2002

The Rallye Catalunya is the second outing for the GSE-built MG ZR rally car of Gwyndaf Evans and Chris Patterson. The event started this morning in a hot and sunny Spain, and immediately hit problems as the first stage was cancelled due to the large numbers of spectators near the start.

Virtual Spectator today announced the launch of its internet-based software package set to transform the way World Rally Championship [WRC] fans view and interact with the World's most demanding and challenging motorsport.

Richard Nixon was president, Elton John's Bennie and the Jets was the number one song, CBS's All in the Family was the top-rated television show and Jeremy McGrath was being potty trained when the Houston Astrodome hosted the first indoor AMA Supercross race in March of 1974.

Renault's Formula One team endured another frustrating day of testing in Barcelona, as an unidentified problem restricted Jarno Trulli to less than ten laps.

David Meldrum and Bevan Compton are on their way back to Berwick - for one night only! The former Bandits riders will ride in the Karl Friar Memorial Trophy at Shielfield Park on Saturday (7pm) along with current champion Paul Bentley and Glasgow duo George Stancl and Mick Powell.

Adam Allott must be kicking himself for not winning the Steel City Championship at Sheffield last night. Five wins in qualifying by huge distances made him an apparent certainty to win the final. Instead he blew it to finish last.

All fixtures subject to change. Sunday 24 March: Sky Sports Elite League: Peterborough v Poole 3.30 Belle Vue v Wolverhampton 6.00 Premier Trophy: Newport v Swindon 2.30pm

This coming weekend, Marlboro Team Penske will continue to honour colleague Gary Buckner, who passed away on the Friday between the Homestead and Phoenix IRL rounds.

After its much-improved start to the season in Valencia, HM Plant Ducati/GSE Racing now embarks on the fly-away phase of the 2002 Superbike World Championship - first stop Australia.

Tomasz Kuchar and Maciej Szczepaniak, who escaped a horrific road accident Wednesday, will not be starting the Rally Catalunya for the Hyundai Castrol World Rally Team - upon medical advice.

Repsol Honda factory tam riders Valentino Rossi and Tohru Ukawa ended the two-day HRC Suzuka test session on a high note. Both men slashed over second off their best times of day one.

British bike racing fans will be doubly delighted by the announcement today [Thursday] that both ITV and BBC have committed to covering the British Superbike Championship.

British Motorsport Promoters have unveiled a sponsorship package with publishing giant EMAP Automotive designed to build upon the already popular British Superbike and support race programme.

Mike Nicholson, Vauxhall's Motorsport Operations Manager, spoke exclusively to Crash at this week's 2002 BTCC launch, the marque out to defend the titles they won last season with their dominant Astra Coupes.

BAR's Engineering Director, Malcolm Oastler and Chief Designer, Andy Green have been ousted from the Brackley based team in the first wave of changes brought about by new team principal, Dave Richards.

After the first two races were won in convincing fashion by Australian Ducati rider, Troy Bayliss, we now head to his home races at Phillip Island in Australia.

Leading into the fourth round of the 2002 FIA World Rally Championship Marcus Gronholm heads the drivers championship with 18 points, while Corsica winner Gilles Panizzi is in second place with 10points.

Troy Bayliss, after his wins at Valencia at the start to the World Superbike championship, is looking good as he heads to his home race at Philip Island.

The 2002 Motocross World Championship kicks off this weekend at the Valkenswaard circuit in the Netherlands, for the first of the twelve rounds that also includes several new races in Bulgaria, Czech Republic and Moscow.

Ex-Grand Prix rider Jack Findlay has decided to retire from his post as Grand Prix Technical Director for the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix, after 10 years in the post.

The injuries that Team Yamaha Axo Chesterfield rider Claudio Federici sustained to his right leg at the opening round of the Italian Championship on February 9th this year are healing well, yet take longer than initially expected.

Ford Rallye Sport has confirmed that Carlos Sainz will be partnered by Marc Marti for the fourth round of the FIA World Rally Championship, Spain's Catalunya Rally (21-24 March).

Hyundai Castrol World Rally Team's third pairing of Thomas Kuchar and Maciej Szczepaniak were taken to hospital after a Rally Catalunya recce accident.

Ryan Briscoe today [Wednesday] tested for the Panasonic Toyota Racing team at Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona. Briscoe carried out work on a new engine specification, as well as a newly-built chassis and general set up work for April's Spanish Grand Prix.