SHANGHAI, Sept 18, 2007 (AFP) - The former chief of Shanghai's Formula One motor racing track and a key figure in bringing F1 to China has gone on trial for embezzling public funds, state press reported Tuesday.

Yu Zhifei, 54, was charged with stealing 1.05 million yuan (around 140,000 dollars) to pay off personal debts and buy a house, the official Xinhua news agency said.

The Intermediate People's Court in Wuhu city in east China's Anhui Province had yet to pronounce a verdict.

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium, Sept 16, 2007 (AFP) - Formula One driver David Coulthard has spoken of his sadness over the tragic news that former world rally champion Colin McRae has been killed in a helicopter crash.

McRae, 39, was piloting the helicopter carrying his five-year-old son Johnny, a six-year-old friend Ben Porcelli and 27-year-old family friend Graeme Duncan which crashed in the grounds of his Lanark home in southern Scotland on Saturday.

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium, Sept 14, 2007 (AFP) - Ron Dennis has dismissed the possibility that the record 100-million-dollar fine imposed on his team by the International Motoring Federation (FIA) for spying on the Ferrari team will cripple them financially.

The fine, part of the punishment for McLaren's role in the 'Spygate' drama, will be partially offset by the prize money the team has won so far this season, thought to be around the 50 million dollar mark.

MONZA, Italy, Sept 9, 2007 (AFP) - McLaren team boss Ron Dennis has hit back at Italian prosecutors' decision to serve the team legal writs at the paddock prior to qualifying for Sunday's Formula One Grand Grand Prix in Monza.

Spain's double world champion Fernando Alonso secured pole position for McLaren ahead of championship-leading teammate Lewis Hamilton on Saturday, but their joy was tempered by the earlier arrival of police.

ROME, Sept 8, 2007 (AFP) - McLaren Formula One team boss, Ron Dennis, whose team faces allegations of illegally obtaining technical information on rivals Ferrari, is being investigated by the Italian judicial authorities, the Italian news agency ANSA reported Saturday.

Dennis was expected to be notified Saturday at the Monza circuit of the investigation by the prosecutor of Modena, in northern Italy.

MONZA, Italy, Sept 6, 2007 (AFP) - The McLaren-Mercedes Formula One team has been fined 50,000 dollars by motor sport's ruling body (FIA) for failing to crash test a new gear box prior to Fernando Alonso's victory in Hungary.

A source from the sports governing body said Thursday the team had been fined because it had broken FIA rules.

A car which has passed regulatory tests prior to the start of the season must carry out new crash tests each time a major new part is put in the car.

TOKYO, Sept 4, 2007 (AFP) - Nissan Motor Co., suffering from a profit slump, said Tuesday it would revive the position of chief financial officer after a four-year gap, bringing in the head of Renault's Formula One team.

Japan's third-largest automaker last year recorded its first drop in net profit under legendary chief executive Carlos Ghosn, who was the first foreigner to head a major Japanese company.

OSAKA, Japan, Aug 17, 2007 (AFP) - Poland kept their finals hopes alive on Friday as they outgunned world champions Russia in the World Grand Grand Prix women's volleyball tournament.

The Polish women, who failed to reach the knock-out round at the world championships last year, overcame a deficit in every set to pull off an upset 25-21, 25-19, 28-26 victory.

Poland's captain Dorota Swieniewicz attributed their success to coach Marco Bonitta, who has overhauled the team's training, physical preparation and tactics.

TOKYO, Aug 5, 2007 (AFP) - Newcomers Kazakhstan enjoyed their first win in the series when they edged past the Dominican Republic in the World Grand Grand Prix women's volleyball tournament on Sunday.

The Kazakh women, who made their Grand Grand Prix debut this week, edged the final set after it was poised at 13-13 to score a 25-19, 25-23, 21-25, 21-25, 15-13 victory in one hour 52 minutes.

'Today's match was very difficult, because the level of the two teams are almost the same,' said captain Yelena Pavlova, who became Kazakhstan's top scorer winning 26 points.

PARIS, July 27, 2007 (AFP) - Valencia and Singapore will host grand prix for the first time next season but missing from the 2008 Formula One calendar released by the FIA Friday is Indianapolis.

The streets of Valencia will play host to the European Grand Prix on August 24 with the urban circuit also passing by the city's port used for this year's America's Cup.

The Spanish leg of the season is awaiting the FIA's final approval.

F1 2008 calendar

March 16: Australia (Melbourne)

March 23: Malasia (Sepang)

April 6: Bahrain (Sakhir)