by

March 21^st, 2003

Australia’s most dangerous corner: Jones

BRAD Jones has branded Adelaide’s turn eight the most dangerous corner in Australian racing.

But the Ford veteran, who flipped his OzEmail Falcon at the corner two years ago before it was redesigned for last year’s event, relishes the challenge of the breathtaking 210km/h, sixth-gear ride.

“It's the fastest, hardest and most dangerous corner," he told The Advertiser newspaper.

“There is no room for error. If you make the slightest mistake as a driver or the slightest thing happens to the car then the results are catastrophic. There's no such thing as a minor kiss of the wall when you're doing 200km/h.

“On most corners a driver gets a real sense of satisfaction when getting it spot on, but this one you breathe a sigh of relief as well. It's very unforgiving.”

A chicane originally linked Bartels Road and Dequetteville Terrace, but race organisers transformed the corner into a blind, sweeping curve.

A number of drivers came to grief at the concrete-lined section last year, including Steve Ellery, Glenn Seton and, most spectacularly, Paul Radisich.

Seton cut his chin during his crash and, after years of resisting the trend, has now switched to wearing a full-face helmet.

This year, flashing yellow lights have been installed at the approach of the corner to warn drivers of any oncoming incident. The warning system has only ever been used before at Bathurst.