2003

Chronic and acute carbon monoxide poisoning has led to Winston Cup driver Rick Mast's early retirement from the sport, nine months after he was forced to leave his 2002 drive with Junie Donlavey Racing.

Former FIA Formula 3000 driver Alex Muller successfully passed the speed phase of his Indy Racing League IndyCar Series rookie test at Fontana yesterday driving for PDM Racing.

The Oxford Silver Machine have announced signing number three. Slovenian, Jernej Kolenko has followed Nicki Pedersen and Travis McGowan to Oxford and will line up in one of the reserve berths.

Andreas Jonsson has become the latest rider to agree terms with Coventry Bees - making it four down, three to go for boss Colin Pratt.

Indianapolis 500 winner Eddie Cheever Jr.

Current Winston Cup star Jeff Green and his racing brother Mark have orchestrated a blockbuster charity event to be held at the Wachovia Atrium in Charlotte on the evening of February 19, 2003.

The AMA has announced the U.S. Trophy Team chosen to compete in the 78th International Six Days Enduro (ISDE), scheduled for November 3 - 8, 2003, in Forteleza City, Brazil, as:

Reading Racers fans can look forward to an appetising start to their 2003 season, as they will open up against M4 rivals Newport Wasps and Swindon Robins, in the opening weeks of the new campaign.

Rejuvenated by an extended winter break, Marcus Gronholm will begin the defence of his FIA World Rally Championship driver's title on Rallye Monte Carlo tomorrow [Friday].

McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen regained top spot for the Woking team as testing at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo moved into its third day under clear and sunny skies.

Now that the worldwide Mitsubishi Ralliart business has been taken in-house by MMC in Japan and Mitsubishi Motors Europe, the only channels for the importation and sale of Ralliart models, parts and performance enhancing components is through official Mitsubishi Motors distributors.

The Lucky Strike BAR-Honda team completed its second test of 2003 with Jacques Villeneuve and Jenson running at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, building on the fact that it is the first team to field two brand new chassis and put them through their paces.

The World Rally Championship kicks off this weekend with the traditional opening round in Monte Carlo. Although all crews head to the Med with some idea that the weather will be playing tricks on them, here is the definitive guide to what lies in store.

Newport have completed the signing of talented young Dane Niels Kristian Iversen. The former King's Lynn rider will spend his first full season of British racing as third heat-leader for the Wasps.

David Norris has been confirmed as the final piece in Eastbourne's team-building jigsaw for the 2003 season. Norris, who celebrated a testimonial at Arlington last season, enjoyed a successful campaign which saw him win the supporters' rider of the year award.

Somerset have been rocked by the news that Mario Jirout will miss the start of the season after suffering back injuries in a car crash. Heis due to have surgery after the accident in the Czech Republic and early reports suggest he has full movement.

He might not be an 'official' HRC rider on the latest machinery, but Max Biaggi looks set to embarrass those that are - including his own team-mate - if he continues to ride at the level shown at Sepang this week.

Double World Superbike Champion Colin Edwards and his wife Alysia have announced the birth of their first child, a daughter, called Gracie Kayte Edwards. 7 pounds 5 ounce Gracie was born yesterday [January 22] at Conroe Hospital and is said to be fit and healthy.

The international Formula 3000 scene will be graced by a new name this season, after speculation the ISR Charouz team would graduate from the Euro series was proved correct.

BMW WilliamsF1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya set the pace today [Wednesday] during testing at Valencia, the Colombian was around three tenths up on McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen.

Mika Hakkinen successfully completed a three-day test in the forests around Rovaniemi in preparation for his first Arctic Rally, which starts this Friday in Finland.

Champagne flowed as the new MotoGP season started with a bang at a lively reception in the magnificent surroundings of Home House in Portman Square, London last week.

Renault F1 and Toyota continued testing today [Wednesday] at the Paul Ricard circuit, in the South of France.

The FIA Junior World Rally Championship kicks off in Monte Carlo this weekend with the first of seven rallies that will share the World Rally Championship calendar.