Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 13, 1993 TAG: 9305130144
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The 39-year-old Englishman, injured April 2 in a crash during practice at Phoenix International Raceway, still aches from an April 28 operation that repaired a tear beneath the skin in his lower back. The reigning Formula One champion was left with a 10-inch scar and 17 internal stitches, as well as outer stitches that were removed Tuesday.
It took Mansell just 56 total laps, including warmups, to get through the required 10-lap tests at increasing speed brackets from 185 mph to above 200. He then was able to try for speed and finished the day with a remarkable fast lap of 222.855 mph - seventh fastest since practice began Saturday.
His final phase came under the scrutiny of a panel of Indy veterans - A.J. Foyt, Eddie Cheever, John Andretti and Tero Palmroth - who quickly gave Mansell their approval to continue practice and attempt to qualify for the May 30 race.
In other sports news:
H. Wayne Huizenga wants to build new homes for his baseball and hockey teams in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to anchor a mega-complex of attractions, including a museum, film studios and virtual-reality centers.
The 500-acre site would have the same goal as Disney World - drawing families to spend money for days - but it would merge sports and entertainment as never before. As the centerpiece, Huizenga plans a 48,000-seat baseball stadium with a retractable roof, where his Florida Marlins would play after their lease at Joe Robbie Stadium expires after the 1997 season. The venture would include a 20,000-seat arena for the Florida Panthers, who join the NHL this fall.
Huizenga is chairman of Blockbuster Entertainment Corp., and the complex would mesh the various elements of his expanding business, which includes movie libraries and music stores. Cost estimates begin at $150 million.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB