Motor Racing: Mansell is ready to start testing

NIGEL MANSELL, Britain's Formula One world champion, is set to begin his IndyCar testing in Arizona next week. He and team-mate Mario Andretti will test the Lola-Ford Cosworth for the Newman-Haas Racing team in a four-day session from 5 to 8 January at the Phoenix international raceway.

Mansell, who won his first driver's title in a Renault-powered Williams, decided to switch to the IndyCar racing circuit after contract negotiations with the Williams team boss, Frank Williams, broke down.

Another famous name from the Formula One circuit, may also be making the transition to the American circuit. Honda, which quit the European-dominated Formula One circuit this season after 10 successful years, is considering competing in IndyCar races in the United States.

'We have not reached any formal decision yet,' a Honda Motor Corporation official said. 'We are studying the form and timing of our possible participation.'

He was commenting on a report in the Yomiuri newspaper that Honda's United States subsidiary would become the first Japanese- affiliated firm to take part in the biggest American motor racing circuit next year.

The report said Honda would make a formal announcement in the United States in early January. The move is allegedy aimed at promoting its visibility as an American car manufacturer.

In September, Honda said it would 'suspend' its Formula One activities to concentrate resources on the development of cleaner and safer cars. Nobuhiko Kawamoto, the president of Honda, declared his company had 'achieved our Formula One goal'.

The 1992 season saw Honda slip in the constructors' title for the first time in seven years after having supplied engines that powered Williams and then McLaren to victory.