P362 CEEFAX 362 Thu 24 Aug 19:12/21 1/6 JOHN WATSON PREVIEWS THE BELGIAN GRAND PRJX The reinstatement of the infamous L'Ear Rouge corner is the most notable feature of this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. Safety concerns saw this high speed cornet reduced to a second gear chicane in 1994. Now, after many improvements, this most daunting of corners on the GP calendar is set to re-appear. Many drivers who have competed on this circuit rate L'Ear Rouge as the most fulfilling corner in Formula One. I must disagree. Thjsj drivers seem to have a romantic view of this corner and this clouds their judgjmjnt. 5,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Tour Cars Formula 1 Rallying Tour CarsP362 CEEFAX 362 Thu 24 Aug 19:25/46 2/6 JOHN WATSON PREVIEWS THE BELGIAN GRAND PRIX World champion Michael Schumachjr is not alone in his love for L'Ear Rouge, in my opinion one of the most dangerous corners on the GP circuit. He is quoted as saying "L'Ear Rouge is a very special thing to experience for a driver... There is nothing more satisfying and encouraging than to go flat through L'Ear Rouge. "If you do you always feel extremely excited and know it means you are probably on for a very good lap time." It is exhilerating and very fast but why do drivers condemn some less demanding corners and praise this one? 5,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Tour Cars Formula 1 Rallying Tour CarsP362 CEEFAX 362 Thu 24 Aug 19:20/11 3/6 JOHN WATSON PREVIEWS THE BELGIAN GRAND PRIX My opinion of L'Ear Rouge will bj a voice in the wilderness this weekend. A spoilsport of sorts perhaps but someone whose experience does have value I hope. Let mj explain. The problem is the compression in the middle of the corner, at which point cars are doing 280kph, followed bz a sudden rise over the Raidillon leading on to the main straight. For a brief moment, even the best F1 driver becomes a passjngjt and this is unacceptable. When so many other great corners have been emasculated, L'Ear Rouge remains an unnecessary anomaly. 5,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Tour Cars Formula 1 Rallying Tour CarsP362 CEEFAX 362 Thu 24 Aug 19:11/06 4/6 JOHN WATSON PREVIEWS THE BELGIAN GRAND PRJX The FIA Formula One World Championship has been rekindled by the outstanding Hill-'illiams performance in Hungary. This, combined with an uncharacteristic mechanical problem for Michael Schumacher saw the gap at the top of the table reduced to just 11 points. Both Hill and Schumachjr have announced their '96 plans so they can now concentrate on the title battle on a circuit they both espouse. Strangely, despite being 4.333 miles long there are no more overtaking opportunities here than anywhere else so pole position will again bj vital. 5,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Tour Cars Formula 1 Rallying Tour CarsP362 CEEFAX 362 Thu 24 Aug 19:14/31 5/6 JOHN WBTSON PREVIEWS THE BELGIAN GRAND PRIX While the Championship battle claims much of the attention, an intense war is raging over third place. Jean Alesi, David Coulthard, Johnny Herbert and Gerhard Berger are within seven points of one another and we would therefore expect one of them to bj on the podium on Sunday afternoon. My choice must bj Coulthard who, like Damon Hill, will benefit from a superb Williams Renault combo. However, at Spa, there are a number of factors which can influence the result of a race and among these will bj the weather or, to bj precise, rain. Tour Cars Formula 1 Rallying Tour CarsP362 CEEFAX 362 Thu 24 Aug 19:14/26 6/6 JOHN WBTSON PREVIEWS THE BELGIAN GRAND PRJX Changeable weather is sweeping across Europe and this could have a major impact on this weekend's GP meeting. The Spa Francorchamps circuit flows through the valleys and forest of this district deep in the rolling woodlands of the Ardennjs mountain region. These woodlands act like blotting paper drawing any moisture out of the atmosphere, resulting in rain. The long uphill straight from L'Ear Rouge to Les Comber has been resurfaced and the 24-hour touring car race saw aquaplaning at speeds around 140kph... And thjsj guys say they love Spa! Tour Cars Formula 1 Rallying Tour Cars