Updates from the Rest of the Racing World
Atlas F1 Magazine Writers
Advice: The points tables for most series covered by Elsewhere In Racing are available here. Individual series are linked to their corresponding points table after each report.
Superb Sebastien
Leg one saw the Citroen duo of Sebastien Loeb and Carlos Sainz open a gap on the rest of the field, with Francois Duval and Petter Solberg the only other drivers even remotely close to them, and even they were around a minute behind Loeb! Last rally winner Marcus Gronholm was already out, having crashed at the first major bend on the first stage as the slippery roads caught him out.
Leg two saw Loeb maintain his lead, while second place changed on the last stage of the day as Duval's pressure on Sainz paid off when the Spaniard spun, handing second to Duval. Earlier in the day the other challenger for the podium, Petter Solberg, exited the rally in spectacular style when he ran wide and clipped a concrete block, rolling his Subaru and reducing it to scrap.
The final leg was basically a case of bringing it home, Loeb easing off and taking a comfortable win ahead of Duval with Sainz third. Fourth was Duval's teammate Markko Martin, while the rest of the top six was filled by two factory Peugeots, those of Cedric Robert and Freddy Loix.
Citroen had a near perfect result, the duo of Sebastien Loeb and Carlos Sainz finishing first and third, Loeb continuing a streak on this rally which is virtually his own. Next best were Ford, with Francois Duval outdriving his higher scoring teammate Markko Martin as they demonstrate they are the only manufacturer capable of challenging Citroen for the makes title.
Subaru's rally was somewhat of a disaster, with Solberg crashing out on Leg Two while reasonably well placed and Mikko Hirvonen just scraping into a point after passing road racer Stephane Sarrazin late on the last day. Still, this was better than Mitsubishi, who in their last rally for the season saw Daniel Sola crash on Leg One and Gilles Panizzi crash on Leg Two, both running competitively at the time of their incidents.
Result of World Rally Championship, Round 10 of 16, Rallye Deutschland, Germany:
Standings: Sebastien Loeb 76, Markko Martin 47, Carlos Sainz 46, Petter Solberg 44, Marcus Gronholm 42, Francois Duval 39, Mikko Hirvonen 19, Janne Tuohino 16, Harri Rovanpera 14, Freddy Loix 7 etc.
Manufacturers: Citroen 125, Ford 96, Subaru 67, Peugeot 65, Mitsubishi 17
Gibernau Beats Rossi In Czech GP Revenge
By Martin Dokoupil
Although Gibernau snatched back the lead on the next turn, he had to produce a series of overtaking manoeuvres before he finally powered away from the 25-year-old Rossi.
"That was a very, very hard victory. I had a good start and wanted to lead the race to control the pace," Gibernau said. "Then Valentino went by but I saw him sliding so I passed him to pull away."
Catalan Gibernau crossed the finishing line in 44 minutes 3.480 seconds, avenging his final lap loss to Rossi in last year's Czech GP. The defending champion had to settle for second place three and a half seconds behind, but retained his lead in the championship standings with 184 points, 17 points ahead of the Spaniard.
"I tried to follow Sete (Gibernau) to see where was the point to overtake. But it wasn't possible," Rossi said.
Rossi, who secured the front row start in a last lap charge in a rain-drenched final qualifying session on Saturday, said he would now focus on the final six races in a bid to claim a fourth consecutive championship victory. The Italian, who switched to Yamaha for 2004 after three seasons with Honda, has five wins in 10 races this year.
Another MotoGP title challenger, Italy's Max Biaggi, finished third less than a second behind his arch-rival Rossi after Brazilian Alex Barros crashed out of the leading group on the 15th lap.
The Honda-riding Roman, who loves the 5.4 km Masaryk circuit, stormed into the third place right after the start from the third row after a disappointing performance in the qualifying sessions. Biaggi, who has little love for the flamboyant Rossi, slipped to third overall with 158 points.
Biaggi's teammate, Japan's Makoto Tamada came home fourth at the dry track more than 16 seconds behind the winner. Honda-riding Barros, who fought hard with Rossi and Biaggi before slipping into the gravel, set a new race lap record of 1:59.302, beating last year's best time of 1:59.966 set by 2003 winner Rossi.
Result of World Motorcycle Championship, Round 10 of 16, Brno, Czech Republic:
Standings: Valentino Rossi 184, Sete Gibernau 167, Max Biaggi 158, Colin Edwards 104, Alex Barros 86, Nicky Hayden 83, Carlos Checa 82, Loris Capirossi 75, Makoto Tamada 69, Marco Melandri 64 etc.
Roberts Injured, Withdraws From Czech GP
American Kurtis Roberts was ruled out of last Sunday's Czech MotoGP Grand Prix following elbow and wrist injuries suffered in a crash in final qualifying on Saturday.
The 25 year old Proton rider, who had qualified 14th fastest for the race, crashed after having problems with the rear tire grip in a rain-affected second qualifying session.
"Kurtis looked pretty sore and we had him checked out. He has a couple of small fractures, so he won't be fit to race," said Proton team manager Chuck Aksland. Roberts is 24th in the world championship standings.
Byrne Misses Czech GP After Crash
Britain's Shane Byrne missed Sunday's Czech MotoGP Grand Prix after crashing out in morning free practice on Saturday.
"He has got left wrist dislocation and has been taken to hospital for further medical checks," said Aprilia press officer Luca Bologna. "He is not going to race for sure tomorrow."
The circuit's medical officials said Byrne has also suffered light concussion and a right leg injury, but added he was conscious. Bologna said Byrne would also skip the next race in Estoril and possibly Japan's Grand Prix in Motegi next month. Byrne, who entered the MotoGP class this year, lies 19th in the world championship standings.
United States On Track To Host MotoGP In 2005
MotoGP is set to return to the United States next year after a preliminary agreement was secured with promoters Dorna on Friday.
Dorna said it had reached an agreement in principal with the Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula to reintroduce its Laguna Seca circuit into the MotoGP calendar for the next five years.
"Following the initial agreement, Dorna will include the U.S. Grand Prix in the 2005 MotoGP pre-calendar to be presented to the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) for its approval," Dorna said.
The circuit, which will need to be improved in order to meet FIM regulations, hosted the 500cc (now MotoGP) world championship from 1988 to 1994. The 500cc class was changed to MotoGP for the start of the 2002 season to allow four-stroke bikes up to 990cc to compete.
Reports provided by Reuters
Brilliant Biffle
Greg Biffle hasn't had the best of seasons but at Michigan he was dominant, leading the most laps on the way to his first victory of the season and his second in the top class. Elsewhere the points lead changed as Jimmie Johnson had his third successive engine failure and finished 40th, handing the points lead to his teammate Jeff Gordon, who now sits 68 points ahead of him after a seventh place finish. Gordon is now mathematically assured of a 'place in the chase', the only driver at this point to be confirmed.
Another rain-out in qualifying meant the field was set by owners' points, and so Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon sat on the front row. At the start Gordon took the lead but the first caution of the day was not far away, out on lap four after Kasey Kahne spun while battling side by side with Kevin Harvick. Most of the front runners stayed out as those towards the rear pitted, though top five runner Dale Earnhardt Jr pitted, having just made light contact with Johnson just before the caution.
Back to green on lap seven, Gordon pulling away at the front as Greg Biffle worked his way up from his 24th starting position to second after 23 laps, while Ryan Newman lost a lap as overheating forced him to pit. The next caution came out soon after on lap 30 when Hermie Sadler's car trailed smoke, the field pitting. At the restart on lap 35 Gordon led Kurt Busch, Biffle, Elliott Sadler and Tony Stewart, Busch taking the lead from Gordon on lap 40 before Biffle took the lead from Busch three laps later, just before the caution on lap 46 for debris on the track, Newman getting the 'lucky dog' pass back on to the lead lap.
Green once more on lap 61, Martin leading teammates Biffle and Busch, Busch soon moving to second as Biffle dropped a few places before a spin by Carl Long in turn two brought out the next caution on lap 72. In came almost the whole field for pit stops, except for Jimmy Spencer, who took over the lead, while Jeff Burton came in but missed his pit and so was first out of the pits. Of those that did stop, Scott Riggs was fastest (taking two tyres) and now up to third ahead of Rusty Wallace and Busch.
Racing resumed on lap 75, Riggs taking the lead a lap later as Spencer quickly fell down the order. Lap 82 saw Riggs passed by Martin and McMurray, just as elsewhere Jimmie Johnson running in the top five suffered his third engine failure in three weeks. McMurray took the lead from Martin a lap later, Martin retaking it from McMurray on lap 86 as Biffle moved his way back into the top five. The next caution came out on lap 92 when Scott Wimmer spun coming off turn two. In came the field for more stops, Gaughan, Jeremy Mayfield and Sadler taking just two tyres to lead the field ahead of Biffle and Martin.
Ryan Newman's charge up the order was halted when he was forced to made another unscheduled pit stop for his overheating engine, going a lap down again. On the other hand, Busch was in the top ten having taken the last restart 33rd! Elliott Sadler brought out the next caution on lap 130 when his left front tyre blew. In came the field for pit stops, Biffle, Gordon, Jarrett, Kahne and Busch first out while a problem in the pits for Martin dropped him from the lead to 28th. Meanwhile Ryan Newman was again the 'lucky dog' and got back on to the lead lap.
Back to green on lap 136, the leading pack dicing, Kahne taking the lead on lap 139 as Gordon drifted down a couple of places. Biffle hung with Kahne at the front, retaking the lead on lap 144, and then checked out. Also on a tear was Mark Martin, who was inside the top ten by lap 155. As the fuel stops began with around 30 laps remaining he was in the top five. When he pitted he took two tyres and emerged just behind Biffle. He held onto second to the finish but Biffle was too strong, taking the win, with Jarrett third, McMurray fourth and Kahne fifth.
Result of NASCAR Nextel Cup, Round 23 of 36, Michigan International Speedway, United States:
Standings: Jeff Gordon 3254, Jimmie Johnson 3186, Dale Earnhardt Jr 3115, Tony Stewart 3089, Matt Kenseth 3018, Kurt Busch 2909, Elliott Sadler 2864, Kevin Harvick 2832, Bobby Labonte 2799, Kasey Kahne 2792 etc.
Rally
There have been three Rallye Deutschlands, but only one winner - Sebastien Loeb. Loeb's domination of the German event has pushed his lead over his nearest title rival out to 29 points with six rounds remaining. The bad news for his rivals are that there are another four tarmac events still to come...
Peugeot had mixed success with their drivers, Marcus Gronholm almost out before the rally began, Freddy Loix returning off after a long lay off and scoring points but he was beaten by Cedric Robert in his first rally for the factory team who finished fifth and earned the only manufacturers' points for the team as Loix was not nominated.
Pos Driver/Co-driver Car
1. Sebastien Loeb/Daniel Elena Citroen Xsara WRC
2. Francois Duval/Ste Prevot Ford Focus RS WRC 04
3. Carlos Sainz/Marc Marti Citroen Xsara WRC
4. Markko Martin/Michael Park Ford Focus RS WRC 04
5. Cedric Robert/Gerald Bedon Peugeot 307 WRC
6. Freddy Loix/Sven Smeets Peugeot 307 WRC
7. Toni Gardemeister/Paavo Lukander Skoda Fabia WRC
8. Mikko Hirvonen/Jarmo Lehtinen Subaru Impreza WRC 2004
9. Stephane Sarrazin/Patrick Pivato Subaru Impreza WRC
10. Alex Bengue/Caroline Escudero Peugeot 206 WRC
MotoGP
Spaniard Sete Gibernau cruised to his third win of the season in the Czech MotoGP Grand Prix on Sunday, holding off a tough challenge from championship leader Valentino Rossi. Starting on pole, Honda rider Gibernau maintained the lead until the 17th lap, when Italian Rossi stormed in front at a left hand corner.
"I made a brilliant start. But we have never improved a problem with braking... so I was not in shape for a win but tried to finish in the top four," said Biaggi.
Pos Rider Motorcycle
1. Sete Gibernau Honda RC211V
2. Valentino Rossi Yamaha M1
3. Max Biaggi Honda RC211V
4. Makoto Tamada Honda RC211V
5. Loris Capirossi Ducati Desmosedici
6. Carlos Checa Yamaha M1
7. Colin Edwards Honda RC211V
8. Norick Abe Yamaha M1
9. Marco Melandri Yamaha M1
10. Kenny Roberts Suzuki GSV-R
The 27 year old Aprilia rider, who clocked the 14th fastest time in the first qualifying session on Friday, crashed after his bike high-sided and flipped into the air as he attempted a left-hand turn.
NASCAR
The next four of Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth are fairly assured of their places. It is the next five of Kurt Busch, Elliott Sadler, Kevin Harvick, Bobby Labonte and Kasey Kahne that are currently in the chase but are right on the edge, with Jeremy Mayfield, Mark Martin, Ryan Newman, Dale Jarrett and Jamie McMurray between six and 70 points behind tenth placed Kahne. Another nine drivers remain mathematically in the chase but would need a miracle to make it. In driver news Jeff Burton has moved into the #30 Richard Childress Racing car for the rest of this year and next, finishing twelfth, while his rookie replacement at Roush, Carl Edwards, had a stunning debut and finished tenth!
More pit stops, with several drivers taking two tyres, Scott Wimmer leading as he stayed out to lead Biffle, Mark Martin, Jamie McMurray and Brendan Gaughan as it went back to green on lap 50, Wimmer losing several places as Martin and Biffle battled for the lead. Biffle grabbed the lead just before the caution came out on lap 52 for oil from Derrike Cope's car. Racing again on lap 55, Martin taking the lead from Biffle a lap later but it was caution time again on lap 58 for debris (again).
Back to green on lap 95, Sadler taking the lead before the lap was over, Biffle and Martin moving up to second and third just before Kurt Busch spun coming off turn two to bring out the caution on lap 99. Racing resumed on lap 102 of 200, Sadler leading Biffle, Martin, Gaughan and Wallace, Biffle taking the lead just two laps later and Martin took second the lap after as Sadler drifted slowly down the top ten. Lap 109 and Rusty Wallace's engine gave up, as Martin took the lead from Biffle. Meanwhile early race spinner Kasey Kahne was running in the top five.
Pos Driver Car
1. Greg Biffle Ford Taurus
2. Mark Martin Ford Taurus
3. Dale Jarrett Ford Taurus
4. Jamie McMurray Dodge Intrepid
5. Kasey Kahne Dodge Intrepid
6. Kurt Busch Ford Taurus
7. Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Monte Carlo
8. Matt Kenseth Ford Taurus
9. Tony Stewart Chevrolet Monte Carlo
10. Carl Edwards Ford Taurus
Upcoming Events Calendar
 |
Contact the Author Contact the Editor |
Please Contact Us for permission to republish this or any other material from Atlas F1.
 Email to Friend
Volume 10, Issue 34
Articles
The Long Road
For The Record
Every Other Sunday
2004 Belgian GP Preview
2004 Belgian GP Preview
Belgian GP Facts & Stats
The F1 Trivia Quiz
Columns
On the Road
Elsewhere in Racing
The Weekly Grapevine
> Homepage |
