Grand prix delayed in attempt to woo rebels

Press, 24 December 1980, Page 16

Grand prix delayed in attempt to woo rebels

NZPA Paris’ The ruling body of world motor sport has announced that the start of the 1981 world championship Grand Prix season in Argentina ; would be delayed from January 25 to February 22 in a . final attempt to attract rebel teams back to the championship.

In London, however, the mainly British rebels contesting the authority of the International Auto Sport Federation (F.1.5.A.) had a friendly Parliamentarian raise the crisis in the House of Commons in an attempt to swing British Government support behind them. The F.I.S.A. president, Jean-Marie Balestre, told a news conference that the delay was to allow further development time for rebel cars.

The rebels, ’grouped as the Formula One Construction Association (F.0.C.A.) include this year’s world champion, Frank Williams. Williams and his world champion driver, Alan Jones, of Australia, did not attend I the F.I.S.A. annual award ■ceremony which followed’ I the news conference. < ■ F.O.C.A. claims .that F.I.S.A. exceeded ks powers: when it banned aerodynamic: aids, called skirts, from 19811

ifor safety reasons. Major ■factories in Grand Prix racing have followed . F.I.S.A. and Alfa Romeo, Renault, Ferrari, Talbot-Ligier, Osella and the new Toleman team have so far entered 15 cars for the official championship. Mr Balestre said that F.I.S.A.’s executive commission authorised ' 13' races for

the , world championship with'a Sail Marino grand prix at Imola, Italy, as“first reserve.” He said that races, planned in Bradil and Austria would not be given dates unless required track

safety work had been ished and inspected. • The- world championship? calendar is:. February 22, Ar-* gentina, Aires;; March- 15, U.S. West, LongBeach, California -April 12,j South Africa, Kyalami; May; 17, Belgium, Zolder; May 31, •- Monaco; June '2l, Spain*-■ Ja-j--rama; July 5, France, Dijftji; j July 18, Britain, Silverstofi*; August 2, Germany, enheim; August; : 30,'?j'.lhe' Netherlands,,, Zandoort; ■ Scp-l tember 13. Italy,.;- Monza;? September 27, CanadaLMpn-c treal; October 4, U.S. 'East,; Watkins Glen, New York. J