Re: Italian Know How v US no how

["chris quan" <chrisquan@domain.elided>]

Michael

First of all. Come down off the roof. It's going to be alright. Now, could 
you please provide all the relevant facts and statistic when you rant.


Mr. Smith observed:

"By now everyone who is interested will know that the Italians blew the 
Americans out of the water on the Hauraki Gulf in New Zealand.
...America is falling behind... even though an American coached the
Italians, an American helped design their boat, etc etc , the world is 
shrinking and the US is showing signs of withdrawing from the competition.
BTW, the Americans had several "foreigners" on their teams as well,
including a couple of New Zealanders, one a helmsman and another a
strategist.... hmmmm."


Yes, well , and I take the typical American view here. "What's the Americas 
Cup? We've had it how long? Who cares?" To add a little fact to the matter. 
The lead designer of the boat is American and has previously designed the 
Black Magic and America3. What are they you ask? Just the previous two Cup 
winners.

Mr. Smith goes on to provide:

"Ferrari is on top of the Formula One circus with its constructor's title, 
narrowly missing the driver's title with Schumy hitting the wall at 
Silverstone. By comparison, CART is for kids. Formula One drivers clean up 
when they come to CART, the reverse doesn't happen except for one notable 
exception: Jacques Villeneuve proved he can really drive, if he gets a car 
that is strong enough."

Hmmm. Let's see. The Ferrari chassis is designed by an Englishman and 
powered by by an engine designed by a Japanese. The Japanese, Osamu Goto or 
something like that, previously headed Hondas F1 engine program and gave it 
6 championships. As far as F1 drivers cleaning up in CART I can think of 
about 8 who did squat. Two who did/do reasonably well. And two, Emerson 
Fittipaldi and Nigel Mansell, that have gotten championships. Mario Andretti 
is a little odd as first he raced in Indy cars then went to his F1 title and 
then returned to Indy. Danny Sullivan did a few races in F1 and then came to 
Indy cars and later got a championship. I'm sure you are thinking about one 
Michael Andretti and I'm sure he had the first five worst races any F1 
driver has ever had but he did go on to have a 3rd, 5th and 6th in what was 
3/4 of a season. As for Nelson Piquet, 3 time F1 champ, lets forget his 
attempt at the Indianapolis 500.


Mr. Smith continues:

"If a Chevy Tahoe pollutes more and protects its passengers less than an 
ALFA 166 just how does the US government justify excluding the latter? It is 
excluded because although it has adequate crash protection and is clean 
running, no ordinary person can import one."

There are companies, Sun Imports for one, which will import cars which are 
not available in the US but the great cost of doing so will prevent most.

And lastly Mr. Smith expounds:

"Try rolling an SUV or hitting a tree or a bridge and check out the
survivability..."

You got to get out of the snow and get some sun buddy. You been doing that 
stuff with your car?


Chris Quan

88 Alfa Romeo Milano
88 Porsche 944 Turbo S
80 Triumph TR8

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