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Picture this completely hypothetical scenario...
Nameless Fujitsu Driver (NFD) has been cruising up to the back of Morris for the last two laps... He gets a tow going down Conrod Straight, but as they approach The Chase Morris positions his car on the inside to defend... NFD turns in on a wider line to get a good run - he does... He goes around the final part of The Chase on the outside and as they approach the braking zone for Murrays Corner, NFD is halfway up the inside of Morris... Morris brakes ridiculously late and pulls clear under brakes - but it's too late and he runs wide on the exit... This gives NFD a great opportunity as he gets a run on Morris down the main straight and moves to the inside... They are side-by-side under brakes, however NFD has track position... Morris attempts to drive around the outside of Hell Corner - it is never going to work and he drifts wide, the two touch at the exit, pushing Morris wider and his right side wheels run through the gravel as he loses the place...
Aggrieved at the small contact, Paul's red mist descends... He brakes later than NFD at Griffins Bend, and gets a better exit... He brakes later again at The Cutting and gives the rear a tap... Morris gets a good run out of the cutting and, armed with his "rubbin's racin', payback's a *****, it should be ok to turn someone around, red mist" attitude, shoves the front of his car up the inside as NFD turns into Reid Park... Morris's front makes contact with the right rear of NFD... NFD's car spins and makes heavy contact with the right side wall... Morris continues, as NFD's car bounces off the wall and rolls back into the middle of the track, on the other side of a completely blind crest, as cars approach at racing speed...
What happens next?
Does Paul care? Or is he just glad that he got his revenge? Could there be a criminal case if it was determined that Paul acted deliberately and caused a situation where a fellow competitor was hurt, or worse? Would Paul's attitude be the same if he ever looked like racing for something more than his own interest (ie. a championship or even a race win) these days? Did he enjoyed being punched by Tony Longhurst? Does anyone else find it ironic that Morris once carried 'Diet' Coke sponsorship?
Having said all that... I like and respect Paul. He adds colour, variety and a sense of humour to a sometimes boring paddock... I just disagree vehemently with his take on this.
There needs to be regulation - and it needs to be applied with common sense. We cannot have a free for all - go and watch the Toronto Indycar race from a couple of weekends ago to see what happens when there is no regulation. It was an absolute disaster.
Australians, perhaps moreso than Americans, expect sporting integrity - and (by and large) Australian racing fans are cultured enough to appreciate a quality piece of racing over a driver punting a rival out of the way to take the position.
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