UNOFFICIAL F3000 INFORMATION

Kane wins first Indy Lights race - Former International F3000 driver Jonny Kane won the Indy Lights finale at the California Speedway. The Team KOOL Green driver, the 1997 British F3 champion, also clinched the 'Rookie of the Year' title. Kane drove for Redman Bright in F3000 in 1998 without success, and couldn't afford to complete the season. Fellow British F3 graduate Ben Collins finished second. The weekend was overshadowed however by the death of Greg Moore in the Champ Car race. (Source: www.indylights.com )

Sundberg to test for Fortec - Italian F3 champion Peter Sundberg is to test for Fortec Motorsport, probably in December. The Swede also has a test lined up with Super Nova at Jerez on November 9th. (Source: Autosport)

Gauloises Junior tests frontrunners- Indy Lights frontrunner Scott Dixon and French F3 champion Sebastien Bourdais tested for the Gauloises Formula team at Dijon last week. Kiwi Scott Dixon, the 1998 Formula Holden champion, is planning to drive in Europe next year. (Source: Autosport)

Ayari to stay at Oreca for 2000?- Former French F3 champion and double F3000 race winner Soheil Ayari has a "50/50 chance" of staying with ORECA for a fourth attempt at the title, according to team boss Hugues de Chaunac. The franchman was also considering entering Indy Lights. The team is also seeking a second experienced driver to race alongside Ayari. (Source: Autosport)

Watt told he will never walk again - Jason Watt, second in this year's F3000 standings, has been told he will not regain the use of his legs following his recent motorcycle accident. The Dane was brought out of a controlled coma last week, and still has movement in his upper body. He will stay in hospital in Copenhagen for several months. Messages of support can be sent c/o Super Nova Racing, Church Road, Griston, Norfolk, ENGLAND, IP25 6PY or via the official website at http://www.watt.dk/ . (Source: Autosport)

Martello is final entry for 2000 - Team Martello has been granted the 15th entry slot for the 2000 International F3000 Championship as a result of Giorgio Vinella winning the Italia F3000 series. The other entries are the top 14 teams in the 1999 International series. Team Martello graduated from Formula Renault, and this was their first championship win. (Source: Autosport)

Kolby stars on Italia F3000 debut - British F3 frontrunner Kristian Kolby made his Italian F3000 debut in Round 7 at Imola. The Dane, driving for Coloni, qualified third, but clashed with Marco Apicella on lap five. He recovered to finish an impressive fifth. Also making their debut were Team Ghinzani. The Italian F3 squad fielded International F3000 driver Paolo Ruberti who finished third. (Source: Autosport)

Morelli takes biggest win of career - Dino Morelli won the most important race of his career at the Italian F3000 finale at Imola. The Northern Irishman dominated the race, only his second in the series, from start to finish. He moved up to equal fifth in the final standings as a result. Morelli raced for DKS Racing in the International series in 1997, but his season was ended by a horrific accident at the Nurburgring. He has since raced sporadically for Auto Sport Racing and Coloni in 1998 and 1999, but hopes this win will enable him to do a full season in 2000. (Source: Autosport)

Vinella clinches Italian F3000 title - Former Coloni International F3000 driver Giorgio Vinella won the inaugural F3000 Italia title despite only finishing ninth in the final round at Imola. He escaped a 150mph crash in qualifying and was forced to start from the back. Title rival Werner Lupberger spun off, recovered, but could only finish sixth. Team Martello as a result have won promotion to International F3000 for 2000. Team boss Andy Chisolm plans to take Vinella back to the series, although the Italian proved uncompetitive in 1998. (Source: Autosport)

2000 Calendar announced - Next year's F3000 calendar has been released by the FIA. The 10 round series will once again start in Imola (on April 8th) and will be concluded at Spa-Francorchamps (August 26th). Each round will once again be supporting a Grand Prix on the Saturday. The F3000 calendar is available now in the 2000 Preview section. (Source: www.autosport.com )

Ayari tests PacWest Indy Lights Lola - Double F3000 race winner Soheil Ayari tested a PacWest Indy Lights Lola T97/20 at the Putnam Park road course outside Indianapolis. The Frenchman recorded over 300 miles in the 2-day session and outpaced 1999 season frontrunner Jonny Kane. He is looking to compete in Indy Lights next year before moving to Champ Cars in 2001. (Source: www.indylights.com )

Motoyama wins penultimate round - Satoshi Motoyama won round 9 of the Formula Nippon championship at Twin Ring Motegi. It was his third win of the year for the Unlimited Le Mans team. Ryo Michigami (Speedmaster Mooncraft) finished second with series leader Tom Coronel (PIAA Nakajima) third. The championship will now go down to the wire at the final round, Coronel leading Motoyama by four points. (Source: http://www.f-nippon.co.jp/)

Piccini to stay with Kid Jensen - Italian Andrea Piccini has signed for a second year of F3000 with the Kid Jensen Racing team. The former Formula Opel star proved fast on occasion in 1999, running fourth at Imola before retiring and finishing fifth at the A1-Ring. (Source: BBC Ceefax).

Bernoldi gets taste of F1- Red Bull Junior F3000 driver Enrique Bernoldi tested for Sauber over two days this week. The Brazilian may be considered as test driver in 2000 for the Red Bull sponsored team. (Source: www.autosport.com )

Albers tests for Red Bull- German F3 championship leader Christijan Albers tested for Red Bull Junior with regular driver Ricardo Mauricio at the Pannoiaring in Hungary. The Dutchman completed 30 laps and finished 0.3secs slower than Mauricio. Albers has had several offers of F3000 tests and looks likely to graduate to the category next year. (Source: www.autosport.com )

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