Still no official official confirmation, but everyone's best guess is that the Edmonton Grand Prix will retain its date in the new consolidated Champ Car / IRL calendar. Edmonton has carried the torch from the defunct Vancouver Indy by offering a runway course rather than public street circuit and now represents the lone Canadian race.
We here at B-F are also waiting to see Paul Tracy's plans for the season. He's on the outs for now, but by the time July rolls around there could be a few driver sackings opening up an opportunity to race at home. Consider how his traditional physical disadvantage - his weight - is going to be evened out in the new regime:
Added to the cars is a paddle shifting mechanism that allows a driver to keep both hands on the steering wheel. The IRL also has instituted a minimum weight rule that prevents lighter drivers from gaining a competitive advantage, particularly on road courses and street circuits.
Drivers will be put in three groups by weight. Drivers in the lightest group will have weight added to their cars. Series officials will not announce when weigh-ins will be held -- or how much drivers weigh -- to prevent crash dieting.
No other Canucks on the tour this year, although the Edmonton race weekend also features the NASCAR Canadian Tire series, where the absolutely sick ex-Champ Car driver Andrew Ranger will attempt to defend his rookie title. If I had to put money on a Canadian to finally break through in NASCAR, the sky's the limit for Ranger.
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