GILLMAN ENJOYS "SPRING TRAINING" IN AUSTRALIA!
6-TIME WORLD CHAMP CAPPELLINI HONORED IN ITALY!

LAUSANNE, Switzerland: Tuesday, 5th February, 2002 - Treated like a celebrity, while becoming an instant media star, American Scott Gillman was the first U.I.M. F1 World Champion to race "down under" in Australia in over 20 years and did his part wooing the fans as he won one event and finished 2nd the next weekend in the Australian F1 Tour just outside of Sydney.

Meanwhile, a half-a-world-away, the reigning and 6-time World Champion Guido Cappellini of the Assicom Team was honored by receiving the "The Golden Collar" ("Collare d'Oro") the highest distinction in the Italian Sports world presented to him by no other than the Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on the 23rd of January. The recognition of the CONI, which is attributed every year to Italian sportsmen who distinguish themselves in a particular manner in world competition. The 42 year-old native of Como, Italy captured his 6th title in Abu Dhabi last October. His 2001 title goes along with his 1999, 1996, 1995, 1994 and 1993 championships.

As Cappellini was receiving his honors in Italy, his chief rival in the last 5 years, Gillman was warming up for the 2002 season of the U.I.M. F1 Championship season racing and getting massive media attention and commitments during his two week stay. One of the highlights of this trip was appearing on the nationwide "Today" program a very successful morning show in Australia.

The invitation was put together by his ex-teammate and close friend Craig Bailey, the defending Australian champion and past winner on the U.I.M. F1 world tour. Gillman, starting his 3rd year as lead driver for the Emirates Team, arrived in the middle of the Australian tour and battled Bailey in back  new friends he made in the land "down under" hoping to come back again.

"I had a great time, stated the U.I.M. F1 driver representative. "They had large crowds of knowledgeable fans and the enthusiasm was terrific. It's good training for me getting prepared both mentally and physically in my run for another Championship."

For the 3-time North American and 1997 and 2000 U.I.M. F1 World Champion it is back on a plane and back to work in Abu Dhabi continuing with his team to get their new Emirates boat ready for the end of April and the opening round in Portimao, Portugal.

Craig Bailey meanwhile will finish off his 2002 Australian F1 tour and may join the World Championship event this summer at the Malaysian Grand Prix.