Jeremy,
Actually I think that it was the lack of US media in this case that led to an interview with the UK speedway motorcycle racer rather than any reference to a "local", let's say US, rally entrant. Let me explain:
Nicky Grist and (?) Mallory are from the UK. They probably know or at least have heard of the speedway motorcycle racer (Paul Richardson?). They, out of their own curiosity and interest, likely thought that he would be a good interview. They likely forgot that the Speed Channel rally viewers, in general, don't have that backgound. My guess is that there was no US producer/director present to act as a sounding board for Grist and Mallory when the interview was suggested.
Someone should merely have looked at the entry list to see that a Canadian team was entered and that possibly viewers in the US may have heard of these people. I doubt that Nicky Grist or (?) have ever heard of Patrick Richard or know of the significance of his entry. Again possibly the lack of US direction.
Also I get the impression that Pat had personal media staff with him. Pat had a great story to tell - first WRC event for him, first for a North American in many years, accident during recce, co-driver injured, new co-driver recruited just days before event, recce not completed, using old notes, and driving with a cast on his hand! Now if that's not a story, then I don't know what one is! Pat's media people should have tracked down the Speed Channel people to get that story told. They would not have been hard to find. They were the ones in the red jackets with the TV cameras.
One final thing, while I'm on this minor rant, during the show there was a reference to Stig Blomqvist, which said that the former winner was in 29th place (at the time I guess.) This made it sound like we should think, "How quaint for the old guy. But 29th place! He should retire." What was not said was that, I believe, he was in the top three in Group N throughout the rally and was more than competitive. He had the potential to win that class. I was somewhat embarassed for him.
All this being said, I like watching the Speed Channel rally shows and have no major complaints. While I enjoy riding my motorcycle, I just don't care for interviews with motorcycle speedway racers at a rally event,when there are more relevant stories to cover. Save that story for Two Wheeled Tuesday.
Steve McKelvie
