Earlier this week, the latest issue of one of my U.S. racing publications arrived just as I was leaving for the horse track. Between races, I found myself reading letters from Formula One fans who were complaining about the lack of competition in the pinnacle of motor sports. We have all seen this before--fans worried about one team and one driver running away with the series, leaving the fans a bit bored with the action from one race to the next. Hard core Formula One fans dismiss the complainers as ignorant sub-humans too stupid to enjoy the Formula One experience.

I began thinking about this issue as I sat at the horse track surrounded by another breed of racing fans. I am sure some lunatic was drawn to this particular track because of the danger associated with horse racing. A few others were there to enjoy the spectacle of the event with its colors, gorgeous animals, and popular jockeys. The overwhelming majority of the fans were there to gamble; they are drawn to the track day after day for the thrill of having a real financial stake in the outcome of every race. It is unthinkable for a race track promoter to sell tickets without the attraction of gambling. Open the track one day and forbid betting, and the place would be empty by the fourth race. Very simply, the racing experience for these fans is more than slightly embellished by the gaming aspects of the action.

There may be a lesson here for all auto racing fans. The past week, Atlas Team brought us the odds (via Intertops) for individual drivers winning the European Grand Prix. In different parts of the world, Formula One may attract the gambler's money, but it is a low-key non-focus of the sport. I suggest to you that Formula One could become infinitely more exciting to the fans if the gaming aspects were promoted by the sport's administration.

I personally dream of a day next month when I show up on Saturday for qualifying with a 6:1 bet that Schumacher gets the pole. I have a 3:1 bet that both Forti teammates will make the field. I have the under that the pole winner will beat one minute, twelve seconds. I have Herbert plus one second to beat Frentzen in the qualifying session. I have a 2:1 beat that a Ferrari will make the front row. Finally, I have a Hill-Villeneuve exacta at 3:1. You may sit next to me watching qualifying, but my guess is that I am far more interested in the outcome of the session.

Race day would be even more exciting for the gambler. Obviously, I would have a few bets on who wins the race, maybe a 100-1 shot on Mika Salo. How about a Hill-Schumacher-Irvine trifecta paying 85-1? A few 1-2 exactas, an Alesi-Hill quinella, and an over on 12 or more cars finishing the race should keep my interest peaked until the end. With a little luck, my entire race weekend could end up being totally free!

Sports gambling personalizes the event. Many fans get some thrill purchasing Formula One merchandise and walking around as if they are part of the show. In my vision of the Formula One track of the future, the popular junk merchandise tents be situated next to tote boards and pay windows--I know where my money would be spent.

For reasons I will never understand, DON'T BET ON IT!