Friday May 23rd, 2003

Jordan are selling off the wrecked Formula One car driven by Japan's Takuma Sato and destroyed in one of last season's worst crashes.

The team's website advertised the tub of the car, also known as the driver's survival cell, as a chance to own a piece of Formula One history.

A spokeswoman for Jordan, who have had to fight to raise sponsorship this season, said on Friday that the proceeds would go towards the team's racing activities. The starting price was 14,500 pounds ($23,760).

Sato, now a test driver for BAR, was lucky to escape serious injury when Nick Heidfeld's Sauber skidded and slammed into him as he accelerated out of a corner at the Austrian Grand Prix just over a year ago.

Demand for Sato memorabilia is strong in Japan, where the driver finished fifth on his home debut last year.

"We have sold many Sato items on our website, this just happens to be the biggest one," said Mike Hall-Taylor, the head of Jordan Brands.

Published at 18:06:57 GMT

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(03-11-2005): Australian GP Paddock Gossip (03-09-2005): Greece Finds Site for Formula One Track (03-09-2005): Red Bull Set to Get Honda Engines in 2006 (03-08-2005): Schumacher in Line for Sporting Oscars (03-07-2005): Daily Grapevine Sunday Analysis - Australia

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