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   82023
   We propose to crown our semi-annual ASCA monitoring program of the
   touchstone colliding-wind 7.94-year binary star WR140 (WC7+O) with a
   detailed series of ASCA observations just prior to the 2001.14
   periastron passage. Because of the high eccentricity, both emission and
   absorption are predicted to evolve very rapidly near periastron. A long
   look with ASCA provides the first chance ever to observe in detail the
   change in L_{x} and N_{H} to allow critical tests of numerical
   hydrodynamic models. Of particular interest is to determine whether
   therapid changes seen in the X-ray flux from Eta Car near its putative
   ``periastron passage'' are also seen in WR 140.
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