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.