START, RACE IN PROGRESS, FINISH AND WINNER.




Initials JRG/V/MGT/ES


SPORT: MOTOR RACING

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: PHIL HILL OF THE UNITED STATES WON THE 1000 KMS SPORTS CAR RACE AT NURBURGRING YESTERDAY (SUNDAY). HE RISKED A LONG STOP AT THE PITS TO CHANGE ALL FOUR WHEELS OF HIS CHAPARRAL AND HE BROUGHT THE REAR-ENGINE CAR IN TO TAKE THE CHEQUERED FLAG.

ONLY 22 OF 77 MANAGED TO FINISH. AMONG THEM WAS HILL'S CHALLENGER, JOHN SURTEES, WHO WON LAST YEAR. SURTEES IN A 4-LITRE FERRARI HAD TROUBLED WITH A SHOCK ABSORBER. LATER, THE ENGINE GAVE TROUBLE AND HE WAS FORCED TO GIVE UP, HAVING SET THE FASTEST LAP IN 8 MIN. 37.8 SECS.

FOR HILL'S CHAPARRAL, WHICH IS POWERED BY A 5.4-LITRE CHEVROLET ENGINE, AND HAS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, THIS WAS A SUCCESSFUL DEBUT ON THE TWISTING 14-MILE CIRCUIT.

HILL WITH HIS CO-PILOT JO BONNIER OF SWEDEN, BEAT TWO DINO FERRARIS DRIVEN BY LUDOVICO SCARFIOTTI AND LORENZO BANDINI OF ITALY. THIRD WERE PEDRO RODRIGUEZ OF MEXICO AND RICHIE GUNTHER OF THE UNITED STATES.