NOVEMBER 27, 2000

Alesi unhurt after rallying crash

PROST GRAND PRIX driver Jean Alesi escaped unhurt from a high-speed crash as he took part in the Rally of Monza at the weekend.

Alesi, the most experienced man on the current Formula One grid with 184 Grands Prix to his name, crashed during the event's third special stage at the Monza circuit.

The Frenchman crashed into an outside guard rail while he was negotiating the banked south curve of the circuit at 185 kilometers per hour.

Alesi's Subaru Impreza WRC took off for a few meters before spinning in mid-air and then landing in a ditch.

"Pity about my crash," said Alesi. "Because I had found the right feeling with the car and was hoping to get a good result."

Meanwhile, Alesi's fellow-competitor, 500cc Grand Prix rider Valentino Rossi, did not take part in the second day of the rally after failing to wake up on time.