JUNE 3, 1996

Tom's V10 accelerating?

WITH his hopes of landing a Honda factory engine deal in 1998 looking less than certain, Tom Walkinshaw is believed to be considering accelerating the development of his own V10 engine, which has already been designed by former Cosworth engine wizard Geoff Goddard at TWR's Leafield base.

It is unlikely that Walkinshaw will risk running the engines - which are likely to be badged Volvos if the program goes ahead - until they are properly tested. If parts have not yet been made to build the engine, there is no way that an engine could be running before the late autumn at the very least and it would be some weeks after that before track-testing could begin.

It may be, therefore, that if Tom does not get the Honda supply that he will stay with Brian Hart for one more season before launching the TWR Volvo F1 engine in 1998, after the engines have undergone considerable testing.