Lucky Aiello to use spare car

championship leader Laurent Aiello found himself smashing into the pit wallin his Nissan Primera.

He was out on the spot, and the safety car had to be sent out while his car
was removed.

'It was a big hit. A big shunt into the wall,' Aiello said.

'I made a better start than [pole position man] James Thompson, and since
he was blocking on the right, I decided to go on the left. I didn't see any
car in my mirror - but I guess there was a car.

The Nissan hit Jason Plato's Renault and rebounded into the wall. The car isn't repairable in time for the second race, the impact damaged
both front and rear ends, and made it immovable.

Last year, that would have been the end of his meeting, but a new rule for 1999 allows teams to use their spare car. Aiello will therefore take part in the Feature Race, but driving the T-car rather than his regular Primera.

However, he will be hoping not to have a similar problem later in the year. The rule allows the spare car to be used, but only once every season. If Aiello has a similar early problem again in 1999, he won't be so lucky.