Pitstop: New MP once diced with the Devil

By BOB PEARCE

Rallyman Paul Adams is following in distinguished wheel tracks as he takes his seat in Parliament as a United Future MP.

Ari Vatanen, one of the original Flying Finns, has already done the recce for this particular special stage by becoming a member of the European Parliament.

The two drivers share not only a career choice, but also a co-driver. Both had Kiwi Jim Scott alongside them as they competed on some of New Zealand's roughest roads.

From his retirement home on the Coromandel, Scott still keeps in touch with the rally scene by acting as advance manager for the Mitsubishi world rally team, making arrangements for their annual visit to this country for Propecia Rally New Zealand.

In 1977 he was alongside Vatanen in a Ford Escort for one of the most spectacular drives seen in a world championship rally here. They finished second to a works Fiat, but Vatanen was the fans' favourite with his spectacular driving style.

The Finn also fell in love with the country and returned shortly afterwards for his honeymoon. He was world champion in 1981 and competed in New Zealand several times, but never won.

Scott navigated for Adams in Escorts, Toyotas and a Vauxhall Chevette. In 1980, in the Chevette, the pair finished seventh and leading local competitors in the international rally.

So how does Scott rate his two drivers as safe pairs of hands to be steering the ship of state?

"They were both very good drivers and when you're competing, the adrenalin rush doesn't let you get scared.

"One thing they had in common was the determination to be the best at whatever they did.

"It doesn't surprise me that they went on to success outside rallying, because they'd always be looking for a new challenge and they'd want to be top of that tree.

"When I told my wife about Paul's turning to religion, she joked that God had better look out."

Adams' religious affiliations have veterans of the sport chuckling. In the early days of his Escort campaign he was sponsored by Little Lucifer Firestarters and carried a picture of the Devil on the side of the car.

The new MP showed he hasn't lost his touch on the roads by finishing 11th on the Far North Rally at the weekend in a Mitsubishi.

* * *

Whakatane rider Tony Rees had a solid weekend at the fifth round of the Australian Formula Xtreme championship at Oran Park, near Sydney.

Rees finished fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh in the four races, and remains in sixth place in the championship.

He was riding a 2000 Yamaha R1 against more modern machinery and was happy with his best laps, which would have put him on the podium last year.

* * *

Team Kiwi has delayed choice of its second driver to team with Jason Richards in the Australian V8 Supercar endurance races.

The choice was originally going to be a shootout between team members Angus Fogg and John McIntyre, but Team Kiwi have been checking the availability of Simon Wills since his split with the CAT team.

"For the past two Bathurst races we have taken a chance on lack of experience and we've done all right," team principal David John said.

"But this time we want to make sure we have the best available. The one stipulation is that it has to be a Kiwi."

* * *

Scott Dixon's move to Team Target has certainly got him up to speed, but he must be concerned about the reliability of his car.

In the latest Champ Car race at Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, Dixon qualified fifth, but for the third time in four races he failed to finish.

"We had a great car today, but we lost our rear brakes," he said. "That's pretty frustrating when you have a strong car. I was pushing pretty hard and I was turning some fast laps out there.

"When I went into turn five, the car wouldn't stop. When I came to a stop, the crew told me that the car was on fire. It's just one of those deals that you have in racing."

Cristiano da Matta, who won the race and leads the championship, is keen to switch to Formula One with Toyota next season, but is having trouble getting out of his contract with Newman-Haas Racing.

* * *

A dinner and auction in support of the Ashley Stichbury Memorial Trust will be held in Auckland on November 6.

Stichbury, one of the brightest stars of New Zealand motorsport, died of a brain haemorrhage this year, leaving a wife and young child.

The dinner and auction at the Ellerslie Convention Centre will be attended by several drivers from the V8 Supercar championship, which will be at Pukekohe that weekend.

* * *

The world rally championship breaks new ground this weekend as it heads into Germany for what will surely be the most varied event on the calendar. The first day will be on narrow roads among the vineyards, the second on an Army tank training centre, and the third on more conventional tarmac.

Only Marcus Gronholm (Peugeot), Francois Delecour (Mitsubishi) and Philippe Bugalski (Citroen) of the main contenders have cpmpeted on the route before.

Gilles Panizzi (Peugeot), the tarmac king, is still injured so Gronholm could extend his championship lead.