Canadian Open-Wheel Motorsport is Under Siege
What a week to be a Canadian open-wheel motorsport fan. Paul Tracy's antics, both embarrassing for many Canadians off the track and proudly heroic on, are yesterday's news compared to the F1 hysteria surrounding a supposed end to the Montreal Grand Prix.
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| Throughout the season, Torontonian Paul Tracy has been vocalizing his mind at every opportunity. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press) |
Only a week after Torontonian Paul Tracy annihilated all competition in Vancouver's Molson Indy, doing his talking on the track while never shutting up off of it, he locked it up on the first lap of Road Atlanta, punting himself into the tire wall to end his race. What could be worse? Archrival Bruno Junqueira not only grabs championship points for pole, but maintains the lead spot right to the end of the abbreviated race to claim his first victory of the year, vaulting him into first place in the driver's standings in the process.
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| Only a week after winning the Vancouver Molson Indy, Paul Tracy was out in the first lap of Road Atlanta, leaving the race win and championship lead to Bruno Junqueira. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press) |
While only two points ahead of Tracy going into Mid-Ohio this Friday, Bruno could only muster 11th on the grid after the first day of qualifying, while Paul took P1, guaranteeing himself a berth on the front row while snagging an important point for the championship. After an exciting run on Saturday, PT upped his time to claim pole again giving him another championship point, placing him just one behind Junqueira. The Brazilian was left whining in 6th - well, we didn't actually see him whining but he does so often it is a given - which will no doubt have him tearing up the track today.