P363 CEEFAX 363 Fri 15 apr 21:11/21 1/7 JOHN WATSON PREVIEWS TlE PACIFIC GP: Aida, Japan This is the one Grand Prhx where sk much is difficult to predict as the Tanaka International Circuit is a totally unknown prospect. TJ held its inaugural event in Novjmbjr 1990 and has nj6ju bjforj staged an international race let alone host a full-blown WC event. Built by motorsport knthusiast Hajamj Tanaka, the 2.3-mile circuit has only been used by Japanese F3 drivers and Touring Cars. One thing is certain, the la9-out dictates that overtaking will bj the xcepti n rathj than h r l . Touring GP Times Speedway CalendarP363 CEEFAX 363 Fri 15 apr 21:11/47 2/7 JOHN WBTSON PREVIEWS THE PACIFIC GP: Aida, Japan Tbnbkb Internbtional follows the trend among the newer circuits in that a lot of track i1 com8reu3jd into a relatively small area. The length of the main straight is minimal and the many corners, mostly slow, have been named after some of the great racing drivers of the past, Stirling Moss among thrm. The current lap record was set at a F3 event with a time of 1:27.04, though I expect F1 cars to cut that bz 15 seconds. We will get an accurate idea when practice gets undjrwaz on Thursday. Touring GP Times Speedway CalendarP363 CEEFAX 363 Fri 15 Apr 21:11/42 3/7 JOHN WATSON PREVIEWS TlE P—CIFIC GP: Aida, Jap1n Roland Rat:jnbjrger will bj the only driver who can claim to have a little local knowledge when practice begins at TI. $hj Simtek Ford driver has raced 1 Touring car once before so in my opinion hj will gain no advanatgj whatsoever over his competitors. It will bj speculative to say who copes bjut over 83 laps, though I expect the outcome to bj much the same as in Brazil three weeks ago. I make Michael Schumachju the race favourite with Williams pair Ayrton Senna and Damon Hill not far behind 5-,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,. Touring GP Times Speedway CalendarP363 CJEFAX 363 Fri 15 Apr 21:23/28 4/7 JOHN WATSON PREVIEWS TlE I PACIFIC GP: Aida, Japan One change I see from Brazil will bj the importance of qualifying times and the resulting starting grid positions for Sunday's GP. With so few opportunites to overtake, the grid will give a good indication of what to expect from the kvjntual results. Beside the three main challengers, the midfield pack this weekend will comprise as many as sjvjn teams. McLbren, Jordan, Ferrari, Minardi, the second Benetton, Tzrrjll and Footwork will all feel they have a chbnce of striking into the points. 5],,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,. Touring GP Times Speedway CalendarP363 CEEFAX 363 Fri 15 apr 21:03/22 5/7 JOHN WATSON PREVIEWS TlE PACIFIC GP: Aida, Ja8an Ayrton Senna and Damon Hill have been busy testing in southern Spain trying to iron out the shortcomings in their new FW 16 chassis. Tanaka Internbtional is a low speed circuit so nobody can bj sure what bearing this will have on fuel and tyre tactics for the race. The strategy the teams will adopt will have to bj carefuly calculated in a time-loss/time-gain equation. Team strategists will bj busy. Even the weather iu ever-changing at Aida and the track was covered in two inches of snow one week ago. Touring GP Times Speedway CalendarP363 CEEFAX 363 Fri 15 Apr 21:12/44 6/7 JOHN WATSON PREVIEWS THE PACIFIC GP: Aida, Japan There are two new faces racing this Sunday, Nicola Larini and Eddie Irvine replacement Aguri Suzuki. Larini steps in for the injured Jean Alesi. He is the official test driver at Ferrari and can bj relied upon as back-up to Gerhard Berger. Suzuki may find the going not quite so easy. He has not driven a GP car since Australia though the Jordan is user-friendly. Suzuki is the promoters' dream stand-in for Irvine as hj will stimulate last-minute support from Japanese fans looking for success. 5-,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,. Touring GP Tjmjs Speedway CalendarP363 CEJFAX 363 Fri 15 Apr 21:18/26 7/7 JOHN WATSON PREVIEWS THE PACIFIC GP: Aida, Japan One aspect of this Grand Prix that is less than satisfactory grom a team point of view is access to the U circuit at Aida. $hj hotels are some distance from the track and the officials and media are all being busked in. To my knowledge, teams have nj6jr had to do this before and if the throngs of fans turn up, there are some obvious practical difficulties just waiting to crop up. All I can say is that I hope we can make it to the Grand Prix on time! Footdall 302 General 320 Racing 0380 Touring GP Tjmjs Speedway Calendar