This is the Statt Mann, Baby. It’s time to Scatt a Little Bit…

Some mixed emotions this week. First the elation of seeing Jari-Matti Latvala get his first World Rally championship win on asphalt. He’d looked at it as a skill that had eluded his driver’s tool box. But not anymore. The above photo is him winning in Finland.

Latvala can win the world rally championship but he must continue beating his teammate and defending champion Sebastien Ogier and that includes Spain in three weeks. The roads there are gr  avel and asphalt, a good test for both drivers.

There’s some difficulty over the tragic accident in Japan that severely injured French F1 driver Jules Bianchi.  You could argue the track wasn’t fit for racing when Bianchi’s Marussia aquaplaned off the course into a rescue vehicle that was there trying to remove another car that had gone off in the same corner. The race was red flagged after that. Bianchi had emergency surgery for head injuries. His condition is unknown at this writing.

I’d never talked with Bianchi but no one should be forced to compete in conditions that aren’t safe. A discussion for another time perhaps.

Finally, relief Saturday night that Sean Rayhall was treated and released after an accident at the end of Petit LeMans. Rayhall was put in an ambulance that creeped off the track. You couldn’t tell if haste was unnecessary or not needed.

The Freaks met Rayhall in Austin two weeks ago. A cool kid. I’m sure I join you in relief that he’s OK after a hard hit in the dark at Road Atlanta.

It’s a tough sport to follow.

Peace.