Motor Racing: Hill in position to please himself

DAMON HILL is growing used to life on centre stage. The other night he took in Tokyo's reincarnation of the Cavern Club, complete with Beatles lookalikes, and ended up on guitar, beating out 'Twist and Shout'.

When he arrived here, ostensibly disguised in cap and glasses, hordes of fans descended on him. Twelve months ago, he was back at home in London, fretting over his prospects of getting a job with Williams-Renault.

Now here he is, one of the main attractions, and planning another performance to have them gyrating in the aisles at Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix. The drivers' and constructors' championships may be decided, as is Hill's place alongside Ayrton Senna at Williams next year, but try telling the Englishman there is nothing to play for in the two remaining races of this season.

Hill, having dutifully backed up Alain Prost's successful championship campaign, is released to indulge himself here and in Australia. Even with three wins to his credit, he senses the opportunity to fully express himself for the first time.

'I'll be able to come out fighting and not be hindered by thoughts of what might happen if I make a tactical error,' he said. 'We have a clean sheet of paper again. There is a lot at stake in the last two races. These races are up for grabs. Alain is keen to win here and in Adelaide to go out in style, and there's a lot of kudos to be won from my point of view.

'It's important for me to finish second in the championship, and really I have to think only of staying ahead of Senna and Michael Schumacher in these two races to do that. But I want to win both races and if I stay ahead of everyone, what better way of finishing the job?'

Hill does, however, strike a cautionary note. He has not yet driven this circuit in anger and anticipates strong competition from Benetton- Ford - winners in Portugal last month - and McLaren-Ford, as well as from Prost. He jogged around the track yesterday and came to the conclusion: 'I think it could be a difficult circuit to learn.'

Martin Brundle, one of the two British drivers with Ligier-Renault, was grateful just to be here yesterday. He has bruised ribs following a heavy crash in testing at Magny- Cours last week, but insists he will compete. His car was launched off the track after breaking a wishbone and hit a wall at about 100mph. 'It was the biggest shunt of my life,' Brundle said. 'I must have been in the air for more than 100 metres.'

The United Kingdom's latest Formula One recruit, Eddie Irvine, from Northern Ireland, makes his debut at this race for Jordan-Hart. Lotus are due to confirm this weekend that Johnny Herbert is to stay with them for a further year.