FEBRUARY 15, 2004

Stephanie Sheene to wave chequered flag in Melbourne

Stephanie Sheene, the widow of Barry Sheene, will wave the chequered flag at this year's Australian Grand Prix. Last year Sheene was invited to wave the flag but was too ill with cancer to be able to attend and he died the day after the race at the age of just 52.

Sheene was a great friend of the Australian Grand Prix, working at the race on a regular basis as a TV commentator. He was a friend of many of the Formula 1 driver, notably Gerhard Berger and Damon Hill.

Previous Melbourne flag-wavers have included Sir Jack Brabham, Alan Jones, Mick Doohan, Peter Brock, Bob Jane and Olympic 400-metre gold medallist Cathy Freeman.