While I’m still bummed over this year’s cancellation of the Dakar Rally, I’m certainly NOT as “PEEVED OFF” as Robby “Dirtmann” Gourdoun is…
As the headline reads; “Gordon angered over cancellation,” to which he has every right to be, especially after having spent $4.5 million and six months preparing for this years contest. And the always brash, outspoken Gordoun did not disappoint us, with his comments towards LA.
“Let's put this in perspective: I'm pretty sure in L.A. we kill 11 a night on the streets — stabbed, shot, beat up, murdered."
(So, I guess its only fitting that the radio is blaring’ out that ‘80’s hit “NOBODY Walks in LA!” while I’m scribbling this story.)
Meanwhile, while reading an old Formula 1 book in-between testing blasts of the buildings fire alarm system. (SHEISA!!! Nice way to jump start your morning, eh?) I just discovered that the 1976 Argentine Grand Prix was cancelled due to Political unrest…
A little further digging revealed that the 1930 and 1933 German Grand Prix’s scheduled for the Nurburgring were cancelled due to Germany’s economic plight, while the 1949 Monaco Grand Prix was cancelled due to Prince Louis II’s death.
The Belgian GrandPrix was held hostage by Emperor Bernardo, when the country instituted its Tobacco advertising ban prior to the European Union’s deadline and subsequently lost their 2003 event. Returning to the calendar in 2004, a further two races were held at the legendary Spa Francorchamps circuit before the event was cancelled for 2006 due to the circuit being deemed to not meet FIA safety standards, as construction work would not be finished in time to host that year’s event. Fortunately the race returned in 2007.
The next victim to fall foul of Ecclestone’s hatchet was the San Marino Grand Prix which quietly disappeared from the 2007 F1 calendar upon being excluded the previous August. Sadly, the San Marino Grand Prix will most likely be remembered for Black Sunday, the weekend that Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna perished at the IMola circuit in 1994.
Also, it’s interesting how the post two race nations Italy and Germany have lost events, along with Japan now swapping venues while Spain and the Middle East have each added events. And then there’s the United States Grand Prix, but I digress…
