1.
GV PAN Sign 'Fuji International Speedway' track and banner 'Formula One World Champion in Japan'. (2 shots)
0.11

2.
MV PAN Ferrari mechanics towing wheels in pits.
0.16

3.
MV's 'Good Year' tyre truck PAN TO tyres stacked in pits area. (2 shots)
0.27

4.
CU Ferrari sign PULL BACK TO MVs AND SVs mechanics working on Ferrari car. (6 shots)
1.00

5.
GV Ferrari pits, PAN TO others.
1.05

6.
CU 'McLaren' sign PULL BACK TO MVs AND SVs mechanics working on McLaren car. (6 shots)
1.30

7.
GVs Track. (2 shots)
1.47



Initials VS 18.05


SPORT - MOTOR RACING

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The 1976 World Formula One Grand Prix competition will be decided this Sunday (24 October).

SYNOPSIS: The deciding event is the Japanese Grand Prix to be held at the Fuji Speedway, 75 miles (120 kms) west of Tokyo. It's the first Formula One Grand Prix in the world series to be held in Japan. Mechanics were at the track during the week preparing the leading drivers cars for official practice on Friday and Saturday to decide starting positions for the crucial race.

Niki Lauda of Austria, driving for Ferrari is the reigning World Champion. He survived a near-fatal crash in the West German Grand Prix and fought his way back into the running for this year's Championship against his arch rival, James Hunt of Britain. Lauda's face was badly burned and his lungs were affected by fire and fumes. Despite this, Lauda was racing in the Italian Grand Prix six weeks later.

Ferrari has entered two cars - the other for Clay Regazzoni of Switzerland. James Hunt will be driving a McLaren. On 65 points, Hunt is three behind Lauda in the Championship score, and needs to win Sunday's race to become the new Champion driver. If Lauda comes second, Hunt will still take the championship. But if Hunt is second and Lauda third, Lauda will win. Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix is expected to draw a crowd of one hundred thousand to the Fuji Speedway which is at the foot of the famous Mount Fuji. Twenty four drivers will compete over the 73 laps of the four-mile (6.4 kms) circuit.