October 31 1999

The California Speedway at Fontana was the scene for the final round of the Champ Car series last Sunday. The build up had been nail biting. The title fight was down to the very last race with Dario Franchitti in the lead in the points and rookie Juan Montoya in second. This was the closest title race in the history of the series.

Franchitti was in a strong position from the start only needing to finish fourth to lift the title, even if Montoya won. It was Michael Andretti who stormed into the lead charging through the field in his Swift Ford. It was the final race for the Cosworth FD series engine fitted to Andretti's car. It is being replaced next season by the new lighter XF series engine. Lap ten saw an horrific crash involving Greg Moore. This incident was to cost Moore his life. The race continued and the drivers were unaware of the tragic consequences of the accident.

Max Papis took the lead after a round of pit stops. Andretti retired as did Paul Tracy. Franchitti was running fifth but a disastrous pitstop on lap 71 meant he had to return to the pits again dropping him two laps behind the leaders. The two lap gap was to remain for the rest of the race. Papis and Fittipaldi were trading the lead by mid-race and Montoya followed in third. Pit stops on lap 197 were to change the course of the race. Papis, Fittipaldi and Montoya had to take a late splash n' dash.

Adrian Fernandez moved into the lead. Over the next few laps Franchitti and Montoya drifted up and down the leaderboard. At one point Franchitti was in ninth with Montoya in tenth, which was enough to give Franchitti the title. Had it not been for a late pitstop on lap 234, Franchitti would have been assured title honours. Fernandez crossed the finish line victorious and claiming the one million dollar prize. He was followed home by Papis, Fittipaldi and Montoya. Franchitti eventually finished tenth.

While Franchitti and Montoya finished with the same points total Montoya was crowned champion having won more races during the season. It has been one of the most exciting seasons for some time. The victories and celebration were tinged with sadness as the news of Greg Moore's death filtered around the track.

It's true that motorsport is dangerous. The events at Fontana brought that home to us all again last weekend. The race was marked by tragedy when Greg Moore suffered fatal injuries as a result of an accident on lap ten. The young Canadian star lost control of his Players Mercedes Reynard in turn two. The car cut across the track, through the infield and hit a retaining wall. The car split in two with the cockpit rolling at least four times before coming to rest upside down on the grass. Moore was air lifted to hospital but was pronounced dead an hour later as a result of head injuries. A native of Vancouver, Moore was one of the brightest and talented stars in the racing world. His racing career started at the age of 14 when he took the 1989 North American karting championship. By 17 he was racing Indy Lights. He took the title in that series in 1995 by winning ten races in the twelve round series. He made his Champ Car debut in 1995. He has recorded five wins in the series. The approachable Moore will be sadly missed by the motor racing world.

Murph 5/11/99 - [email protected]

Mike Veglia was at Fontana. His photographs and comments will be online soon.

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