British Grand Prix Qualifying Day:

Hill-so far-in a class of his own.

By Andrew Frankl Euro B.C. TACH

The interest in motor racing in this country in quite incredible. More than 50 thousand people turned up to see qualifying practice on Saturday and if they were fans of Damon Hill they were not disappointed. The Englishman drove with his new-found calm, a far cry from the neurotic person who this time last year during the race out of total frustration and impatience he drove into Schumacher and eliminated both of them from the race. Mind you, leading the championship by a mile does help, it would be major miracle if he did not clinch the in 1966.

To be fair even though he does have the best car he still has to drive it flat out and this he did without any mishaps of any kind. His team-mate Villeneuve was not far behind but all eyes were on Schumacher after the fiasco in France when his engine blew a piston on the warm-up lap.

Michael, being the professional he is, put the whole thing firmly behind him and got on with the job. His third place on the grid is as much a credit to his ability as the quality of the car, his team-mate Irvine had difficulties qualifying in 10th place. Mika Hakkinen drove a sensational lap to start from the second row of the grid on a track he knows like the back of his hands.

The big story of the week-end of course the mugging of Formula One Czar Bernie Ecclestone in London a few days ago.

There is some irony in the fact that the Formula One paddock these days is like an armed camp with magnetic cards for entry and exit and with 2 metre tall gorillas everywhere. The paddock club, where the really, seriously rich people go to have lunch and to watch the race is guarded by former members of the French Foreign Legion.

All master-minded by one Bernie Ecclestone who goes out to dinner with his wife, steps out of his Bentley only to be met by two thugs. They first tore a 1 million dollar (NO, not a misprint) ring off her finger and then proceeded to beat him up. Even today, a week later his face is still black and blue. Where did it happen? In Chelsea Square, in the heart of London.

The two Benetton-Renault cars were again some way behind Williams-who have the same engine-with Alesi finishing qualifying in fifth place and Berger in seventh.