Motor Racing: Nissan team to tempt Hill

DAMON HILL has been offered the opportunity to continue racing next season, in the British Touring Car Championship, writes Derick Allsop. Team Dynamics have written to the former Formula One world champion and are prepared to give him a private test drive in their Nissan Primera.

The independent team claimed a place in touring car history last Easter when their driver, Matt Neal, became the first privateer to win a championship race outright. His reward was a cheque for pounds 250,000.

A Team Dynamics official, Richard Tait-Harris, said: "Nigel Mansell and Derek Warwick have raced in the British Touring Car Championship after leaving Formula One and if Damon wants to race on he would bring thousands of new fans to touring cars. For the first time, true Damon Hill fans would find Damon accessible because of the relaxed atmosphere of our series."

Heinz-Harald Frentzen has been signed by Jordan for another year. The team principal, Eddie Jordan, has exercised his option on the German driver, who has been a revelation in his first season with the Silverstone-based outfit.

Frentzen, who was written off after two disappointing years with Williams, is currently fourth in the drivers' championship with 23 points going into Sunday's British Grand Prix. The 32-year-old scored the team's second career win in France last week to consolidate their third place in the constructors' championship.

Jordan said: "Heinz-Harald has been the revelation of the year and his speed and consistency has been key to Jordan Mugen-Honda's current third place in the 1999 world championship. We are all delighted that he will be staying with us next year and look forward to even greater success."

Frentzen, who has claimed three podium finishes in seven races, said: "I am delighted that Jordan has taken up its option on my services. We have shown that we are a force to be reckoned with and I look forward to continuing the challenge for greater results in the year 2000."