Walker Holds Out Hope For A Moomba Gp

The Age

Wednesday July 21, 1999

Organisers of the formula one Australian Grand Prix are still optimistic the Melbourne race will go ahead on its traditional Moomba weekend next year.

GP supremo Ron Walker yesterday said talks to restore Melbourne to pole position on the calender and get the race moved back a week were still taking place.

Albert Park insiders later indicated they were confident of getting their preferred date of the second weekend in March, although there was conjecture whether the push to regain the first race of the season from Malaysia would succeed.

One event for which the timing is not in doubt is the 500cc motorcycle GP, which will take place on the weekend of 1-3October this year - with Australia's five-time world champion Mick Doohan hoping to ride.

Doohan hopes to make his comeback from injury at the Czech Grand Prix in late August. Yesterday he said he hoped to be off crutches within a fortnight.