US cable network buys major share in Minardi

Motor Sport: Minardi chairman Gabriele Rumi said yesterday he had sold his 70 per cent stake in the Italian Formula One team to the Pan American Sports Network International (PSN) cable and satellite company.

Rumi, who has been involved in Minardi management since 1996, said he had enjoyed his spell in grand prix racing but he wanted to put the entire period behind him.

"The United States Grand Prix was my final race, from now on I don't want anything to do with Formula One," he said. "I even hope I'll never watch it again on TV because it will be too distressing for me."

The Faenza-based team, which has succeeded in securing Supertec engines for 2001, will remain in Italy and under the control of Gian Carlo Minardi.

Two Minardi mechanics hit by their own drivers during pit stops at Indianapolis on Sunday were not seriously injured, the team said. Refueller Sandro Parrini and frontwheel man Riccardo Pozzati were struck by drivers Gaston Mazzacane and Marc Gene in separate incidents.

Ater a check-up at the circuit's medical centre both were diagnosed with badly bruised ankles.

Soccer: The England shirt worn by Geoff Hurst when he scored his hat-trick in the 1966 World Cup final is to be auctioned in London tomorrow. The red number 10 shirt worn by the striker against Germany is expected to fetch between £20,000 and £30,000.

It is one of 129 lots put up for sale by Hurst himself, who said: "It was always my intention to leave the collection to my children, but I have three daughters so how do you split it up fairly?

"They have selected some special items they want to keep and we have also kept some pieces for the grandchildren. But I have already lost a significant proportion of the collection in two burglaries, so it is all kept locked away now and no one can see it.

"I am as patriotic as the next man and will cherish my footballing days but at this stage in my life I would like to have some control over the distribution of the collection."

The sale is expected to raise around £180,000 in total. Another item up for sale is his blue 1966 World Cup international cap, which is expected to fetch between £15,000 and £20,000.

Golf: Headfort assistant Gordon Smyth outshot twice Irish champion Martin Sludds over the back nine at Elm Park yesterday to take the professionals' third place in the All-Ireland finals of the PGA Tankard Competitions.

Both players shared level par 69 with Smyth back in 33 to grab a place in the national deciders with Eddie Doyle and Damien McGrane at Portmarnock on October 10th. There was also a tie for third place in the women's section with Tullamore 27-handicapper Mary Murray out-shooting Wendy Moriarity from Grange over the last three holes to book a trip to Portmarnock.