OCTOBER 6, 2001

Honda's Suzuka Model

IF rumors are to be believed there is a new Honda engine being readied for the final round of the 2001 world championship dubbed SS or 'Suzuka Special'.

At the end of what has been a particularly trying season for the Japanese giant, with just 34 points amassed in 64 starts, an extra effort is required on what is literally home ground - the Honda-owned Suzuka circuit in Japan - for the final race of the year.

Briton Darren Manning is understood to have been testing the SS model engine at Mugello this week, although the British American Racing driver is somewhat ring rusty when it comes to Formula 1, having rarely made it into the BAR in his time with the team.