we got 'er

no harm no foul

I am talking of course, about Katherine Legge joining PKV racing on a full time basis for the 2006 season. Is this the biggest thing to happen to the series in years? yes, potentially. This could be huge or it could be buried into irrelevance. They have to market her as much as possible. There is no doubt in that. the series needs exposure and she's the person to bring it. I know its a shame because its only because she's a woman, but i'm not in control of society's mores. She needs to be on the front of every media event guide and I'm pretty sure she will be. She needs to be interviewed after every race, despite her finishing position. We bitch and complained last year when ABC and the IRL did the same with Danica. but whether we liked it or not, it worked. that's the bottom line. We might get sick of Katherine after a while, seeing her everywhere and hearing her soundbites after every session. We will judge her with the utmost expectation because we want to make sure she deserves to be there and not because she's a woman. Of course, Legge has a "leg up" having won three times last year.
One thing that I believe will be different from the Danicamania is that Katherine has a very pleasant attitude and a very nice smile. I know that may seem somewhat sexist and "who cares what they look like", but the fact is, if you hear and see someone on television all over the weekend, you can get sick of them. But if they are pleasant and smiling and in good cheer, its much easier to tolerate.
That was my issue and still is with Danica. I don't remember when the last time she smiled. I don't remember the last time I heard something pleasant come out of her mouth. talent for talent, Katherine is likely the better driver. But that will hardly matter if she doesn't get the results in 2006. It got annoying last year when Danica finished 15th on average and then her soundbite was bitter and she look unpleased and unhappy. I don't expect a driver to smile much after finishing 15th. but if I have to see the same person interviewed after every race and they are always in a bad mood and unpleasant to look at, it gets tiring quickly.
Katherine is such a sweetheart, she is such a nice person and that will shine through to the media. that, in my opinion is the biggest difference between Danica and Katherine. Despite being from a foreign country, Katherine will win the American media over with her personality (hopefully some damn good results too)!

oh, and it probably didn't get the attention it deserves and was overshadowed by another person signing to join the Champ Car World Series, but let it be known that I, Eric Gagnon, have also signed a contract to be part of the 2006 ChampCar World Series. It probably wasn't as lucrative as Katherine's contract, but I am set to return to the series as the announcer for the 2006 campaign. No way am I getting off this horse just as its starting to take the lead!

see you in Long Beach.