AND YOU THINK GOING TO THE DRAGS IS EXPENSIVE

Months after altering Formula One's rules to counter a slide in television ratings, the sport is considering more changes to boost attendance. F1 races in Australia, Germany, and Italy have had lower crowds this year than last. The biggest decline this season was at Italy's San Marino Grand Prix in April where only 82,000 fans turned up, 23,000 less than last year and down almost 100,000 from the 2000 race.

Experts are blaming much of the decline in attendance on the fact that the cheapest tickets are as much as $150 at some races. Let's see, 82,000 times $150. . . . [7-10-2003]

HOW 'BAD' CAN IT BE?

News out of Hollywoodland is that Centerline Media is in licensing talks with several networks for a television show based on the newly formed auto race league Bad Azz

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Drivers (B.A.D.). Described as the WWE of auto racing, the made-for-TV league will feature pro and semi-pro racers with "outrageous personalities" maneuvering through controlled urban and suburban settings in front of a live audience.

"The street racing that has become so popular is dangerous when done in an uncontrolled environment," said executive producer Andre Jetmir. "We're taking street racing off the streets and creating an environment where souped up every-day cars compete in a real-word, urban environment that will attract crowds to the events and entertain TV audiences across the country."

Hosted by rapper/actor Ice-T, the events will be run on closed courses resembling city streets complete with hazards such as oil slicks, rain showers, downed trees and pot holes. The first race series begins in January 2004 and features three categories, one of which requires three drivers to maintain an average of 95 mph through mock suburban streets for about 20 minutes while a police car is in pursuit.

And this is supposed to discourage street racing how? DRO's Left Coast columnist, Darr Hawthorne, has been assigned to keep us up to speed on this one. [7-10-2003]

A BAD WEEKEND FOR JET CAR DRIVERS

The driver with the perfect name for drag racing, jet-car driver Jett Field of Pocatello, Idaho, was severely injured in an on-track wreck July 5 during a meet at AHRA-sanctioned Spokane Raceway Park in Washington. The crash occurred after the parachutes in his "Jett Force" jet dragster failed at the end of a race with Brad Janisheski.

As of the morning of July 8, Field was reportedly in a coma on life support in the hospital and listed in critical condition with brain swelling and slightly improving vital signs.

In another report, Bob Motz driving his 220-mph jet-powered Kenworth truck survived a top end crash after his chutes came off at the end of his exhibition run at IHRA-sanctioned Thompson Drag Raceway in Ohio. The Kenworth sustained major damage while, fortunately, Motz walked away without injuries. Motz is reported to be getting a back-up truck ready for his August bookings. [7-8-2003]