race report

Makoto Tamada easily won the first World Superbike race of the day aboard his Cabin Honda after fighting off a brave challenge from Troy Corser in the early going.

Michael Schumacher took the Spanish Grand Prix win he always appeared capable of - but only after race-long rival Mika Hakkinen broke down on the last of the 65 laps.

Derbi's Youichi Ui took a lights to flag victory today in the 125cc race from Welkom, South Africa, with Manuel Poggiali taking his best ever finish in second behind the Japanese rider.

Bernd Schneider won the opening DTM race today at Hockenheim just ahead of the second placed finisher Marcel Fassler. It completed a perfect weekend for the D2 Mercedes driver after taking pole position in qualifying; being fastest in the warm-up and top runner in the sprint race.

Running unmolested for the first in a grand prix this season, Ralf Schumacher was able to lead from start to finish and claim a maiden F1 victory at Imola.

Dale Jarrett scored his first career NASCAR Winston Cup victory at the demanding Martinsville Speedway and his third of the 2001 season when he passed Robert Yates Racing team-mate Ricky Rudd with just six laps to go to take Sunday's Virginia 500 and gain some breathing space over Jeff Gordon in

Valentino Rossi wrote his name into the record books by claiming Honda's 500th win today at Suzuka, in a race that will be remembered for the intense grudge match witnessed between Rossi and archrival Max Biaggi.

John Reynolds powered to a brilliant winning double in the opening round of the British Superbike Championship at Donington Park - the former champion had things relatively comfortable in the opening 25-lapper at his local circuit, but was made to fight every inch of the way in the second as Jame

David Coulthard was not high on many peoples' list of Brazilian Grand Prix winners, but the Scot came through an unpredictable race to take his eleventh win, in mixed conditions at Interlagos.

Maximum points for Peugeot on the tarmac of Catalunya have given a welcome kick-start to the defending champions' 2001 campaign.

Michael Schumacher made it six of the best with success in Sepang, but the Malaysian rain gods made him work for what turned out to be another comfortable victory.

Troy Corser achieved what he failed to do last year by taking a Valenican double on the factory Aprilia RSV1000, the Australian taking a light to flag victory ahead of countryman Troy Bayliss and a fired up Gregorio Lavilla.

Troy Corser romped home to victory in the first of Sunday's two races at the 2.95-mile Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia as sun bathed the Eastern Spanish track for the first time, Troy Bayliss and Ben Bostrom completing the podium.

Tommi M?kinen celebrated his 100th FIA World Championship rally start in style by winning the Rallye de Portugal, after completing four days on one of the toughest events in recent memory.

Michael Schumacher extended his Formula One winning streak to five races with a confident and comfortable victory in the season opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, but his triumph was again to be clouded by tragedy.

Michael Waltrip took his first ever Winston Cup victory in what has turned out to be NASCAR's saddest day as the racing world mourns the loss of seven times Winston Cup Champion Dale Earnhardt.

Mike Skinner held off Dale Earnhardt Jr in a photo finish in a wide-open battle at the Daytona International Speedway in the final Gatorade 125 Qualifying race at the 2.5-mile Superspeedway.

Harri Rovanpera became the latest Finn to join the winners' circle on a world championship rally, when the 32 year old held off all challengers to take his maiden victory - on his debut for the Peugeot team.

Tony Stewart emerged victorious from a thrilling Bud Shootout at the Daytona International Speedway in which he survive a late race challenge from not one but two members of the Earnhardt family.

The turbocharger of Tommi Makinen's Mitsubishi has been ruled illegal by the scrutineers of Rally Australia, handing a controversial victory to fellow Finn Marcus Gronholm.

Tony Stewart claimed his second successive Homestead victory in an intense battle at the 1.5-mile track but the day belonged to Bobby Labonte who clinched his first Winston Cup title with a fine fourth place.

The second leg of Rally Australia again saw the top drivers juggling their positions in preparation for tomorrow's crucial final leg.

Gil De Ferran took the 2000 CART Fed-Ex Championship a day late at the Fontana Speedway in Southern California in a race filled with drama and excitement than saw Christian Fittipaldi scoop the $1 million winner's bonus.

Peugeot 206 teammates Gilles Panizzi and Francois Delecour dominated the opening leg of the San Remo Rally, fellow teammate and championship leader Marcus Gronholm would end the day sixth almost a minute behind.