AUGUST 14, 2006

Racing around the world

Although the Formula 1 racing teams are on holiday, there was still plenty of action around at the weekend, notably in the United States where Kevin Harvick took victory from Tony Stewart in the NASCAR Winston Cup race at Watkins Glen. Harvick overtook Stewart with a dramatic pass three laps from the end to give Richard Childress Racing its second victory of the year. The team has been rejuvenated this year, in part because of the arrival of former Cosworth technical director Nick Hayes.

In Denver AJ Allmendinger won the Champ Car race at Denver and was greatly helped in his championship challenge when his team mate Paul Tracy took off Allmendinger's title rival at the last corner when Bourdais lying second. It is the second race running in which Tracy has taken off another competitor. Bourdais was none too happy with the Canadian. Tracy was on probation for the shunt with Alex Tagliani at San Jose. Tracy said he was not worried about being suspended as the next race is in Canada - an indication of where things stand in Champ Car at the moment. As a result of the crash Bourdais's team mate Bruno Junqueira was second and Britain's Dan Clarke third.

The Indy Racing League race at the Kentucky Speedway resulted in victory for Sam Hornish Jr, who moves back into the series lead as a result. Scott Dixon was second with Helio Castroneves third. Dan Wheldon was fourth.

At Silverstone Mike Conway took two more wins for Raikkonen Robertson Racing to increase his lead in the British F3 title.

The Grand Prix Masters event at the same meeting took place in the rain and saw victory going to Eddie Cheever from Eric Van de Poele.

Nigel Mansell spun off on the warm-up lap but did take the start only to spin off twice more and retire on the third lap.

Cheever was fortunate in that both Derek Warwick and Christian Danner spun out in front of him. Hans Stuck was fourth, ahead of Alex Caffi and Riccardo Patrese.