Canada off the 2004 Formula One Calendar: It happened to Belgium and now it's happening to Montreal. Anti-tobacco legislation is driving F1 of its traditional stronghold markets. The hubris displayed by the controller of the sport, Bernard Ecclestone, looks like it might send F1 's popularity in Europe down the crapper, especially with his constant threats to the British GP.
The Belgian government is scrambling to get SPA back on the F1 schedule. But with the Canadian government not batting an eye as the Players racing program is shut down, ending a driver development program that has produced the likes of Jacques Villeneuve and Patrick Carpentier. So hopes for the future of the Canadian Grand Prix look rather dim.
So the question is, do you know of anyone who started smoking because of a logo on a race car?
posted by Space Coyote to other at 06:16 PM - 10 comments
Giguere wins Conn Smythe playoff MVP trophy:: And the New Jersey fans show about as much class as Celtics' fans when they booed him during the announcement. For that little display I hope the Devils never win another Stanley Cup. Incidentally he's the first losing player to win the award since Ron Hextall in 1987.
posted by Space Coyote to hockey at 10:22 PM - 17 comments
Alex Zanardi finishes what he started.: After shaking down a specially-modified Champ Car at this weekend's German 500 (pics: 1, 2), former CART and F1 driver Alex Zanardi is about to run the 13 laps remaining after his horrific accident two years ago that cost him both his legs. His subsequent recovery has been more than anyone could have expected. Though a return to racing at that level is out of the question, he's trying to convince Mario Andretti to run teh Daytona 24 Hours with him. Truly inspirational.
posted by Space Coyote to other at 08:34 AM - 2 comments
When obsolete rules raise their ugly heads.: Today's F1 Brazilian Grand Prix saw what would have been the highly-regarded veteran racer Giancarlo Fisichella's first win, made all the more impressive since he was driving for the underdog Jordan team. However the race was stopped after a bad crash that ended the race, and while Fisi had taken the lead from McLaren's Kimi Raikonnen the previous lap, the F1 rules state that, on a red flag, the race order is taken from two laps previous. [more inside]
posted by Space Coyote to other at 07:02 PM - 7 comments