RACE: A typical wild Surfer's Paradise race.

TRACK: Figure out a way to deal with the chicane curbing, and this track, already the best street circuit on the schedule, will be almost perfect.

THE BIG PICTURE: Surfer's is now even bigger than the Melbourne F1 race, becoming the largest sporting event in Australia. Like Long Beach, this is a perfect example of how a city and the race series feed off of each other to the benefit of both. No wonder they are now looking at extending the contract once again for another five years into 2013. And, no wonder the promoters of Las Vegas and Phoenix were in town to get some pointers.

START: Bogus.

TV: They could not possibly have missed more action and key moments if they tried.

PHILIPPE: Two years ago, Nelson winning a race would have been a shock. Last year, it would have been a surprise. This year, it was expected with the way he was performing.

BOURDAIS: Say what you want about Sebastien, but unlike Tracy, he knows how to win championships (this race's mistake not withstanding). Three times.

DOMINGUEZ: Is Mario really a lot better than many want to credit him for? In most cases, he outperforms expectations no matter what team he is on.

ROCKETSPORTS: Congratulations, Paul. We didn't think Dominguez would make a difference for your team. We were wrong.

TAGLIANI: Provided a consolation prize for Team Australia.

POWER: If this were NASCAR, the local boy makes good in front of home crowd story would have enabled Will to win. But, it wasn't, and he didn't.

TRACY: Gee, Paul ran right into another completely innocent victim. We're shocked. Simply stunned...

RANGER: Aggressive at times, Andrew ended up a fine fifth.

JUNQUEIRA: Another uninspired drive for Bruno.

WIRTH: The slowest driver out there, but Andreas was simply seeking experience. Keeping out of trouble allowed him to finish the race in the top ten.

PIZZONIA: Bad signaling from his team cost Antonio a better position.

BRISCOE: Ryan had moments for his home crowd.

WILSON: Just goes to show how bizarre racing is. Legge had an horrendous crash at Road America, and walks away with bruising. Justin has seemingly an innocent altercation and breaks his wrist.

RUSPORT: Seems to be cursed to being just a one-car team.

SERVIA: Nearly took out Philippe in reverse fashion to what happened in Toronto.

LEGGE: Katherine is back healthy and going off multiple times on her own.

ALLMENDINGER: Did not drive like a champion. But, did act like a champion afterwards.

FORSYTHE: That was one big cluster---- on the first pit stop.

CLARKE: Speedy Dan reverted back to Crashing Dan.

WORD OF THE WEEKEND: Crikey!

STAT OF THE WEEKEND: 16 -- It's been mentioned numerous times. Sixteen years and 16 different winners. Every year this streak gets extended, the more amazing it becomes.

HISTORICAL STAT OF THE WEEKEND: Will Power's pole was the first for an Australian since Geoff Brabham did it at Riverside in 1981. Despite an excellent record in all fields of the sport, that was the only Champ Car pole Brabham won, and he never won a race in 87 starts.

QUOTE OF THE WEEKEND: Team Australia's owner, Craig Gore, going ballistic after his driver Will Power got knocked out of the race, "He's [Bourdais] won it three times in a row, but the first two were against a fairly depleted field. I mean he really only had to beat Paul Tracy, and Paul Tracy crashes."

QUOTE OF THE WEEKEND RUNNERUP: Paul Tracy on differences in support, "In Canada, the fans like to drink beer and go to sleep. In Australia, they like to drink beer and fight."

SCHEDULE: One last time to run the Lolas. Drivers, no need to save them!

Copyright © 2006 by Deep Throttle. All Rights Reserved.