Tyrrell's farewell marks end of an era

   Copyright c 1998 Nando Media
   Copyright c 1998 Reuters

SUZUKA, Japan (Oct 28, 1998 - 22:20 EST) -- Ken Tyrrell, the last of
Formula One's grand old patriarchs, can be excused a tear or two on Sunday
when his team runs for the last time in a grand prix.

At home in England, the tall, avuncular former owner of the team built in
his name will probably rise before dawn to watch the season-ending Japanese
Grand Prix on television -- and mix a few emotional utterances as the race
unfolds.

It has always been that way with "Uncle Ken" throughout his 30
years in the sport.

Never one to hold his tongue when an honest word was on his lips, Tyrrell
left few in doubt about his feelings on the issues in a sport which has
changed entirely since he started out in 1968.

But, unless he changes his mind at the last minute and flies out to be at
Suzuka, he will be absent -- and silent -- when Tyrrell drivers Riccardo
Rosset and Toranosuke Takagi complete the season and three decades of
racing under his name.

The team was purchased last winter by the British American Racing (BAR)
team, set up by British American Tobacco, and will run next season in new
livery, under its new name and with a new driver line-up.

The Tyrrell team and name will therefore follow other great old Formula One
teams like Brabham, Lotus, Cooper, March and Ligier into the record books
and off the grid.

"It is sad that a famous name in Formula One will disappear after this
race," said Tyrrell's managing director Harvey Postlethwaite.
"But to be honest, there's very little room for nostalgia in grand
prix racing nowadays.

"This is a straight business deal. Tyrrell has been sold and life in
the Formula One paddock will move on.

"In that respect, grand prix motor racing is simply following the lead
of other modern professional sports where teams are regularly bought and
sold.

"This is not in any way to detract from the efforts of Ken Tyrrell or
the people who have worked for the team over the years," Postlethwaite
added.

"In fact it is a measure of the professionalism and dedication of the
Tyrrell staff that they have remained focused and motivated throughout this
year, despite the uncertainty resulting from the sale of the team.

"The Tyrrell Racing Organisation's achievments are significant and
will remain indelibly etched on the fabric of Formula One. Undoubtedly they
will continue to be of interest to those who have a passion for the sport
and its history."

When the doors close at the team's Ockham factory in Surrey for the last
time on November 15, the baton of Tyrrell's "existence" in F1
will pass to BAR, to be led by Canadian Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 world
champion.

It will not, however, rub out the records, statistics and memories of a
great team which took part in 451 grands prix, won 33, took 19 pole
positions and set 27 fastest laps.

The team also secured three F1 world drivers' championships with Briton
Jackie Stewart (now a team owner in his own right and the spiritual
successor to Tyrrell) in 1969, 1970 and 1971, when the team were also
constructors' champions.

Throughout three decades of progress, Tyrrell struggled to maintain the
team's early impetus despite a series of technical innovations, including
the 'high nose' front, hydrolink suspension and x-wings in recent times and
the controversial six-wheeled car of 1976.

In that time many successful drivers have sat behind a Tyrrell wheel
including Stewart, Jody Scheckter, Ronnie Peterson, Didier Pironi, Michele
Alboreto, Martin Brundle, Jean Alesi and Mika Salo.

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