Schumacher car the highlight of racing centenary

CELEBRATING a centenary of motorsport, Motorsport Ireland which is promoting the Swiftpost-sponsored Phoenix Park Motor Races (August 16 and 17) is confident the event will attract the huge crowds of former years.

One of the highlights will be the appearance of Michael Schumacher’s Formula 1 car that will be driven around the circuit by Irish racing driver, Michael Cullen.

From a competitive perspective, there is a 28-race programme organised by the Irish Motor Racing Club and the Leinster Motor Club. All the current classes in Irish motor racing will be catered for along with historic races.

The renewed enthusiasm i s expected to bring the event back to its heyday when some 100,000 people flocked to The Park that continues its policy of free admission.

Aside from Ferrari’s F1 car, the new 1m Ferrari Enzo will also be on display. Dubbed A celebration of motorsport, there will also be a display of vintage cars, stunt car demonstrations, pit stop challenges and an exhibition of Jordan team cars.

Justin Wilson cannot wait to unleash his new Jaguar onto the grid at this weekend’s German Grand Prix at Hockenheim. Wilson, 25 on Thursday, got some much-needed laps in the R4 car in a 35-mile shakedown at Silverstone yesterday.

But he is desperate to get some meaningful track time to secure his future at Jaguar having switched from Minardi until the end of the season.

“Friday testing at Hockenheim cannot come quick enough for me,” said 6ft 3in Wilson, who has replaced fellow rookie Antonio Pizzonia.

“The Jaguar R4 has made so much progress in the last few months so I will be looking to make the most of its pace and reliability.

“The shakedown test with the team at Silverstone all went according to plan. My seating position in the car is comfortable and the R4 felt very good,” he said.

Wilson is relishing the opportunity to make his mark further up the grid having impressed with his bravery and race craft in his 11 races with F1 minnows Minardi.

He knows he only has a few races to prove his ability to his new bosses with Jaguar saying they will make a decision on the 2004 driver line-up before the end of the season.

But Wilson is favourite to retain the seat and partner Australian Mark Webber who has scored all Jaguar’s 12 points this season as they bid for fifth place in the Manufacturers’ championship.

“The word busy is an understatement of how have I been recently,” added Wilson. “A new team, a new car, but still the same goals to score points in Formula One.

“With only five races to go I am acutely aware of the responsibility that I have to help the team push for fifth.

“My contract with Jaguar Racing is only for the next five races so I go to Hockenheim with a lot to prove to everyone,” he said.

Jaguar’s managing director David Pitchforth said: “Justin has joined us at a critical time in the championship and we are going to give him all the support he needs in order to compete.

“We are certainly not putting him under any pressure or setting any specific targets. I think it would be fair to say that we are not expecting miracles.

“Hockenheim will be like winter testing for Justin and to be honest, Hungary is likely to be more of the same. Monza is really going to be his first race and of course we would like him to achieve his best, whatever that may be,” said Pitchforth.