NOVEMBER 20, 2002

Firman to test for BAR

Ralf Firman Jr is to test for the British American Racing team next month in Spain. Firman (27) is the current Formula Nippon Champion and wellknown in Japan. The 1996 British Formula 3 Champion has been exiled in Japan for the last few years because of lack of money to compete in Europe, despite the fact that his father is the founder of the Van Diemen company.

A number of recent F1 drivers learned their trade in Formula Nippon in Japan, notably Eddie Irvine, Mika Salo and Ralf Schumacher.