Motor Racing: Walkinshaw to race IndyCars

TOM WALKINSHAW, the engineering director with the Benetton-Ford Formula One team, and the man whose Jaguars have won three world sportscar championships, confirmed yesterday that he will enter a team in IndyCar racing this season.

Walkinshaw will field two Lola- Fords at the Indianapolis 500, on 30 May, and in four subsequent races. He says he has sponsors and drivers lined up.

One candidate for a drive could be Martin Brundle, who is still without a job in Formula One. He has worked with Walkinshaw at Jaguar and Benetton. Walkinshaw would not confirm his choice of drivers. 'I have signed them, but I am not willing to name them,' he said. Walkinshaw described 1993 as 'a learning year prior to a full attack on the American championship in 1994.'

The American Honda Motor Co, the United States subsidiary of the Japanese group, announced yesterday that it would take part in the 1994 IndyCar championship, four months after Honda's withdrawal from Formula One.

The group, which made the announcement at the Detroit Motor Show, said it had set up Honda Performance Development Incorporated and the unit would make several engines available for a team which has yet to be chosen.

Screensport confirmed yesterday that it will provide live coverage of the IndyCar series starting with the first race at Surfers Paradise, Australia, on 21 March.