And so it continues……

UPDATE A reader writes, Just a few comments about the Montreal situation outlined in the "… and so it continues" rumor. First some facts: it was not Normand Legault who saved the Canadian GP, but was instead the 12 million dollars the federal and provincial governments paid Bernie Ecclestone (guised as compensation for lost tobacco sponsorship revenue) which saved it. Without that money, I seriously doubt Legault would have been able to do anything to save the GP.

Second, during the election campaigns for the Montreal mayoral seat last fall, opposition parties revealed that the World Aquatic Championships (FINA) cost the city $40 million in reality, thus ten times greater than the $4 million stated. Creative accounting was used to bring the number disclosed by the mayor after the event.

Finally some internet forum rumors are suggesting that Rocketsports did not make an offer, nor ever even speak to Carpentier. It is being suggested that this was a fabrication on Carpentier’s part to help him get an ARCA or Busch ride, as he sits home currently unemployed.

Just stating some facts (and rumors). Alex Melikian, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

06/03/06 All of this uncertainty about the Champ Car and IRL merger is not helping the Champ Car cause in Montreal. The race organizers here yesterday said they spent most of Friday not promoting their event, but taking media calls dealing with Patrick Carpentier's decision not to run for Rocketsports.

Carpentier was quoted as saying in a French paper yesterday that Rocketsports aren't running well, they're in the back of the grid, and that he had more to lose than gain by running for them. He said further that he had no interest in driving merely to put people in the grandstands, and that he's sure NASCAR is coming to Montreal and he wants to get an ARCA ride this year and a full seat in Busch for next year.

Alan Labrosse was Carpentier's long-time manager, and as the Champ Car race promoter obviously feels stung that his former driver has in effect chosen the enemy's camp, giving Legault another ace. Carpentier defends his decision, saying he doesn't care who the promoter is, he's just looking out for himself.

Normand Legault has huge influence with the mayor. He played a huge role, obviously, in saving F1 here over the tobacco legislation issue a few years ago, then rode to the mayor's rescue last spring to save the embarrassment of Montreal losing the world aquatic championships when the previous head of the organizing committee got way in over his head and was involved in all kinds of shady dealings; this guy took his own life and the mayor called on Legault to go to bat with him, which he did.

The aquatics lost "only" $4 million, not a lot, really, considering the hit the city would have taken in the international sports community which wouldn't have even booked a layover at the airport had the meet fallen through.

So, if any of this is based on political favors owed, NASCAR is in and Champ Car is out.

And so it continues…