Vaillant vs. Valiant

CANBERRA –I recently caught the Portuguese round of the WTCC. I immediately noticed that there was something a little bit different about this race meeting. As it turned out, Alain Menu wasn’t driving his usual factory-backed liveried Chevy Cruze; he was driving a Vaillante race car as Michel Vaillant! But, who is Michel Vaillant?

I didn’t know and the Eurosport commentator Martin Haven alongside 3x BTCC title winner Matt Neal, stated that he didn’t think many fans of the English speaking world would get the reference. However, to me personally, there seemed to be something awfully familiar to what this was all about. And just like Scanner of Computer Warriors did while attempting to peer beyond the bit-stream, I sat there and pondered; “I wonder…”.

After a little research, it soon became apparent why I had I thought I had seen this all before; in 1991 a series aired on TV called ‘Heroes on Hot Wheels’, which was an Americanized version of a French cartoon called Michel Vaillant. In this cartoon, "Michael Valiant"and the family company; Vaillante competed successfully in many different categories of motorsports defeating the baddies as they went, saving the world one race at a time. 

Hot Wheels released toys with each of the VHS titles, including this little piece called ‘Speed Shark’ that I remember being in my collection as a child.

Michel Vaillant was Alain Menu’s childhood hero as he read the comic books growing up and in a fairy tale ending of the reverse grid race 2; Menu won by some considerable margin. He even cut and dyed his hair to look more like the comic book character himself. All the effort involved for this presentation is for the promotion of a new Michel Vaillant series that will debut in November.

Alain is currently sitting 3rd in the World Touring Car Championship, after team mates; Yvan Muller and Rob Huff.

The next race will be the inaugural United States meeting at Sonoma Raceway, California on September 21-23. The WTCC is said to be working closely with the USTCC, in an attempt to develop the series and help the format gain more prominence in North America.

NSCS: Not the Last Air-Bender

MICHIGAN -The recent repaving of the speedway, situated not too far from Detroit, has seen the ‘groove’ of the track narrow to such an extent; making passing a renewed challenge. Jimmie Johnson used the air, to pass Brad Keselowski with 10 laps to go, pulling an ‘Aero Push-to-Pass’ move. However shortly thereafter, his engine breaks down, in a spate of valve-train failures among Hendrick supplied units. Tony Stewart was also a victim, losing a cylinder; his team able to re-field the car some 22 laps down, though later being forced to retire for not making the prescribed minimum speed. Four Hendrick Chevrolet engines in total ‘laid down’ over the race weekend.

Marcos Ambrose of Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) put in a sterling performance, making a Top 5, in a bid to avoid a ‘one-trick pony’ road course type-cast reputation. Australian fans in particular, wondering if he will make the Chase.

Sam Hornish Jr. received much love from the ESPN desk for finishing within the Top 20 after pulling a double-duty drive, making the trip across the border from the NNS race to fulfil possibly temporary commitments for Roger Penske.

Joey Logano, struggling to find grip off the groove, slapped the wall multiple times, thus severely compromising his prospects of a good finish.

Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) along with Mark Martin in the Aarons Toyota Camry nearly stole the show, almost running away with the race, leading an outstanding number of laps prior to a severe accident, ending abruptly into a wall on pit lane. The speedway is now in the process of reviewing the wall arrangements for future races.

Martin Truex Jr. of New Jersey, MWR’s other driver, in the long-time sponsored Napa Auto Parts car; didn’t quite match the performance of his veteran team mate, respectably rounded out the Top 10.

It was to be Greg Biffle and his Ford engined 3M ride to take the chequered. Jack Roush, the ‘cat in the hat’ himself, stating after the race; that the engines were fast and durable.

Biffle now leads the pre-Chase championship points table.

Next up is the IRWIN TOOLS Night Race August 25.

NNS: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE -More Bad News

Trouble afoot: shoe thrown onto track by unknown assailant, causes Danica Patrick, whom I’ve heard been referred to as ‘Princess Sparkle Pony’ before (Youtube comment –go figure); sound a bit more like a ‘Princess Sparkle Pony’.

In all seriousness and with all due respect to Patrick, her moments of brilliance have been overshadowed by an unfortunate and unforgiving run of bad luck this season; it would seem even at this race, she would not yet catch a break. 

Rumours see Patrick being groomed for a Cup ride next season; but many wonder if this is being rushed and whether that would be detrimental to her development, such as what one could argue for the case of Joey Logano in the Joe Gibbs Racing Home Depot Toyota.

This post was due to go out yesterday, but was purposely postponed after the tragic news of Tony Scott, Director of 'Days of Thunder's death.

NNS: NAPA AUTO PARTS 200 presented by Dodge

MONTREAL -In the distant echoes of his father’s victory decades before and on the track that bears his name; Jacque Villeneuve, in the factory-backed liveried Challenger, running on empty, a road course ringer, a mercenary; who drove the whole race like a man possessed by the devil; perhaps found himself, a Green-White-Chequered too far… Justin Allgaier in the Brandt Chevy Impala stated in victory lane; “God is great”.

The NASCAR Nationwide series road course double-header conclusion lived up to its own past, bringing fans an action packed finish that threw up two G-W-C cycles. Fuel economy became of chief importance as teams on two-stop strategies attempted to stretch their Sunoco reserves until the finish line.

There was some tension in the build-up to this race as Jacque Villeneuve appeared to have taken out competitor Danica Patrick at their previous road course meeting earlier in the season, which severely affected her scoring capability. This issue was further compounded by the fact that Villeneuve and Patrick qualified next to each other on the grid. However, they made it through turn 1 without incident and had no major contact throughout the race. Villeneuve, did however, live up to his reputation; when he dumped Alex Tagliani in return for some aggressive driving he performed off a previous restart that gained him the lead,  Tagliani finished 22nd. Mechanical issues brought about by Patrick running over a shoe that was thrown onto the track, saw her fall out of contention; adding to the recent run of bad luck she's had this season. She finished 27^th and Villeneuve 3^rd.

Sam Hornish Jr. finished a respectable 2nd place, though he was disappointed as he felt the Alliance Insurance Penske Dodge Challenger was good for a race victory. Hornish also races for Penske at the cup level, since A. J. Allmendinger was suspended for testing positive for an illicit substance –Adderall. Whether Hornish will remain in that seat next season, is still unconfirmed.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. continues to rapidly improve his road course craft, with the help of Ford at Roush-Fenway Racing; nearly finishing second before an unforced error caused him to spin while chasing down Villeneuve in the closing stages of the race. He eventually finished 12^th. His mentor Billy Johnson finished 8^th after showing signs of a possible 2^nd place or better, during the closing stages.

The fierce road course racer, Kyle Busch’s first owner/driver victory eluded him again, finishing 10^th. Ron Fellows was unable to become the first-time repeat winner, finishing 5^th. Elliot Saddler finished 4^th. Austin Dillion, 9^th.

The next race will be the Food City 250 at the Bristol speedway on August 18.