Proton Impian) Neal and O'Neill.
Neal became the mover, taking Leslie and Howell to make a Vauxhall trifecta at the front. Thompson though was limping. The factory Astra was jumping out of gear on the straights, putting a lot of strain on the gearbox. Thompson let Neal go by because of this, but Muller was probably too far up the road. Until Muller's car stopped. Now unopposed, Neal motored on to take the win. Thompson limped in to second. Leslie claimed third after the sudden death of Howell's MG promoted the squabbling Leslie and O'Neill.
Result of British Touring Car Championship, Rounds 9 & 10, Mondello Park, Northern Ireland, Great Britain:
Standings: Matt Neal 101, James Thompson 100, Yvan Muller 81, Anthony Reid 64, Paul O'Neill 59, Warren Hughes 49, Andy Priaulx 45, David Leslie 39, Tim Harvey 35, Dan Eaves 27 etc.
"For us it will save us significant money," said Herdez boss Keith Wiggins. "It's no secret, but it's going to save us in excess of $3 million. So we're already well towards our second car."
The move effectively kills plans by MG and Judd who were working on a 3.5 litre naturally aspirated V8 in accordance with CART's previously announced 2003 regulations.
Perkins first came to attention in 1970, winning the Australian Formula Ford series. In 1975 he won the European Formula 3 Championship, making the feat much more impressive by doing almost all of his own mechanical work. He drove for Amon, Boro, Brabham and Surtees in Formula One, and was also the last driver to ever qualify a BRM Formula One car. After Formula One, he returned to Australia and engineered the benchmark Holden Dealer Team touring car team, winning Bathurst three times with them. Since 1986 he's run his own team, and won Bathurst three more times. Perkins currently runs Holden Commodores for himself, Russell Ingall and Steven Richards in the V8Supercar series, but Ingall is leaving the team at the end of the year. Fabian Coulthard, David's distant New Zealand-based cousin has been linked with the team.
Formula 3000
Sebastien Bourdais made the most of pole position and an excellent start to take a lights to flag victory in round six of the International Formula 3000 series at the Nurburgring ahead of Petrobras racers Ricardo Sperafico and Antonio Pizzonia. The controversial signing of Bourdais has proven itself for Super Nova with Bourdais the driver who has finally broken away from the field in the championship race.
Into third climbed Nguyen. Nguyen has had less than 20 races in his career and yet on his first visit to a familiar circuit was showing up drivers much more experienced. Behind Nguyen Pizzonia and Coloni's Giorgio Pantano battled. Pantano spun on lap 5, plummeting down the order. Pizzonia took third on lap 7 but spun three laps later. Nguyen's new threat was the recovering Toccacelo, but the Coloni steerer was a little ambitious attempting to pass the rookie and the pair clashed. Toccacelo was out on the spot and Nguyen rejoined behind Pizzonia and Patrick Friesacher. More than a few people took note of Nguyen's drive.
Pos Driver Team
1. Sebastien Bourdais Super Nova
2. Ricardo Sperafico Petrobras Junior
3. Antonio Pizzonia Petrobras Junior
4. Patrick Friesacher Red Bull Junior
5. Rob Nguyen Team Astromega
6. Bjorn Wirdheim Arden International
7. Derek Hill Durango Formula
8. Rodrigo Sperafico Durango Formula
9. Ricardo Mauricio Red Bull Junior
10. Nicolas Kiesa PSM Racing
NASCAR
Ricky Rudd showed that his reputation as a 'road warrior' is still deserved as he won at Sears Point, although he did benefit from some late race good fortune. That good fortune was Jerry Nadeau's bad fortune, as the driver who was recently dropped by Hendrick Motorsports came within two laps of winning. Several of the top runners including Sterling Marlin, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson finished poorly after mechanical woes blighted their days.
On lap 67 Jerry Nadeau spun off towards the end of the lap, falling out of the top ten, and bringing out the caution, despite resuming. Just before the caution came out, John Andretti entered pit lane for a scheduled stop, which turned out to be a real bonus as the rest of the field pitted a lap later, Andretti restarting second behind Todd Bodine. However Bodine spun off at the hairpin soon after the restart, Andretti becoming the new leader, as he was chased by Busch and Bill Elliott. Early leader Stewart had made it up to eighth by this point of the race.
Unfortunately with just over two laps remaining, the fairytale ended, as Nadeau's differential broke. This gave the lead to Ricky Rudd, who after falling from the lead late in the race twice recently was this time the beneficiary of someone else suffering similarly, Rudd holding on this time to take the win, Tony Stewart making it up to second, with Terry Labonte third ahead of Jeff Green who raced for the first time at the venue.
Pos Driver Car
1. Ricky Rudd Ford Taurus
2. Tony Stewart Pontiac Grand Prix
3. Terry Labonte Chevrolet Monte Carlo
4. Kurt Busch Ford Taurus
5. Jeff Green Chevrolet Monte Carlo
6. Elliott Sadler Ford Taurus
7. Mark Martin Ford Taurus
8. Bill Elliott Dodge Intrepid
9. Ryan Newman Ford Taurus
10. John Andretti Dodge Intrepid
Superbikes
Race One
Pos Rider Motorcycle
1. Troy Bayliss Ducati 998 F 02
2. Colin Edwards Honda VTR 1000 SP2
3. Neil Hodgson Ducati 998 F 01
4. Noriyuki Haga Aprilia RSV 1000
5. Ben Bostrom Ducati 998 F 02
6. Pierfrancesco Chili Ducati 998 RS
7. Chris Walker Kawasaki ZX-7RR
8. James Toseland Ducati 998 F 01
9. Lucio Pedercini Ducati 998 RS
10. Gregorio Lavilla Suzuki GSX-R750 Y
Race Two
Pos Rider Motorcycle
1. Troy Bayliss Ducati 998 F 02
2. Colin Edwards Honda VTR 1000 SP2
3. Noriyuki Haga Aprilia RSV 1000
4. Neil Hodgson Ducati 998 F 01
5. Ben Bostrom Ducati 998 F 02
6. Gregorio Lavilla Suzuki GSX-R750 Y
7. Pierfrancesco Chili Ducati 998 RS
8. Chris Walker Kawasaki ZX-7RR
9. Lucio Pedercini Ducati 998 RS
10. Marco Borciani Ducati 998 RS
Formula 3
James Courtney's rampant domination of the British Formula 3 season was interrupted when the best he could do at Castle Combe were second and 20th. Robbie Kerr (Alan Docking Racing) gave the crowd a local hero while Courtney's teammate Alan van der Merwe broke through for his debut Formula 3 victory.
In second initially was Jouanny until striking a cone on the second lap. That brought van der Merwe up into what became the lead after the South African had disposed of Kovalainen at the start. Keohane had shadowed van der Merwe but was unable to force him into a mistake and the two formed a not unexpected Carlin Motorsport 1-2, just with different drivers than expected. Jouanny survived the attentions of Taylor and Antinucci to take third.
Round Thirteen
Pos Driver Car
1. Robbie Kerr Dallara F302 Mugen-Honda
2. James Courtney Dallara F302 Mugen-Honda
3. Bruce Jouanny Dallara F302 Mugen-Honda
4. Heikki Kovalainen Dallara F302 Sodemo Renault
5. Michael Keohane Dallara F302 Mugen-Honda
6. Mark Taylor Dallara F302 Mugen-Honda
7. Alan van der Merwe Dallara F302 Mugen-Honda
8. Adam Carroll Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda
9. Rob Austin Dallara F302 Spiess Opel
10. Stephen Colbert Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda
Round Fourteen
Pos Driver Car
1. Alan van der Merwe Dallara F302 Mugen-Honda
2. Michael Keohane Dallara F302 Mugen-Honda
3. Bruce Jouanny Dallara F302 Mugen-Honda
4. Mark Taylor Dallara F302 Mugen-Honda
5. Richard Antinucci Dallara F302 Mugen-Honda
6. Adam Carroll Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda
7. Rob Austin Dallara F302 Spiess Opel
8. Ronnie Bremer Dallara F302 Mugen-Honda
9. Billy Asaro Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda
10. Clivio Piccione Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda
Formula Nissan
Race One
Pos Driver Team
1. Jean-Christophe Ravier Epsilon by Graff
2. Ricardo Zonta Gabord Competicion
3. Bas Leinders Keerbergs Transport Racing
4. Justin Wilson Racing Engineering
5. Franck Montagny Racing Engineering
6. Peter Sundberg Tata RC Motorsport
7. Luciano Gomide Keerbergs Transport Racing
8. Victor Ordonez Repsol Meycom
9. Tuka Rocha Gabord Competicion
10. Angel Burgueno Repsol Meycom
Race Two
Pos Driver Team
1. Bas Leinders Keerbergs Transport Racing
2. Ricardo Zonta Gabord Competicion
3. Andre Couto Vergani Racing
4. Franck Montagny Racing Engineering
5. Peter Sundberg Tata RC Motorsport
6. Angel Burgueno Repsol Meycom
7. Tuka Rocha Gabord Competicion
8. Nicolas Filiberti Zele Motorsport
9. Justin Wilson Racing Engineering
10. Roberto Gonzalez GD Racing
BTCC
Yvan Muller was the car to beat in Ireland, he was fast, no question, but a gearbox problem in race one prevented a perfect weekend. Meanwhile teammate James Thompson lost his series lead to privateer Vauxhall runner, Matt Neal.
Rain fell on the feature race grid and Thompson, Neal and Howell dived for the pits to change tyres on the warm up lap. With Turkington still absent, the front row of the grid was actually the third row. New pole sitter Anthony Reid started well, but the fast starting Muller was soon battling for the lead. Muller got an advantage after the compulsory pit stop when Reid's stop was long. Thompson scythed through the field to be second at the finish. Neal gave the General a trifecta winning the battle with Anthony Reid and Andy Priaulx.
Round Nine
Pos Driver Car
1. Matt Neal Vauxhall Astra
2. James Thompson Vauxhall Astra
3. David Leslie Proton Impian
4. Paul O'Neill Vauxhall Astra
5. Anthony Reid MG ZS
6. Andy Priaulx Honda Civic Type-R
7. Tim Harvey Peugeot 406
8. Phil Bennett Proton Impian
9. Tom Chilton Vauxhall Astra
10. Warren Hughes MG ZS
Round Ten
Pos Driver Car
1. Yvan Muller Vauxhall Astra
2. James Thompson Vauxhall Astra
3. Matt Neal Vauxhall Astra
4. Anthony Reid MG ZS
5. Paul O'Neill Vauxhall Astra
6. Alan Morrison Honda Civic Type-R
7. Warren Hughes MG ZS
8. Aaron Slight Vauxhall Astra
9. Phil Bennett Proton Impian
10. Gareth Howell MG ZS
Briefs
Six time Bathurst 1000 winner Larry Perkins has announced his retirement. An icon of Australian racing, Perkins, 52, will step down from full time racing at the end of this season to concentrate on running the Castrol-backed Perkins Engineering V8Supercar team full time.
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Volume 8, Issue 26
Articles
2002 Rookie Review
Ann Bradshaw: View from the Paddock
Jo Ramirez: a Racing Man
European GP Review
European GP Review
European GP - Technical Review
The Rope, the Tree & the Prancing Horse
Audi: Out of it?
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