It's a tough question really.....which is the better series; Formula 1 or NASCAR?

Certainly NASCAR is the more competitive with a dozen (or more) drivers capable of winning on any given weekend, whereas Formula 1 is the leader when it comes to techno-wizardry, but which is better? NASCAR fans will say that F1 is boring due to the lack of passing while the F1 nuts will argue that at least the drivers know how to turn right.

The only comparison we've had was when Montoya and Gordan swapped cars at Indy a few years ago....and both were awed by each so that doesn't prove much.

I must admit to missing Atlanta last weekend as I was in Melbourne for the opening F1 race (but fear not, I taped the race and watched it when I got home). This puts me in a rather unique position....Sonoma is still very fresh in my mind so I can compare the paddocks of both from a fan's perspective....NASCAR wins hands down for the merchandise. However, due to the F1 not being in Europe, the transporters weren't there so that's not a very fair comparison either.

So let's move onto what your general admission tickets allows you to do....Albert park is a fair bit bigger than Sonoma so obviously you can do more walking. Both won't let you into the pitlane unless you have the right ticket which leaves the support races really. They use the same pits for the support races at Sonoma but don't for the F1....I was able to freely walk around the area where the V8 utes (pickups for my North American friends) were situated. There were more things going on over the course of the weekend for F1, yet NASCAR tries to make up for that by staying true to how America gets portrayed; big, bold and brash.

So the question remains....which is better?

Neither.

Both were outstanding in their own right and I enjoyed F1 more for the sole reason of going with a few of my friends from Uni (whereas I did Sonoma solo) yet the main event was less exciting than NASCAR.

So to all those people who argue about it; just take a step back and appreciate the fact that the only things in common they have are four tyres and V8 engines....if you don't like one, don't bother bleating about how rubbish it is. Chances are if you tried to get into it (one race doesn't count....try half a season at the very least and you'll have to at least try to get into it rather than just watch) you might find yourself wondering why you were complaining in the first place.

Oh, an early tip for you....Jimmie and Fernando will back up this year in both ;)

Well, I guess I'll start with the basics; I'm an Aussie who has spent the last 4 years in New Zealand (so does that make me a traitor? I doubt it since I'll support Aussie over NZ all the time, lol)

I got into NASCAR when I bit the bullet and bought Sky TV for the house and it is my second true love (the first being F1). Favourite driver is Kasey Kahne and I was fortunate enough to go to Sonoma for the '06 race and see NASCAR up close....and wasn't disappointed.

I plan to move from NZ to North America (Canada hopefully) some time in the near future and look forward to watching the races on the Sunday rather than early Monday when I'm either getting ready for work or already at work, lol