GM starts ad blitz for new F1 team

[ZoWie]

This is the first year for General Motors' new F1 team, which uses the Cadillac brand. GM, which used to be proud of its lack of a racing program, is now going full speed ahead with just that.

Bet you didn't know that Cadillac already makes one of the world's fastest road cars, since they don't advertise it. Oh, maybe billionaires get stuff in the mail, don't know. Like most supercars, they aren't advertised to the likes of us lowly peons. They run it at Le Mans every year. Like most of these GT toys that sell maybe 20 cars a year, they tend to cost just a little less than airplanes, and they go faster on the ground. Cadillac at least used to offer a driver's class, and those who passed got a key to unlock the system that allowed the car to go 250 MPH. Presumably, this is like owning an America's Cup yacht.

The F1 car, which is new this year, is currently on display in Times Square. Must be the first time ever that an F1 team rated an ad blitz in that tourist Mecca.

[ZoWie]

The Cadillac F1 car unveiled to a giant fanfare of canned trumpet music in the dead of night last night, to an absolutely packed Duffy Square (the uptown part of Times Square, where the red steps are). It is obvious that Formula One is going to be big in the US. Probably a little too big, given what happens when corporations see marketing tie-ins in anything good. I'd hate to read coverage of races that's like the Super Bowl, where the game is something of an afterthought.

[ZoWie]

Apple's betting big bucks on F1. They've bought exclusive US TV rights for the next 5 years. You will need a smart TV, and also have to give another $13 a month to the oligarchy, if you want to see it in this country. I'm undecided on this. We paid for the Dodgers, but this is getting out of hand. I can see the future from here. Super Bowl... ka-ching. College playoffs... ka-ching. NBA... ka-ching.

Maybe it's time to say "enough" and give up what used to come for no extra charge with basic cable. We all spend too little time reading books and discussing issues with friends.