From: graeme@tasman.cc.utas.edu.au (Graeme)
Subject: Adelaide F1 first practice qualifying times (incomplete)
Keywords: F1
Organization: University of Tasmania, Australia.
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1992 20:15:54 GMT

The paper commented that Mansell recorded 1:13.997 (the first sub 1:14 ever
recorded on the track) in the first free practice session on Friday morning.
In the afternoon qualifying session 1:13.741 on his 15th lap, returned to the
pits, then went out again and recorded an astonishing 1:13.732. These times
obliterated the 1:14.041 benchmark set by Senna during qualifying for last
year's race. When told he had set the fastest lap ever he was reported to have
commented "Oh Really". "I'm happy about that; it's a little surprising because
I had a slight problem on my quickest lap when a fuel injection trumpet fell
off, interfering with the air flow and I had an engine that was running on 
nine and three-quarter cylinders". Mansell was reported as reckoning he could
have cut 0.2 seconds off his time in a perfect lap. If he takes the fastest 
qualifying time, he will have 14 pole positions this year, and break Senna's
1988 and 1989 record of 13 pole positions. He holds the present official lap
record for Adelaide of 1:18.203 (174 kph). This race will be his 181st
race in his 12 years in F1. He is due to go to what James Hunt calls "a
domestic American Formula"(! :-)), but after leaving to have a hot bath and
a golf driving session "to keep my body in shape" he commented he would have
no control over a situation where his employers (Newman-Hass) would agree to
a buy-out of his Indy contract that would precipitate his return to F1.
(In interviews on local TV during the week, his new employers said they
had no interest in this; strange how persistent the rumour is).
Mansell also commented during the week in a TV interview that he was
not interested in driving with Prost "who told too many pork pies".

Senna recorded 1:14.202 (slower than his 1:14.041 pole last year). He was
quoted as saying he had driven to his "maximum" yesterday, and could have
recorded a sub 1:14 lap if he had not run out of fuel at the end of
Brabham straight on the session's final lap. In a TV report he appeared to be
trying hard, losing it and almost taking out another car (Larousse?). He
was reported as saying he didn't give himself a chance of winning if the 
Williams had a trouble-free run.

There were also TV pictures of what was reported as a fire in the Larousse pits,
but it wasn't possible to see if a car was in the middle of the fire.
Does anyone from Adelaide know?

Mansell was kind about the resurfacing done earlier this year that had
eliminated most of the bumps. "They've done a fabulous job; the circuit is
the best it's been in the history of the race."

:-) Regarding the history of the race (whch was awarded to Senna in a rain 
shortened (14 lap) race last year) and been VERY wet twice,
there were no reports of drivers testing with flippers & snorkels;
but the Australian had a photo of Katayama spinning about a foot above the 
track, perhaps this would be a useful new way to avoid acquaplaning,
just jump the puddle :-), (hey guys, at least the rest of the report is serious)
Graeme.