Grand Prix Rejects

Autosport wrote:B&S "very proud" of Procar efforts

The men behind B&S Fabrications, the struggling British Formula One outfit, today expressed their pride to be so important a part of the BMW M1 Procar Championship.

"Of course, our struggles were well documented, but this year we have become far more ambitious. We have built our new Formula One car as a part of our plan to work towards 1981's new regulations, so when the Procar opportunity came our way it was too good to refuse."

Their driver choices are intriguing: Divina Galica is a long-standing staple of B&S, and although she stepped back from a Formula One race seat in World Championship events, she has still been very much a part of the team. Her reward this year is the opportunity to lead the team's Procar efforts, as well as to continue competing in non-Championship Formula One events.

In the other seat, however, is Kelby Rogerson. He came to the team through his links with occasional driver Luciano Sighinolfi, who wanted the Irishman to have a second chance after he sustained injuries in a horror crash at Enna in the opener of the ill-fated Dywa Grand Prix series last year. Sighinolfi had been the driver planned to take the reins of the second B&S Procar, but instead suggested that his team gave the opportunity to Rogerson.

"Honestly, I've no idea what to expect," Rogerson told us, "In the weeks after that crash, I didn't know if I'd be able to walk again. Once we found that I could, I didn't know if I'd be able to drive again. And after that, I had to learn if I could compete again. Luciano has been great to me though - ever since the crash, he has helped me out every step of the way. He became a friend, not just a former team owner."

It remains to be seen how competitive either Galica or Rogerson will be in a field that will consistently include top Formula One drivers like Nelson Piquet, Clay Regazzoni, and the five-strong BMW Motorsport roster that cherry-picks the best of the F1 grid each weekend, but both will be excellent representatives of their team.

Autosprout wrote:SCHECKTER WINS IN SPANISH SIESTA
The new BMW M1 Procar series had a rather unremarkable start to proceedings at Circuito del Jarama this past Saturday. Jody Scheckter won in dominant fashion over Alan Jones and Nelson Piquet but many of the local fans had opted to leave the circuit in their hot cars instead of watching a very boring race with just a single overtake.

Frenchman Guillaume Gauthier complained about the new cars and blamed the aerodynamics. "We just can't follow one another for some reason. This needs to be fixed or I won't bother next time."

BMW has reportedly been in discussions with B&S Fabrications and other suppliers to try and sort a fix for the race at Zolder.

Autosprout wrote:HANS-JOACHIM GETS STUCK IN AT ZOLDER
The second race of the BMW M1 Procar was a much more exciting affair that the opening round in Spain. There were far more overtakes for a start - and drivers as a rule were much happier once helmets were removed. Tempers did flare up in parc fermé when Nurmester confronted fellow Grand Prix driver Nelson Piquet after the Brazilian's rather cynical move sent the F1 championship leader into the gravel at Kanaalbrocht. Nurmester called Piquet a "talentless plonker" whilst Piquet said something unprintable in response.

Whilst this was happening, AM Gelsenkirchen's Hans-Joachim Stuck romped off into the distance to give him and his team their first win in the series at a somewhat local circuit. Stuck said of his victory "It's great to get a win for the boys back at AMG. I have great confidence in my abilities and I have a good chance of winning the series if some of the F1 boys don't compete at every round. Let's see!"

Autosprout wrote:VON GOTTORP - PRINCE OF MONACO
The glitz and glamour of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend was heightened by the third round of the BMW M1 Procar Series. Poleman Leonhard von Gottorp drove an incredibly mature race to hold off title contender Manfred Winkelhock and win his first in the series. Alan Jones was left fuming after a puncture saw him retire - most likely caused by debris from a previous incident involving Arturo Merzario and Olivia Cacciatori. Von Gottorp had this to say after his superb performance on Saturday; "I cannot convey my emotion right now. Winning at this most prestigious of venues is something any racing driver dreams of. I will remember this for the rest of my life and I must thank all who made this possible."

Other News Outlets Are Available wrote:Gottorp triumphs in Procars at Monaco
Randrew Damnson, CHIEF Formula 1 Correspondent

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At the other end of the grid, there was dreadful news for B&S Fabrications' Kelby Rogerson.

The Irishman, who is making his racing return from a career threatening back injury, qualified seven places below his teammate before withdrawing from the race due to severe back pain.

Bob Sparshott confirmed that Rogerson would be missing the upcoming race at Brands Hatch as a precaution, with Rupert Keegan instead being tasked with running double duty for B&S as he also attempts the Formula One event that weekend.