TRACK: I went to Toronto for Saturday. I've been to street circuits before: twice to Montreal in the early 80's, Detroit when they ran F1 downtown, and the first Meadowlands event. My feelings haven't changed. For practice and qualifying, general admission is adequate. It affords some interesting and fun spots to watch the cars. But, I wouldn't want to watch the race without good grandstand seats. The exact opposite of what I would do at a road course. If you do go to Toronto, make sure you spend some time at Thunder Alley. There is nothing like actually feeling the speed of these cars blasting down Lake Shore Boulevard.

RACE: This was an interesting race from the perspective that it started out as a real snoozer. The leader took off, and except for some early position changes, nothing was going on. Then, everything started to happen in the last quarter of the race that made this quite a thriller. Climaxed by once again another mind blowing Zanardi pass.

ZANARDI: Just imagine this scenario: There's Frank Williams sitting down with the tele tuned to the CART race, and a copy of his latest proposal to Alex Zanardi in his hands. Williams, contemplating his next negotiating tactic, looks up and sees Zanardi pull yet another impossible pass late in the race, against Andretti of all drivers. Williams realizes that all his bargaining chips are rapidly disappearing. He adds another zero and rings up Zanardi's agent...

ANDRETTI: It's one thing for Zanardi to intimidate and surprise Herta. But this is Michael Andretti we're talking about! My jaw is still on the ground.

FRANCHITTI: Have you ever seen a more emotionally devastating spin before? Barry Green: "I feel like jumping off the CN Tower."

VASSER: Damnit Jim, go right! No, not left, RIGHT!

DE FERRAN: If Gil hadn't dropped out due to damage running over Christain Fittipaldi's tire, he should have been penalized anyway. The tire was clearly within Fittipaldi's pit box, and it was de Ferran's responsibility to avoid it.

KANAAN: A solid run by Tony, until, oops.

SALLES: Should have cleaned his car real good before he drove it. There must have been some Vitolo germs still on it...

HEARN: I'm beginning to believe that Richie Hearn needs a teammate. For a young driver with a new young team to go it alone is asking too much. Hearn has the talent. No question about it. But to go to the next level, he needs a teammate to help exchange information, testing, and support.

TEAM RAHAL: Best effort this season. Solid performance from Bobby, and Bryan did exceptional when you consider he prefers high speed road courses.

TRACY: Well, Paul didn't disappoint us, even if it took the last few laps to do so. However, I don't know whether this one was Tracy's fault. If he locked them up because he went in too far, then yes. But, if he locked them up because Fernandez moved over on him, which is what appeared to happen, then Adrian has to take the brunt of the blame.

QUOTE OF THE WEEKEND: Greg Moore on his problems early in the race: "...somewhere around lap 25 or 30, the popoff valve broke. Once that happened, we had no boost and no power. It was worse than driving a Toyota."

SCHEDULE: What better way to spend my birthday then sit back on the couch, feet up on the coffee table, drink in hand, watching the Champ Cars go 220 mph for over three hours? Pass the chips, please.

Deep Throttle

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