The first Formula One world championship race took place at Silverstone race track in Britain in 1950 and was won by Italian Giuseppe Farina, who only just managed to defeat his Argentine team mate Juan Manual Fangio. However, Fangio won the championship five times over the next ten years, earning him the title of "grand master" of Formula One from many motor sport enthusiasts.

During this initial period, Formula One was almost entirely dominated by teams run by car manufacturers, including Ferrari and Mercedes Benz. However, over the next 20 years the sport of Formula One changed dramatically with the introduction of not only engineering innovations such as fuel injection and aluminium chassis but also instances of sponsorship in the sport - the first being when Lotus painted Imperial Tobacco livery on their cars in 1968. Lotus was also the first team to introduce ground effect aerodynamics that helped the cars increase their cornering speeds by providing tremendous down force.

Significant business decisions were made during the 1970s, when a man by the name of Bernie Ecclestone rearranged the way Formula One's commercial rights were managed. Ecclestone gained a seat on the Formula One Constructors Association following his purchase of the Brabham team in 1971, before becoming the president of the association in 1978.

Ecclestone began offering Formula One as a package to circuit owners they could either take or leave, when previously the circuit owners negotiated with the teams individually and controlled the teams' income. In return for this package, almost all circuit owners had to surrender trackside advertising, thus beginning the big money business of Formula One sponsorship that has seen tobacco companies, and consumer finance companies and oil companies among numerous corporate sponsors all spending millions of pounds to have their names and logos on the cars and alongside the racetrack.

Technological advancements continued to be made throughout the late 70's and 80's including the introduction and subsequent banning of turbocharged engines. Perhaps one of the more significant developments were electronic driver aids, with the first active suspension system being used by Lotus in 1982, followed by a progression to semi-automatic gearboxes and traction control. Despite complaints that new technologies were determining the outcome of races more than the drivers' skill, a move to ban the new electronic aids proved fruitless as it was discovered that a ban on such aids was hard to police.

The teams of McLaren and Williams dominated throughout the 80s and into the 90s, with the rivalry between F1 legends Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost capturing fans' attention all over the world until Prost's retirement in 1993. Senna's death during the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994 also made Formula One authorities look more closely at driver safety standards - a move which has ensured no further driver fatalities in the sport since that day.

The dawn of the new millennium was also a new dawn for Formula One as Michael Schumacher, a skilful German driver, began his dominance of the sport, eventually winning an unprecedented five consecutive driver championships with his team, Ferrari, picking up six constructers championships. During this time racing authorities made a number of changes to the rules regarding the qualifying format for races, the points scoring system and more besides. These changes were designed to increase safety and combat the spiralling cost of Formula One.

But, despite worryingly low viewing figures for racing seasons in the early 2000s, the future of the sport looks bright, with Bernie Ecclestone organising a number of races in new countries, expanding Formula One into new areas of the globe and attracting new teams and drivers, all looking to pit their wits against the big boys of the sport.

Most non-racing fans don't associate the rowdy men of NASCAR with the giving spirit that it takes to be involved with charities. Real racing fans know the truth that NASCAR is one of the most giving of all professional sports. The NASCAR Foundation was started in 2006 as a link between the sport and all of the charitable causes supported by its different elements. They support over 30 assorted charities and foundations many of which are run by the drivers, their wives, teams and team owners. Two of the many charities that benefit from its largess are the Victory Junction Gang Camp and Speediatrics.

Victory Junction Gang Camp was founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty in memory of their son, Adam Petty, who was killed in an accident during practice at New Hampshire International Speedway. The idea for the camp was Adam's and it's purpose is to provide a place for terminally ill, and chronically ill children to have a camp experience that otherwise wouldn't be an option due to their illness. The camp has received support from many NASCAR drivers, teams, and sponsors, including Tony Stewart, one of the rowdiest drivers in NASCAR. Tony Stewart has donated well over 2 million dollars to the camp.

Speediatrics was founded by Betty Jane France, wife of the late co-founder, chairman and CEO of NASCAR, Bill France. Speediatrics is a pediatric unit located at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach, FL and Homestead Hospital in Miami, FL. Its cheerful decor is designed to make children feel as comfortable as possible during a hospital stay. The goal of the unit is to allow children to heal in a place that is fun and inviting. The unit's waiting room, nurse's station, walls, patient rooms and playroom are decorated with a NASCAR theme that includes race cars, checkered flags, and cartoon characters named Traxx, Curves, Six-Speed, and Clutch.

The NASCAR Foundation raises money in many different ways and virtually every one of the people associated with the sport contribute. There is an online auction conducted routinely, last year a motorcycle was auctioned off, this year Dodge has donated a 2008 Dodge Challenger painted Petty blue. NASCAR Day is another huge moneymaker, donate $5, you get a pin and participating employers allow you to wear your NASCAR gear to work. There are many more fundraisers including track walks, races, motorcycle rides and sporting events. Beginning in 2008, NASCAR has taken it one step further in an unprecedented move. All drivers fines will go to The NASCAR Foundation, where before the fines went into NASCAR's pocket. Some may say this will encourage drivers to behave badly, but at least someone worthy will benefit.

NASCAR owners, drivers and teams are making a bundle of money nowadays. The NASCAR Foundation, driver foundations and individual NASCAR charities are a way for them to give back to the communities and help out those in need.

Auto racing

DIXON SURVIVES RAIN: At Watkins Glen, N.Y., Scott Dixon won a slippery battle of attrition at Watkins Glen International, holding off Vitor Meira and Ryan Briscoe in a one-lap shootout Sunday to capture the IRL Indy Grand Prix for the second straight year.

The ugly, ever-changing weather -- showers came and went all day and temperatures were in the mid-50s -- made the fifth race of the 14-race IRL season a guessing game right from the start over the 11- turn, 3.4-mile road course.

Arena football

ARENABOWL SET: Joe Hamilton threw four touchdown passes, including two to Javarus Dudley, to help the Orlando Predators beat the Dallas Desperados 45-28 on Sunday and clinch their record seventh berth in the ArenaBowl.
Orlando will play Chicago on June 11 in Las Vegas. The Rush advanced to the title game with a 59-56 win over the San Jose SaberCats on Saturday.

The Predators shut down Dallas quarterback Clint Dolezel, limiting him to one touchdown pass and forcing him into three interceptions. Dolezel, who set a new league single-season record for touchdown passes this year with 105, finished 28-of-48 for 280 yards.

Cycling

ZABRISKIE WINS OPENER: U.S. rider David Zabriskie won the opening prologue at the Dauphine Libere on Sunday, beating 2005 prologue winner George Hincapie in this Tour de France warmup.

Zabriskie, who defeated Lance Armstrong in last year's opening time trial at the Tour, edged Hincapie by almost two seconds over the 2.54 miles. Zabriskie of Team CSC won in 4 minutes, 35.84 seconds. Stuart O'Grady of Australia finished third.

Zabriskie raced last year's Tour with screws in one knee after breaking his leg and wrist when hit by a car in his hometown of Salt Lake City in 2003.

Riley County native Jon McGraw has been selected specical teams captain for the Kansas City Chiefs, coach Herm Edwards announced Wednesday. McGraw joins offensive captain Brian Waters and defensive captain Donnie Edwards. All were selected by player vote.

McGraw joined the Chiefs as an unrestricted free agent from Detroit in March. The former Kansas State defensive back entered the NFL as a second-round pick (57th overall) of the New York Jets in 2002. McGraw has played in 57 regular season games (12 starts).

Auto racing: Gibbs racing makesmove to Toyota for 2008 season
Joe Gibbs Racing spent 16 seasons jockeying for position in the crowded General Motors camp, where three championships in five seasons wasn't enough to move the organization to the front of the pack.

JGR won't have that problem in 2008. The three-car organization will move to Toyotas next season in a switch that will make it the premier team for the Japanese automaker.

"GM's got four really strong teams, and I think it is probably a little more difficult to say who has a leadership role there," team president J.D. Gibbs said Wednesday. "Obviously there are certain things we think we'd like to have a leadership role in."

JGR signed 22-year-old Kyle Busch last month, and is working on contract extensions for two-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin.

Turns out, Stewart isn't going anywhere. He said Wednesday he's working on an extension to stay at Joe Gibbs Racing past 2009.

Football: Former Husker Jacksonlikely to start at RB for Packers

Note to the Green Bay Packers: Please cancel any sort of military aircraft flyover planned for Sunday's pregame ceremonies. Given the likelihood of starting his first game as a rookie, running back Brandon Jackson is having a hard enough time relaxing right now.

"I'm just trying to stay calm now," Jackson, a second-round pick out of Nebraska, said. "I'm very excited now. It's my first game as a rookie, my first home game."

He'll likely be lining up behind Brett Favre for the Packers' season opener against the Eagles.

Todd Collins is the No. 2 quarterback for the Washington Redskins, with Mark Brunell demoted to No. 3.

The news was hardly a surprise, given that Collins has been working with the second-string unit during practice, but coach Joe Gibbs waited until Wednesday to inform his players.

Arkansas State coach Steve Roberts says the Big 12's coordinator of officials has acknowledged that the Indians' recovery of an onside kick was wrongly overturned in the final minute of No. 7 Texas' 21-13 victory.

"We got a confirmation ... (Tuesday) that they missed the call," Roberts said.

General: Shock takes 1-0 leadin WNBA finals without Ford

Plenette Pierson and Kara Braxton combined for 45 points and 22 rebounds to lead the defending champion Detroit Shock to a 108-100 win Wednesday night over the Phoenix Mercury in Game 1 of the WNBA finals at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Detroit took the lead in the best-of-five series despite the absence of All-Star Cheryl Ford, who sat out with a knee injury. It was the highest-scoring game in the history of the finals.

Pierson, who played collegiately at Texas Tech, scored 26 points and hauled in 10 rebounds. Braxton had 19 points and 12 boards.

Four other players scored in double figures for the Shock, who were able to push around the Mercury, who swept their previous two best-of-three playoff series.

Seattle Storm forward Lauren Jackson won the second MVP award of her WNBA career on Wednesday.

Pro wrestler Chris Benoit suffered head trauma from his years in the ring that could help explain why he killed his wife, son and himself, a doctor who studied his brain said Wednesday.

FORZA MOTORSPORT (XBOX) Floor it for the finish line alone or alongside up to seven competitors. More than 230 autos await your command. Support for worldwide leader boards and online car clubs round out the package, with ample customization features an added bonus. $50, xbox.com

ENTHUSIA PROFESSIONAL RACING (PS2) The action's authentic, with a built-in visual gravity system tracking the effects of g-forces on your ride. A career scenario lets wheelmen compete throughout a simulated year, complete with detailed weather effects. $40, www.konami.com
GRAN TURISMO 4 (PS2) More than 700 cars can be driven at hot spots like New York City and Tsukuba Circuit. Cruise the pavement or issue orders to computer-controlled counterparts. Realistic performance and provisions for snapping color photos render this a must-have. $50, playstation.com

NEED FOR SPEED UNDERGROUND 2 (NDS) Pimp an exotic import from spoiler to spinner, then leave opponents eating dust while zooming around late-night cityscapes. Multiple mini-games and customizable decals enhance the proceedings, as does support for four-man showdowns. $40, ea.com

RIDGE RACER (PSP) The finest portable turn-and-burn experience available offers two dozen circuits' worth of high-stakes excitement. Screech through time trials, veer into death-defying drifts, or mash the gas during eight-man wireless multiplayer encounters. It's the ride of your life. $40, namco.com

WATERTOWN, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 5, 1997-- Papyrus Design Group, the motorsports division of Sierra On-Line, Inc., announces it has shipped CART Racing, a re-release of its award-winning IndyCar Racing II.

CART Racing ships with a new 200-page CART Racing Strategy Guide, as well as Rendition Support for the first time. The Strategy Guide, called "Winning," teaches CART Racers how to master the tracks, set up the cars, "psych" the competition, tweak the game and win the CART championship.

As stated by Bob Hollander, President of CART Licensed Products, "as part of our continuing relationship with Papyrus, we're delighted with the new guide and re-release under our corporate brand: CART -- Championship Auto Racing Teams."
As IndyCar Racing II, CART Racing won two CODIE awards: "Best Sports Program" and "Best Simulation Software Program," and was presented with five stars by Computer Gaming World. A CD-ROM for Windows 95, CART Racing closely replicates the experience of CART World Series Championship, with realistic special effects and handling. Officially licensed by CART, the game's 15 tracks accurately represent the 1995 racing season's cars, tracks, drivers, sponsors, trackside scenery and billboards.

CART Racing includes the same features as the award-winning IndyCar II:

-- Enhanced artificial intelligence -- SVGA graphics for detail in 640 x 480 resolution -- Increased frame rate for faster, more realistic graphics -- Modem play for head to head competition -- Digitized, stereo sound effects to simulate engine sounds and

squealing rubber -- Limitless gameplay with practice sessions, paint shop feature, and

detailed customization of cars for each race.

CART Racing carries a suggested retail price of $29.95 and is available at computer stores everywhere or by calling Sierra direct at (800) 757-7707. Papyrus is currently shipping the game with a $10 mail-in rebate.

Papyrus Design Group is a software development division of Sierra On-Line, Inc. Developers of the most compelling software-based racing experiences possible, Papyrus' best-selling products include the NASCAR Racing and CART Racing lines. Upcoming titles include NASCAR Grand National Series Expansion Pack and Grand Prix Legends. Winners of 4 Software Publishers Association CODIE awards, Papyrus has a ten-year reputation for superior use of physics and realism. Located in Watertown, Massachusetts, Papyrus employs 75 artists, engineers and marketing staff. The company's website is located at www.sierra.com/papyrus .

Sierra, located in Bellevue, WA, is one of the original developers and largest worldwide publishers of interactive entertainment and productivity software. In July 1996, Sierra was acquired by CUC International, Inc. (NYSE:CU), a technology-driven retail and membership services company that provides access to travel, shopping, auto, dining, home improvement, financial and other services to more than 70 million consumers worldwide. Sierra is part of CUC Software, an operating unit that consolidates the sales, manufacturing, finance, accounting and management of CUC International's software divisions.

Championship Auto Racing Teams is a 19-race series that features open wheel, 850-horsepower race cars that are capable of speed of more than 200 miles an hour. Drivers such as Al Unser Jr., Bobby Rahal, Paul Tracy, Alex Zanardi, and Christian Fittipaldi race on ovals, road courses and temporary street courses in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Japan, and Australia. -0-

Sierra press releases are available on the Internet, via the Sierra Web at http://www.sierra.com

Talk of the Team Racing Auto Circuit has fueled many rumors in racing circles for the last year or so, and a tentative game plan for the new stock car league at last was announced May 15 in Charlotte.

TRAC's vision, according to the official news release, is to "provide highly desirable content on tracks and television screens across the U.S." Organizers claim their product will not operate in direct competition with NASCAR but will expand the existing stock car fan base through the introduction of another series.

We don't want to try to position ourselves within the current marketplace and try to steal the existing market share," says Jon Pritchett, president and chief operating officer of Team Sports Entertainment Inc. Its subsidiary, MAXX Motorsports, developed the TRAC concept.

"We think it makes a lot more sense to create our own, and the sky's the limit," Pritchett says. "Our intention is to create a major national television league."

When NASCAR pulled the plug on its broadcast deal with ABC/ESPN and CBS by moving its top series to Fox and NBC last year, it left a major programming void in the sports departments of the abandoned networks. ESPN had invested considerable time and effort in building and supporting the Winston Cup series over the last decade, and the word was that Michael Eisner, chief executive officer of parent company Disney, was not pleased with NASCAR's decision.