Compare to Long Beach CART...(long) (archive)

Yesterday was a good day to compare CART to F1. Both races held on tracks with very limited passing opportunities. I would have to say that the CART race was more entertaining. Maybe it was just the frequency of yellows to rebunch the field but it is also clear that there is much more parity in CART than F1.

I've been a long time F1 fan and part of the attraction is the engineering and innovation that it allows but that same freedom inherently equates to less parity. I love the pre-race tech bits on the BBC or Speed -- the F1 cars and motors are lightyears beyond CART technology and budgets BUT I do agree that the races themselves generally lack excitement. One thing that is attractive vs. CART are that there are a few spectacular tracks the likes of which you'd never see in North America.... e.g. Spa, Silverstone. Also rain always makes for better F1 racing.

I hate to admit it but CART has learned some marketing lessons from NASCAR: enforced technological parity and frequent yellow flags keep the stands full. Also could you imagine Schuey talking to the camera the instant he climbs out of the cockpit after the race the way Micheal A. did yesterday? The CART drivers are certainly a much more media-accessible group. The F1 divas and their snide, smug commentary in the formal post-race conference is often painful to watch. Here's a pitch to Fox: put Schuey on the hot seat with Schrader, Waltrip and the other good 'ol boys on "NASCAR This Week"... ha! I can't imagine a greater contrast!!

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