Arrows trucks ordered to return to Leafield

Returning home
By Huw Alban
August 12 2002

Unconfirmed reports have emerged that the Arrows trucks have turned around and are now heading back to the Leafield factory, on instruction from team management. A formal announcement from the team on the situation is expected tomorrow (Tuesday).

The popular motorsports website, Crash.net, broke the news late this afternoon. Apparently the convoy of Arrows trucks had made it to Germany by this afternoon, but are now on their way back to the UK via Luxembourg.

The site also reports (confirming earlier stories) that the team’s employees have not been paid for the month of July, and believes that the team’s financial situation is far worse than previously thought. There is apparently a problem with the deal to secure the team’s future, due to “complications in the ‘due diligence’ appraisal of the team’s assets and liabilities.” (If anyone knows what that means, an explanation on the message board would be welcomed.)

If the team do not compete in Hungary then it will save a further engine payment to Cosworth, but may find itself liable for a fine from the FIA for not competing. As with the British Grand Prix, there is also a chance that the team could find itself thrown out of the championship altogether. No doubt team management would have already discussed the options with FIA officials to be sure that this would not happen after the Hungarian weekend.

Crash.net also reports that Tom Walkinshaw addressed the team employees at the Leafield factory this afternoon. There he stated that if the team were to compete this weekend, then it would “jeopardise” the completion of a deal to save the team. There had been similar reports after the French Grand Prix, where Arrrows deliberately failed to qualify for the race. The reason given then was that any damage to the race cars would result in a further legal wrangle as to who would pay for the repairs.

A formal announcement from the team is expected tomorrow. This site’s thoughts are with the team members and their families who must be very worried tonight. Arrows – all the fans are behind you and willing you to survive.