MARCH 27, 2002

Will the MSA back a Phoenix appeal?

THE most interesting question in recent days in racing circles is whether the Motor Sport Association in Britain will support an application to the FIA International Court of Appeal on behalf of Charles Nickerson's supposed F1 team (known as either Phoenix or DART GP). The International Court Appeal will not hear an appeal unless it is presented by the national sporting authority of the entrant. This system was introduced to stop teams making multiple appeals to the FIA.

The big question is whether MSA legal counsel will consider an appeal worthwhile as there is little evidence to back up the claims made by Phoenix. If the MSA refuses to take a case to the FIA it is conceivable that whoever is behind Phoenix might try to take legal action against either the FIA or the MSA. However there is not much of a legal case against either organization.