Mario Schöne, the n°4 on the all-time IOC-ranking, made the first model car races of his life. He raced a n°45 Kraft Bull's Eyes Ford Taurus, assembled by Ralph Klose. At the Worlds the car was on its way to a certain place in the main final, when technical problems enforced Mario to retire. Although Germany is excluded from participation at next year's Nations Cup, the IMCA stand rules (dating from 1985) state that no IOC-Top-10 racer can ever been withhold from participation at the Worlds. If Ralph Klose can prepare another top model car for Mario, now equipped with the correct tire inscriptions, Germany could be again in at the 2004 Nations Cup after the Matthias Parke disaster.  Pic: Anthony Bithrey.