Full Throttle

Just after the FIAsco at Indy and the pseudo Formula One event, Champ Car announced they would honor Indy F1 tickets at their next event. Immediately all the “what ifs” raced through my mind. The most glaring was what if the 1000 or so that availed themselves of this offer needed their ticket stubs for a refund or enterence to next years F1 event at Indy?

If may be three weeks late but a couple local Indy shysters are thinking along the same lines, although being the legal sharks they are, it deals with potential lawsuits and Michelin blood in the water.

Henry Price, an Indianapolis attorney seeking to lead a class-action suit over the boycott, said those 100,000 who attended the race June 19 are entitled to much more than the $75-$150 ticket price.

Michelin last week offered to refund money to those who bought race tickets and buy 20,000 tickets for those wanting to return for the 2006 race.

But Price said fans could cost themselves additional compensation if they accept that offer.

“Michelin could take the position that it’s a settlement, and anyone who did that would give up the rest of their rights,” Price said.

I couldn’t agree more. There is little doubt in my mind the motivation behind Michelin’s offer of refunding ticket costs originated in their legal department. There are damn few companies in the automotive business that haven’t had their asses handed to them over product liability suits, they are masters of this type of litigation.

What’s that old saying? “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.” Add to that don’t throw away your F1 ticket stubs. I also wonder how many enterprising members of the Indy cleanup crew are now in possession of tickets that were tossed away in disgust?