It's been a long winter, waiting for the 2006 F1 racing season to begin, but the fun finally starts in Bahrain this weekend. For once, no one can predict a winner because of extensive rule changes that include, among others, a switch from 3-liter V-10 engines to 2.4-liter V-8s. There is also a new, though complicated, qualifying system that, if it works, should be much more entertaining than the old one-car-at-a-time method. No need for you to be confused, though. Just click on this TSN article. It explains the changes and their racing potential in a few brief paragraphs. I'd be even more excited if I could persuade my brand new DVD recorder to actually record something; here on the Pacific coast Saturday's qualifying and Sunday's race both go live on TV at 3 AM.