For this Canadian, a dedicated F1 fan since the 50s, the news that the Canadian Grand Prix is no longer on the calendar is sad, indeed. Montreal's mayor has announced that a sponsor could not be found, while the three levels of government were unable to pledge sufficient funds to satisfy F1 czar Bernie Ecclestone. Yet in a way, the cancellation is symbolic of what's happening in motorsport everywhere. Racing has become inordinately expensive for a variety of reasons and when a recession hits, sponsor support quickly disappears into a quagmire of shrinking ad budgets. Already there are hints that the Chinese Grand Prix might be canceled after 2009 due to lack of fan support. That doesn't mean Chinese race enthusiasts don't care for F1; they blame it on high ticket prices. Blame that on the high cost of Grand Prix racing. Back in America NASCAR has lost primary sponsor Eastman Kodak, while, facing possible bankruptcy, the GM/Ford/Chrysler triumvirate will certainly reduce their race budgets or possibly withdraw altogether, leaving Toyota as the only supplier of race cars. Or perhaps I should say "the only supplier of stick-on decals to simulate a grille and headlights." In the long run reducing the cost of racing can only be a good thing, especially for those of us who love the sport.