Maybe The Frogs Aren't So Bad

On Saturday, ten or so of the best drivers in the world competed in the 2005 Race of Champions in Paris. The event was held in the Stade de France, where construction crews created the two-lane asphalt circuit atop the soccer field. Among the drivers were British Rally champ Colin McRae and NASCAR god Jeff Gordon.

The competition was of the one-on-one round-robin variety, with every driver completing four laps around the track in three different vehicles; rally cars, a modified F1, and some other combination I have never seen. The ROC is a true test of a driver's mettle. The person who wins it is generally considered the best driver on Earth.

Unless, of course, you get the screw-gee.

Jeff Gordon advanced to the semi-finals, where he faced Scandinavian Tom Kristensen. The two approached the start line, and when the green flag fell, Gordon's transmission failed. Kristensen took off while Jeff frantically tried to fix his gear box. By the time he got his vehicle moving, the race was over. The ROC broadcast team mentioned that the rules allow for a re-run if there is a mechanical problem before a car passes the start line, but the jackass officials disagreed, and the race was declared legal. Gordon, class guy that he is, blamed no one and took the loss in stride.

The Parisians in the stands did not.

After it was announced that the race result would stand, ear-shattering boos and whistles rained down from on high. Gordon, an American, got screwed, and the French race fans knew it. Maybe they're not so bad after all.