Just an FYI article that I thought touched some of the right bases for me. The author is Pete Pistone and I really have to agree with that first paragraph"

Formula Done

One reason NASCAR's popularity keeps climbing is the incredible stupidity displayed by most other auto racing entities. While the NASCAR machine keeps rolling forward, it seems any other racing on wheels is on a mission of self-destruction.

The split in American open wheel racing, the division in sports car competition, short track racing mismanagement...you name the racing and it has problems.

But what happened Sunday in the United States Grand Prix takes the cake. The boycott by Michelin Formula One teams, which left a six car field to take the green flag, was the most embarassing thing to happen to auto racing since Jason Priestley worked ABC's booth for IRL telecasts.

When the tire problems first surfaced, there should have been an immediate leap into action to find a way of either fixing the problem or coming up with a short-term solution to at least get through the weekend. But rather than installing a chicane to slow cars down through the final corner or allowing teams to change tires after qualifying, which is forbidden by Formula One rules, the high and mighty Formula One brigade did nothing.

Don't blame the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the debacle. Speedway President Joie Chitwood and his staff were never once involved in the decision-making process.

"We were aware that Michelin had submitted a letter to the FIA last night around 10pm," Chitwood said. "This morning there were rumors that something was going to occur. We were not aware of what was going to happen on the grid today."

No, rather than working with the tire manufacturer and the governing body, Chitwood and the IMS staff were forced to witness the unbelievable as the fourteen Michelin-clad cars were parked after Sunday's warm-up lap.

As the crowd sat and watched, it finally began to sink in. The self-proclaimed best drivers in the world were staging a walk out, leaving a grid that wouldn't have been enough to run a heat race at your local short track let alone a world championship grand prix.

Boos, profanities, water bottles and other garbage began flying from the grandstand. A stampede of fans headed to the IMS ticket windows demanding a refund. And all Chitwood and his staff could do is try and pick up the pieces left behind by their world class visitors.

"We'll be evaluating our position on what's going to happen in the future," Chitwood said.

My guess is that you can kiss the United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway good-bye. Attendance has been on the wane since the event was first staged six years ago. And this latest farce will be the final nail in the egotistical Bernie Ecclestone's U.S. plans.

The F-1 czar showed his class earlier in the week when the topic of Danica Patrick came up.

"I think she should be dressed in white like all domestic appliances," the F-1 impresario commented.

Bravo Bernie. In only six months, you have already claimed the 2005 trophy for "RacingOne Jerk of the Year" for those comments alone

Sunday's deal at Indianapolis may be good enough to have already earned you the 2006 award.

I don't know about the bike thing either but given the right equipment in both series, I think there have been several with the talent. And I would never even try to pick the best of all time in GP racing.......just way too many and some of the greatest were never champs, ala Moss and Gurney. But what do I know? I may be the last Taffy Von Tripps fan left in the world!

Spaw