2007 Toronto Thoughts
EVENT: Something negative is happening to the Toronto event, but we can't put our finger on the reason.
THE BIG PICTURE: Toronto cannot be allowed to wither away. It is much, much too important of an event for the Champ Car World Series. This is one event whose budget cannot be skimped on.
TRACK: Even with the new paving in certain sections, many of the drivers still call it the toughest street circuit on the schedule.
RACE: One of the best Champ Car races ever.
START: And then there were 12.
POWER: Class of the field when it counted.
TEAM AUSTRALIA: They may have to rename themselves Team Canada.
JANI: Neel is starting to get the hang of this.
PKV: At the rate they're going, they may actually win a race this year.
WILSON: Once again, so close yet so far.
PAGENAUD: Ditto.
JUNQUEIRA: Bruno had a great car in the dry. However, he looked lost in the wet.
DOORNBOS: Robert, Robert, Robert...
MINARDI: Paul Stoddart, isn't Champ Car a heck of a lot more fun than F1?
DALZIEL: So close to a breakthrough performance. What a second, that was a breakthrough performance!
TAGLIANI: Once again, Alex can't buy a break.
BOURDAIS: More of a sport this time. Now, we get to see what Sebastien is really made of.
SERVIA: Super start. Super run ... in the dry. Oriol very likely had this race won until the rains came.
RAHAL: Graham seemed to be going along for a ride, siting back, saving his push-to-pass, waiting for the final run at the end. Unfortunately, he didn't make it that far.
CLARKE: Some real ballsy moves in Turn 3, braking late and hard ... once a bit too late. Then, a real bonehead move keeping the dry tires on.
HEYLEN: Innocent victim. Again.
TRACY: Street sweeper.
GOMMENDY: Air France.
LEGGE: A terrible shame for Katherine. She had a strong car and seemed to be getting a handle on the tough track as fourth best in Sunday warm up attests. And then, through no fault of her, she doesn't complete a single lap.
FIGGE: The second time a last place finish was not his doing.
ATLANTIC: Wildest race of the year after the most acrimonious qualifying of the year.
QUESTIONABLE CALLS: All of the non-calls in the Atlantic Saturday qualifying session.
WORD OF THE WEEKEND: Wild.
STAT OF THE WEEKEND: 5 -- The number of cars eliminated on the first lap and the number of the winning car.
HISTORICAL STAT OF THE WEEKEND: For the first time in Toronto history, a non-Canadian or American won the Atlantic race. The first winner in 1990 was Freddy Rhemrev.
QUOTE OF THE WEEKEND: When Bourdais' wrecked car was being taken away by a tow hook, a fan shouted, "Throw it away!"
QUOTE OF THE WEEKEND RUNNERUP: Will Power on his strategy on moving up through the field on the wet restarts, "It's just about being aggressive at the right time without hitting anyone." Hmm, a lesson for a few drivers in Champ Car...
SCHEDULE: Edmonton -- the third installment of the Canadian Triple Crown, and possible now the biggest race in Canada.
Copyright © 2007 by Deep Throttle. All Rights Reserved.
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