Vic; Inquest to probe Grand Prix track marshal's death

AAP General News (Australia)
12-03-2001
Vic; Inquest to probe Grand Prix track marshal's death

MELBOURNE, Dec 3 AAP - An inquest will begin in Melbourne today into the tragic death
of a track marshal at this year's Australian Grand Prix.

The inquest will investigate the death of track marshal, Graeme Beveridge, 52, who
was killed in a freak accident during the opening laps of this year's event after a collision
between formula one stars Jacques Villeneuve and Ralf Schumacher.

Mr Beveridge died after a wheel which tore free from Villeneuve's car during the crash
plunged through a gap in the track-side safety barrier and hit him in the chest.

State Coroner Graeme Johnstone's inquest will also indirectly decide the future for
Grand Prix racing in Victoria since the death has meant uncertainty for next year's event.

An official inquiry by formula one racing's governing body, the Federation Internationale
Automobile (FIA), into Melbourne's Albert Park circuit decided the track met all safety
standards for a world championship event.

And the Australian Grand Prix Corporation is continuing to plan for next year's race,
confident the 2002 Grand Prix will proceed on March 3 as scheduled.

But the FIA has given the Australian Grand Prix only a provisional place on next year's
world championship calendar and the fixture is only likely to be confirmed once the inquest
result is known.

AAP ra/rs

KEYWORD: MARSHAL

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.