Don’t be fooled by the word “loss” in the title.  In a sport where loss too often implies a death, I’m talking about someone who walked away – long before retirement.

Juan Pablo Montoya is as happy and honest a racing drive as you will ever meet.  Just follow his Twitter entries and a family-oriented fun-seeking personality is revealed in a way watching the fierce racer on the track never could be.  In some respects, that’s a personality that no longer fits the overly political and commercial world of Formula 1.

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He came into F1 following meteoric successes in the US.  In his first season as a CART driver for Ganassi (1999), Montoya won the championship, taking 7 wins in the 20-race series.  The following year he won the biggest race in the world – the Indy 500.  The Williams team brought him into F1 in 2001 and his impact was immediate, managing to win a race in his first season and always being car to watch on the track.

Montoya had a flair for the biggest races in F1 and the Italian, British and Monaco being among the races he won during his five full season in the sport’s premier series.  When it was clear Williams didn’t have the car to take him to a World Championship Juan Pablo moved to McLaren for 2005.  While this gave him a better car, it also thrust him into a controlled and hyper-political environment that his personality was ill-suited to.

Even before the start of the 2006 season Montoya knew that Fernando Alonso would be joining the team and he probably saw that the team was likely to focus on the multiple champion to his detriment.  It’s understandable that McLaren would sign Alonso, but Montoya felt slighted, feeling he was a better bet to deliver the Championship for the team.  The atmosphere in the team was poisoned and that was never a sustainable environment for Montoya.

With no other Championship winning cars available, Juan Pablo took Chip Ganassi’s offer to move to NASCAR.  It’s no surprise that Alonso only lasted one season with McLaren – politics also playing a huge part in his departure.

It’s taken a while for Montoya to truly blossom in the US series, but he’s now one of the top drivers and poised for a run at this year’s Sprint Cup.  NASCAR is a more open and less political environment and it’s no surprise that one of the best drivers in the world is flourishing.

He’s been a top contender in every series he’s raced in and there is little doubt that he’s happier now than he ever was in F1.  Juan Pablo Montoya would have been a worthy and great World Champion, if F1 had been able to keep him.  It’s easily the biggest loss of the decade to F1.

Montoya Tweeted recently that he’d received a call from Frank Williams.  It was a social call and he made sure to say he was not considering a F1 return but for those who know Frank Williams, this said more about Montoya than at first read.  In Frank Williams’ 40 years in the sport he has above all appreciated a driver – someone willing to go all-out and fight for whatever the car could deliver.  It’s absolutely no surprise that he would keep in touch with Montoya – the very sprit of what he appreciated in a driver.

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Michael Schumacher is coming back to Formula One, replacing the injured Felipe Massa at Ferrari for as long as he’s needed.  Interesting.  Exciting?  A return to the bad old days? Predictable?  I think all of the above.

As long as he passes some final medical tests, some of the newer drivers, like Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, will have their first chance to race against the legend that is Mick the Cobbler, but some of the established drivers must be shaking their heads and thinking, “I thought we were rid of him.”  Love him or hate him, expect a lot to be written about Michael over the next four weeks.

We’re being fed daily updates on his preparation – so far a test of a 2007 car, some karting and some weight loss – and the media blitz we can expect in the days leading up to Valencia will probably be unprecedented.  I’m sure Bernie Ecclestone is rubbing his hands together and counting the piles of cash.

The last time someone made a high profile short-term substitution for Ferrari was when Mario Andretti made a comeback at Monza in 1982 – replacing the badly injured Didier Pironi.  Andretti put the red car on pole in front of a hysterical crowd and finished 3rd in the race.  Those were the days when F1 was more about passion than cash though.  I’m not saying die-hard Ferrari fans won’t be passionate about the return, but Schumacher’s manager is undoubtedly busy cutting merchandising deals as I write.

Commercial considerations aside, sporting comebacks, even by superstars, are seldom as successful as anticipated.  Michael Jordan’s first comeback would be the exception, but his second proved the rule conclusively.  Michael Schumacher is more than capable of returning to the sharp end of the grid quickly but as he steps into a car that’s been getting faster and faster over the last few races we should spare a thought for another great driver and another passionate crowd.

Lost in the frenzy of Schumacher’s return is the fact that Fernando Alonso is being denied the opportunity of racing in front of his adoring home crowd.  It’s no fault of Alonso’s that Renault are banned from the Valencia race (the team failed to secure a wheel during a pit stop and it came off – a safety issue).  Having battled with a recalcitrant car all year a good race there would have gone a long way to making a trying season memorable, but that chance looks like being denied the driver who inherited Schumacher’s crown as the best in the business.

I’m sure the Valencia organizers are happy knowing that Schumacher will be in their race, but the fans would prefer Alonso.

I was a bit too small to ride any of the coasters; however I was able to drive an old Model T Ford. So I could drive a car at eight, but I couldn’t sit in a roller coaster. Go figure.

I remember my mother screaming at me as I hit the sides of the middle track with the wheels. Interestingly enough, I could hear the same types of sounds coming from all the cars on that ride.

Even today, at 31 years old, I still get a thrill out of these rides. I guess as we get older, it’s a way of clinging to our youth, while having the ability to drive recklessly, especially considering all the other adults are telling their kids to relax, they’ll get their turn to drive eventually.

And so, in the event that I do get to experiment in some more raceways around the world, I have found some raceways that will satisfy the need.

Autopia-For Fun

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 In 1955, Autopia was an example of the multilane limited-access highways which were still being developed.  Before the park initially opened, the cars were tested without their rubberized bumpers.  This is course resulted in some major collisions, although that was the fun part of the initial test drive. The cars at Autopia were eventually fashioned with rubber bumpers, and a guard rail was put in place to discourage reckless driving. What’s the fun in that!

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Over the years, Autopia was updated using the very latest is fashionable vehicles including a 1967 Corvette Stingray, a Volkswagen Bug, “Dusty, an off-road style car; Sparky, a sports car; and Suzy. Each was designed to be tied into the Chevron line of animated ‘Chevron Cars‘, and 4 versions of the Autopia cars were sold as toys during the 2000 summer season at Chevron stations nationwide.”

 Indianapolis Motor Speedway

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The list would not be complete without the most famous of international raceways. Indianapolis Motor Raceway has been existence since 1909. This particular raceway has united people all over the country, filling the stands with close to 700,000 people during racing season. This of course is in addition to the fact it’s also the largest sports facility in the world.”By comparison, the world’s largest stadium seats 220,000 spectators.”

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To think, it all started with 7 motorcycle races, “sanctioned by the Federation of American Motorcyclists (FAM), on August 14, 1909.” Unfortunately, the race never occurred due to safety issues with the track surface.

The first official races began in 1909, and consisted of 16 races “endorsed by the American Automobile Association (AAA).”  The safety of the surface was again in question when several accidents, resulting in five fatalities occurred, and the final race of the weekend was halted after 235 miles.

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On Memorial Day in 1911, at $1 admission, the first 500 mile race was hosted now known as the Indianapolis 500. “Ray Harroun won at the brisk average speed of 74.602 mph (120.060 km/h).”The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” was born.”

Daytona International Speedway

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From personal experience, on race day at Daytona International Speedway, there are drones of street racers edging up on your backside at every traffic light. It’s a time of excitement for the town, and it’s chance for me to drive my lotus like automobile 80mph next to a police officer and not get a ticket.

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Daytona International Speedway opened officially in 1959; “it has been the home to the biggest race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, “The Great American Race”, the Daytona 500.”

The speedway is quite versatile, hosting races of all kinds including go-karts, motorcycles (on and off road), sports cars, modified pickup trucks, and stock cars.

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Making history on September 26 and 27, 2006, the IRL held a compatibility test at the Daytona speedway. “The drivers who tested at the track were Vitor Meira, 2006 Indy 500 Champion Sam Hornish Jr., Tony Kanaan, Scott Dixon, and 2005 Indy 500 and IndyCar Series champion Dan Wheldon. This marked the first time since 1959 that IndyCars and the first time since 1984 that open wheel cars have taken to the track at Daytona.”

Autodromo Nazionale Monza

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Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

The Autodromo Nazionale Monza is located near the town of Monza, Italy, north of Milan. “It is one of the most historic motor racing circuits in the world, known for hosting the Formula One Italian Grand Prix.” The racers endure a long stretch of flat track until the gradual incline from the second Lesmos to the Variante Ascari.

The Autodromo Nazionale Monza consists of three circuits including “the 5.793 km Grand Prix track, the 2.405 km Junior track and a decaying 4.25 km high speed track with steep bankings.”

The first circuit was constructed in 1922, financed by the Milan Automobile Club – “which created the Società Incremento Automobilismo e Sport (SISA) to run the track.” The track was officially opened in September 1922.

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In 1928, the most severe Italian racing accident to date ended in the death of driver Emilio Materassi and 27 spectators at that year’s Grand Prix.

Drivers in the Formula 1 category must possess extreme skills in maneuvering the treacherous corners and chicanes. “Power is the key for speed on the straights, only competitors with enough power at their disposal are able to challenge for the top places.”

Autobahn

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Possibly one of the most well know and last on our list is the Autobahn. The German Autobahn is a major high speed highway located in Germany where the main attraction is the lack of speed limit guidelines. Drivers are encouraged to maintain minimum speeds of 37mph; however drivers never adhere to these recommendations.

The initial plan was conceived by the Weimar Republic, but apart from the AVUS in Berlin, construction was slow, and the Autobahn remained unfinished with the start of World War II.

However, when Adolf Hitler took control, he was more than willing to assume the title of Project Manager, maintaining construction crews for the completion of the Highway system.

Today, Germany’s autobahn system has a total length of about 12,200 km, “which ranks as the third-longest in the world behind the Interstate Highway System of the United States and the National Trunk Highway System (NTHS) of the People’s Republic of China.”

Nurburgring

In the early 1920s, races  were held on public roads in the Eifel mountains, however this prooved to be highly dangerous so a plan to build a track was proposed. “The layout of the circuit in the mountains was similar to the Targa Florio, one of the most important motor races at that time. The original Nürburgring was meant to be a showcase for German automotive engineering and racing talent, and was built with both purposes in mind.”

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Over the years, Nurburgring has earned a reputation for being one of the most challenging and dangerous tracks in the world. Known as “THE RING” to racing fans, this spectacular track is situated near the medieval castle of Nurburg in the Eifel.

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Nurburgring is often used as a test track for new high performance vehicles including such makes as  BMW, Porsche, Ferrari, and many other’s. Often times, you can find video footage of the testing, enticing consumers to investigate further the abilities of these impressive cars.

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When Reggie was a little boy, he used to fantasize about riding motorbikes. He became interested in bikes at age five or six. When he grew older, he said that his parents helped him buy a dirt-bike around age 10.

Reggie got into a bad accident on Memorial Day weekend in 1978. He was only 14 years of age. Reggie was bored and went to a dirt-bike track next to a railroad yard where it was dangerous. He tried to climb some tall boxcars and there was an electrical wire overhead. 13,000 volts of electricity struck Reggie. There was an electrical field around the wire and the wire somehow struck him. It was a miracle of God that Reggie survived. God has blessed him to be able to motorbike race, which is what Reggie loves to do.

Today, it is said that Reggie travels around the country visiting high schools and rehab centers. He tells his story to young people about his accident. Reggie has a great story to tell that I am sure will encourage disabled people as well not to let being disabled get the best of them.

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Camel Racing

Arab Nations have a rich history of camel racing but after world-wide condemnation towards their use of small young boys as young as 4 years old to be the jockeys, Dubai switched to using small robots as the Jockey.

Miniature Chariot Horse Racing
Miniature horses hooked to miniature chariots with a miniature jockey in a young kid. Kids racing miniature horses and chariots. To see some pics of Kids racing miniature horses and miniature chariots check out this page.

This picture is of a miniature horse and chariot during a parade in Jerome Idaho 2007.

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Lawnmower racing

Lawnmower racing is so popular it even has it’s own video game.

The stock classes are pretty darn slow but in the modified classes these riding lawnmowers can get some speed. To learn more about the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association or to find a listing of sanctioned events check out the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association web page.

Unicycle Racing

With a wide range of events including a 10 kilometer marathon Unicyclist racers have to be crazy. As if riding a unicycle is easy much less adding a competitive flair to the sport by a multitude of racing events. Check out the official USA Unicycling Racing Web Site.

Semi Truck Drifting

You’ve seen the movie Fast and The Furious:Tokyo Drift. You know that drifting is a lot of fun to watch. You know that drifting makes a lot of money for the Goodyear tire company. Did you know a few people drift semi trucks. Its got to be expensive on the tires and gas.

Antique Tractor Pulls

With events held all over the United States with many different associations there is bound to be an antique tractor pull near you. Antique tractor pull associations generally sanction and promote events:

• To help preserve a piece of history
• To have a fun time
• To raise Money for Charities

Trailer races

At circle tracks around the country promoters are turning to trailer races to help get new spectators to the race track. After all the racing is done for the evening they pull out the trailers and hook them onto cars. Camp trailers,boat trailers,horse trailers and any other toe of trailer they can come up with.

The cars with the attached trailers begin racing around the track. Generally the rule is to knock the crap out of your opponents trailer. Last trailer standing wins. Who actually cares who wins. Spectators just want to see the destruction.

The trailer race is the last race of the night. It may take 3-4 days just to pick up the mess around the track.

Porcupine Races

I can’t make this up.
Council Idahos 4th of July celebration feature A Porcupine Races to raise money for charity. Don;t worry no porcupines are harmed. Can’t make that promise for the people involved though. An occasional stray porcupine can send the audience running.

Pics Of Porcupine Racing

Bus Demolition Derby

Take a racetrack. Take a lot of buses and then have them crash into each other as they race around. Hell Yeah!
Youtube Videos Of Bus Demolition Derbys. The first video is of the circle track style bus demolition derby and the second video is of A traditional style bus demolition derby.

Mario Andretti (2-28-1940 – Present)

Mario was the first of the family to get into racing, along with his twin brother Arlo. They knew they wanted to race cars even as young as 5 years old, when they ran around the house using pan lids as steering wheels and saying “Vroom Vroom”. Born in a little village in Italy, the family came to America when that part of the country was conquered by Yugoslavia after WW II. The family settled in Nazareth Penn, with only $125 in their pocket. He became a naturalized citizen in 1964.

If it was a car, and it could be revved up to race… Mario did it. From the time they moved to America, until his retirement in 2?/, he raced through life. He was in Sprint cars, Midget racing, stock car, drag racing, Indy Car racing, and Formula One racing. Mario is one of 3 drivers ever, to win races on paved oval, road course and dirt track… all in 1 season. Mario now has 2 sons and a nephew racing down the same road he did.

Al Unser (5-29-1939 – Present)

Unlike Mario Andretti, even before Al Sr got into racing, the Unser name was a racing name. But Al was the one who made it legendary. Al had a father and 2 uncles who were race drivers. In 1926, they were in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. In 1929 however, he’s uncle Joe was killed while test driving a FWD Coleman Special in Denver. Older brother Jerry was the first Unser to drive in the Indy 500, qualifying 23 rd , but finishing 31 st in 1959. But the following year, Jerry was killed from injuries he got in a crash during practice run.

Brother Bobby drove his first Indy 500 in 1963, and in 1968 was the first Unser to win the 500.

Al started in Indy 1965… And won his first Indy 500 2 years after Bobby, in 1970. He ties with ?? To be a 4-time winner of the Indy 500. The only 2 drivers to do it.

Gary Bettenhausen (10-18-1941 – Present)

Gary is the son of Indy 500 legend, Tony Bettenhausen. Gary began his racing with midgets, and in 1967 finish 3 rd in the midget national point standings. In 1969, he won the first part of the Astro Grand Prix, which was in the Astrodome. In 1967 and 1970, he won the Turkey Night Grand Prix. Gary finally won the Astro Grand Prix in 1972. He has 27 wins in the midget car.

Gary started with Indy Cars from the mid “60″s until 1993. He never won the Indy 500, but he made 21 starts. He contested each one from 1968 to 1982, then again from 1986 to 1993. He’s best finish was in 1980 when he finished 3 rd , from a 32 nd starting point.