Las Vegas

I spent a month there one night.

In my short career with the Champ Car World Series, I’ve had the privilege to be in Las Vegas quite a few times thanks to the old Players guys all residing in Sin City. They live there because of the steady climate and the tax breaks. Yeah, I know.
We toured Pat, Paul and Alex’s homes and did some features for Canadian television. In my early days at Players, there was a contest where the winners got to spend a week in Vegas and we were fortunate enough to be there for filming purposes. I will never forget it because it was my first time with the team and the first event for the winners was a driving lesson at the Derek Daly racing Academy. Well, there were three of us ‘working’ and two people needed to be working that day, one holding the camera and the other person hosting. Since it was my first time, I made no fuss about having to work the camera and saw my partner get to spend the day learning how to drive a formula car. Damn! I passed up the opportunity because I had to film all the people having the time of their lives. But it wasn’t meant to be, though I will never forget it because, well I passed up the opportunity!

I also spent a birthday in Vegas once. And I was there once during Paul Tracy’s birthday. Needless to say, our parties were quite different from one another. His was a big, private, everything on the house, celebrity guests bash at the Rum Jungle. Mine? I remember playing black jack at 4am alone and losing all my money as the numerous drinks were starting to take their toll. Still not sure who had the better party.
As far as night racing is concerned, I am a huge fan. It brings a unique perspective to the event and I think night racing is as important as having ovals in terms of what makes the Champ Car World Series so diverse. We already have one set for next year in Houston, which will be SO interesting. But we have plenty of time to discuss that one in time. This upcoming race will be interesting and my early instincts tell me that Servia may pull out another one and intensify the battle for the championship. At one point, team orders must come into play, despite any denial from the Newman/Haas squad. Servia is a veteran of the series and is the closest he’s ever been and maybe the closest he’ll ever be at the Vanderbilt Cup. Bourdais is the veteran of the team, the driver the team pinned all their hopes on once Junquiera was out of the picture. Servia wants a job next year, so he must play nice, but the burning desire of all drivers is to win that Championship at all cost. Plus, winning a championship pretty much guarantees a ride next year, right? even if its not with your current employers. Ahh, the thrill of racing.