APRIL 28, 1997

Power Horse in trouble?

POWER HORSE, one of the major sponsors of the Arrows F1 team, is rumored to be in financial difficulties following problems with the Promotor-Yamaha 500cc motorcycling team which Power Horse owner Alfred Inziger controls. There were reports just before Imola that the company was in trouble and had not made scheduled payments to Yamaha and riders Luca Cadalora and Troy Corser. The bike team is in the process of being taken over by American Bob McLean, who currently runs the privateer World Championship Motorsports team for Australian rider Kirk McCarthy.

There were suggestions in the paddock at Imola that Power Horse has also had trouble meeting its financial commitments in F1 although the Arrows team refused to comment on the stories. The loss of Power Horse money would be a blow to TomÊWalkinshaw but he has substantial backing from Danka and Parmalat and with World Champion Damon Hill, Bridgestone tires, engineer John Barnard expected to join next year and the possibility for Mugen Honda engines in 1998, finding a replacement backer may not be that difficult.