Despite his undying devotion to all things CART, you do have to admit
that Ed Donath and his website - www.deepthrottle.com - do have a
sense of humor!

Just check this out:

http://www.deepthrottle.com/Donath/new_chapter.shtml

or read it here:

"Keeping It Off the Wall
by Ed Donath

A New Chapter

12/17/03

ATHENS, NY - "Hello again Champ Car racing fans... Todd Wickerbill
here welcoming you to another edition of Way Behind the Scenes in
CART. It’s true that we might be changing the name of our program
pretty soon but for now, anyway, I think long-time fans remember who
we are.

"You know, now that the Butcher of Baghdad has been found, the
most-asked question in the world is: ‘Where the heck are the Champ
Cars hiding?’

"Well, I’m very happy to inform you that, as we speak, plans for the
2004 Champ Car World Series are finally being made by the partnership
consisting of three prominent current CART team owners who formed a
company known as Open Wheel Racing Series about five months ago.

"While CART itself appears headed for bankruptcy, the OWRS guys will
most likely purchase its important assets - including agreements with
various popular racing venues - that would enable the new company to
run a somewhat scaled-back schedule featuring ’03-spec Champ Cars.

"But let me tell you folks... the business end of this deal is
extremely complicated! That’s why we’ve brought our resident expert,
J. Paul Gurney Flapp, in to clarify things for us. Welcome, JP."

"It’s good to be here with you, Todd. If you and the audience will
just follow along with me, I’m sure that the mysterious ramifications
of the latest OWRS strategy will become crystal clear."

"OK, lay it on us, JP."

"Well, Todd, essentially CART has announced that the latest agreement
would allow OWRS to purchase the assets of CART, Inc. needed to
operate the Champ Car World Series and the Toyota Atlantic ladder
series and, if this transaction can be completed, OWRS intends to do
exactly that. Are you with me so far, Todd?"

"So far, so good, JP."

"Now then, Todd, the total consideration that will be paid if the
agreement is completed is $3 million... less $1.5 million in 2003
prize money to teams not affiliated with OWRS; which is an obligation
of CART that would also be assumed by OWRS. However, OWRS has
indicated that only teams racing in the 2004 Championship need apply
for back prize money."

"So what will the holders of CART stock be getting if the new deal is
approved?"

"Significantly less than the 50-cents-a-share that was proffered by
OWRS in its original offer to purchase back in August... which was
later amended to and accepted by the CART Board at 56-cents-a-share.
Either of those deals might have amounted to around $15 million - a
huge per-share loss for most MPH shareholders. But the latest
agreement amounts to merely a dime on the dollar as compared to the
original deal."

"Very interesting JP... and here’s what outgoing CART CEO Chris Pook
says about the new arrangement... I quote:

"‘We are very disappointed that the conditions of the merger could not
be satisfied. We nevertheless believe this new transaction is CART’s
best available option, and we intend to move forward diligently and
promptly.’"

"Well, Todd, it should be noted that the agreement requires CART to
commence a case under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Such a
filing will include a motion asking the Bankruptcy Court to approve
the sale of CART's assets pursuant to the agreement. If the Court
approves, CART will then continue to operate its business as a
debtor-in-possession during the court supervised sales process."

"That certainly would represent a ‘new chapter’ in the Champ Car
Company Saga [chuckle], JP."

"Yes, it would, Todd. And one additional point of interest: OWRS - not
CART - revealed that it had appointed Richard P. Eidswick as the CEO
overseeing the transition through the Chapter 11 bankruptcy
proceedings. So, at least in my mind, the plot continues to thicken."

"Thanks, JP. Well, a cliffhanger like this one is probably the ideal
moment in broadcasting to take a commercial break. On the other side
we’ll be taking viewer phone calls on the subject: Which concert act
would get you to buy tickets to a Champ Car race?

"Hey, don’t touch those remotes folks, Way Behind will be right
back..."



("Which concert act would get you to buy tickets to a Champ Car race?"
- Hilarious! BWAAAAAAAAAA-HAAAAAAAAAAA-HAAAAAAAAAAAAA! You gotta' just
LOVE it!)