The Province from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • 127

Bentley driving towards promising Indy future By Don Harrison Sports Reporter Howdoyou get to the Molson Indy? despite the broken linkage that caused Bentley's fateful stall where track worker Jean-Patrick Hien was killed by Willy T. Ribbs' car that earned him admiration from his new comrades. "This year we had four teams interested and in the last few weeks a couple more," offering rides, said Bentley. "That helps me confidence-wise. "I've had a couple of shots from the media, (but) 1 get more respect from the drivers and teams than from anywhere else.

"1 finished 18th in my first Indy car race. Little Al finished 18th in his first Indy race." Bentley and his primary Spirit of Vancouver sponsors, Cantel, Han-kook and Shell cracked a $300,000 nut for 1991, and the hope is as it was after 1990 that next year will bring bigger and better things, ie. more than one race. "My goal is to get on the circuit fulltime and drive Indy cars for years," Bentley said, with the same forcefulness he's employed lo these many waiting and hoping years. "The companies that sponsor us are talking longterm involvement and so are the (new) people we are talking to.

If things keep going the way they are going, we will run the whole circuit next year." Spirit of Vancouver entry, the 34-year-old was a drumbeater rather than driver. He spent more time gripping hands than steering wheels. His 18th place finish in 1990 was a combination of a year-old car without an all-important Chevy engine and a lack of concentration on the job at hand. "There were a lot of distractions last year," Bentley said. "When it was over I said, 'Yes, I got through the race, but could I have done a better job without the "Accessibility is part of the job, but there are times for it and times not." Bentley is enthusiastic the 1990 Dale Coyne team car, driven last year to victory at the Denver race with a different engine by Al Unser Jr.

(it was the backup car to Little Al's winning entry in Vancouver), will prove far more competitive than his tired 1989 steed. "This new engine is a world of difference," Bentley said of the Cosworth DSF. "This is a good competitive car. It's not a top 10 car, but if things go well we can get into the top 12 at the finish. "Last year, we knew all we could do was finish." It was precisely that ability to finish with maligned material There, visible from his living room window, lies Ross Bentley's dream.

Across the water from his south side False Creek apartment, Bent-ley stares at the hairpin corner for the Molson Indy Vancouver circuit. It's an inspiring view. "It's a great place to live," said Bentley, who moved to the heart of the city with wife Robin in February. It's also a great place for Bent-ley, whose Spirit of Vancouver team will be making its second entry in the CART parade, to work on the mental preparation for his first race of any kind in 1991. "I'm working with Ron Lang-ford," Bentley said of the Colorado-based 'guru'.

"It's hard to explain in 10 words or less, but he helps with visualisation, how to get prepared. I'm so convinced I brought him up here in May for two days to speak to some drivers. He's going to be here the whole (Indy race weekend) to help me get focused." Getting ready, mentally and physically, has been a priority for Bentley in his second appearance in the Vancouver event. Last year, in the underpowered, underpre-pared and underfinanced Teamkar- ROSS BENTLEY More focused this year. Vancouver Regional Transit System if'- i ter 4S7VssrJf Pedals to the metal! (Or take transit) Transit is your best route to the Indy August 30, 31 and September 1.

Let SkyTrain whisk you right to the track at Stadium Station. Or the 3, 8, 19, 10, 14, 16 and 20 bus routes will take you within a short walk. If you are already downtown the 15 Cambie and 17 Oak routes also provide service to the area. (Please note the 15 and 17 will be rerouted inro downtown via Granville Street Bridge with some minor rerouting within the downtown area. Leaving downtown there are no changes.) On Sunday morning, both SkyTrain and SeaBus will operate an hour earlier.

If you are travelling from Surrey or Langley, additional early Sunday morning bus service will be provided to Scott Road Station on the 321, 330 and 501 routes. Pick up a copy of the August 30 Buzzer for more details. Or call Transit Information at 261-5100. D0 UW llCinSIl Spirit of Vancouver Society director Andy Field leans on Ross Stalf fll photo by Let Bazo Bentley's Dale Coyne team car..