Basically just a lot of little things that don't really have enough to have a blog bit all to themselves.

Last weekend was clearly a weekend for enormous accidents. The well documented Heikki Kovalienen crah at Barcalona grabbed the headlines for the obvious reason that it was watched by several million. However, he has found himself well and truly trumped by an accident earily reminescent of the back flipping Le Mans Mercedes' of Mark Webber and Peter Dumbreck back in 1999 and Yannick Dalmas similar accident in a Porsche. The place is Monza, the race is a Le Mans Series race. The driver, and eventual passenger, is Stephane Ortelli in a P1 Courage.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=0_yfiE9Esfg>

Only injury was a broken ankle.

And before moving on from big crashs, I think Kovalienen's crash is another  illustration of the improvement of safety equipment in motorsport, coming 14 years to the week after the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.

Now a NASCAR story. It seems Dario's been getting some cheeky advice through bribary. He's managed to get another driver addicted to Dairy Milk chocolate (the company responsible for the Phil-Collins-####-Drum-Advert and an even more fantastic current advert). Being a British brand Dario must have some sort of a monopoly on supply and he's paying another driver for advice in chocolate. There's no word on who the choc-fiend is but I'll put money on Reed Sorenson.

And lastly the newly interesting Indycar Series roars towards the Indy 500. 4 different winners (5 if you include the race at Long Beach) and 39 entries for 33 places in the race. For the first time I can remember I'm actually interested in it beyond seeing the race. If what's already gone on this season is anything to go by it should be a treat. Graham Rahal became the youngest ever winner, Danica finally won something (I don't care less if it was fuel mileage or whether rival were told to let here by), the transition teams aren't doing nearly as badly as they were expected to do on the ovals, signified by Justin Wilson leading a handful of laps and finishing in the top 10 at Kansas. And the month of practice and the qualifying procedure that makes quantum physics look simple, let alone the Daytona Duels, could always throw up suprises and even the playing field.

Of course there'll be no Sam Hornish, if you believe what he says. It's an important move - as he says 'he's a Stock Car driver' - he could have jumped back but he's showing the sort of dedication I've admired in him from day one in NASCAR when it wasn't going very well. He could have gone crying off back to a series where he has the ability to dominate, but he stuck at it.

There are still a number of teams that are TBA, I wonder if anyone has the cash to draft Jacques Villeneuve in for a race. I mean, it's not like he's doing anything.

A 24 Hour Race is a curious beast. Originally (in Le Mans' case) intended as somewhere for manufacturers to showcase the reliability of their road cars, they have become a thing of myth. From Le Mans a handful have sprung up for varying classes of car, European examples being at the German Nurburgring, Spa in Belguim and Silverstone in the UK. But Le Mans remains the undisputed king. Every June a who's who of motorsport turn up to close a motorway in france, Formula 1 drivers, Rally drivers, Retired Alpine skiers, with some of the most advance technology in the world from the biggest companies - Audi, Peugeot, Porsche, Ferrari, Corvette, Aston Martin - as well as some well respected private teams and chassis builders - Pescarolo, Pilbeam, Courage, Radical. And Le Mans rightfully holds this crown.

But I think I've found a rival. The Rolex 24 hours at Daytona. If I were to go out and ask, people, even those who would watch every F1 race a season, what the Rolex 24 hours was, I doubt they could expand beyond the obvious. Indeed, it's only in the last few years I've heard of it, but I can't work out why. It's got everything Le Mans does.

World famous track - OK, so the road course layout may not be famous in it's own right, but Daytona is a renouned race-track the world over.

Serious equipment - Like Le Mans the list of car makers involved is a list of the world's biggest - Porsche, Lexus, Mazda, BMW, Ford, Corvette.

Who's Who of drivers - When I read through the drivers entry list, or at least I've found, I was amazed to see the strength of the field. I was expecting a few top line teams, feilded by the likes of Ganassi, Penske, with big name drivers and then names that would mean very little to me, but everybody seems to be on this list. Obviously the clutch of NASCAR drivers, Montoya, Allmendinger, Busch, Johnson, Franchitti. The stars of the US sports car circuits, Boris Said and Scott Pruett, and drivers from open-wheel series - Ryan Briscoe, Vitor Meira, Helio, Justin Wilson. But beyond that the list of other nations and series is near endless. Allan McNish and  Mike Rockenfeller from Audi's Le Mans' and ALMS teams, Derek Bell, a legend in his own right, with 5 Le Mans wins. Ricardo Zonta, a man who in my opinion should still have an F1 seat and Jan Magnussen, a man who should not. Drivers from countries around the world, including UK Touring and GT drivers, Tommy Erdos, Tom Kimber-Smith and Tim Sugden.

There are more names notable from other series there, but there's only so much space.

The question is, with these ingredients, why is the Daytona 24 hours hardly ever heard about away from the most hardcore motorsports conversations (at least over here), where it's French brother is heralded worldwide every June.

It's 2008. It's January, the various championships of motor racing are gearing up for another year of giving us all enough to scream and yell about, until, well about this time next year. Here are a handful of series I can't wait to kick off, and I've even allowed myself to try and pick a winner (occasionally).

NASCAR: Let's kick off with the obvious, so much has been dedicated to the unknowns of the 2008 season. The COT going full time. Toyota looking to prove itself. Can anyone topple Hendrick. Can the open wheelers even hope to compete. Oh, and some lad called Dale has changed teams. If the racing on the track (and the organisation off it) come anywhere near matching this hype then we should be in for one of the better seasons of recent years. From testing it almost looks as it the Camry is the car to beat, and now they have the Gibbs engine dept on their side (the same Gibbs engine dept that powered The Toyota's to the top of qualifying and Blaney to 3rd in the 'Dega chase race) they should be good. I don't know if Toyota (most likely in the form o####ibbs car) can win the title, but I think those who wrote off their chances of a Cup win in 08 should be made to eat humble pie at some point. When it comes down to the title I find it hard to look beyond Hendrick. They may not always have the fastest car, but they have the best drivers.

PREDICTION: Toyota to win a race before May, and Jimmie to lead Jeff and Jr in a Hendrick 1-2-3 to the title. At least one of the open-wheel refugees to be unseated before the Chase.

F1: This year's Formula 1 season is unlikely to come close to the excitement that last season delivered. This is a shame as I feel that last year gained the sport a number of new fans (this may only be over here in the UK thanks to Hamilton) and it would be a shame to see it crash in flames. Again, like NASCAR there are huge unknowns. The cars are now without Traction Control, something that a number of drivers may not be used to. This gives us the possibility that new drivers may come to the fore. We also have new tracks on the calendar, at Valencia, Spain (which will host the European GP) and Singapore, including a blast over a bridge in the harbour. In the dark. As for winners McLaren will be strong again, BMW will look to become a major challenger for wins, rather than picking up podiums when others retire, but Ferrari are my favourites for the title. Kimi's title win last year may well have been a bit lucky, but there was no luck in winning 6 races (2 more than either McLaren driver).

PREDICTION: Kimi to lead a dominant Ferrari season, Hamilton's difficult second season, BMW to win at least one race. Singapore's night race to involve carnage that ensures F1 doesn't race at night again.

Touring Cars: Firstly the British Touring Cars (this will mean nothing to a huge swathe of you no doubt). We see arguably the best driver in the field (Matt Neal) driving for arguably the best team on the grid, and current manufacturers champions (Vauxhall). There will undoubtedly be the normal Touring Car bashing and ####ing, but I can't see their rivals (Seat) coming close.

PREDICTION: The rivalry between the Vauxhall drivers will be more interesting than Vauxhall's rivalry with anything else.

Now the World Touring Cars. Andy Priaulx looks to continue his domination of the class, as he challenges for his 4th consequtive title, with no doubt one of the Mullers as his main rival.

PREDICTION: Sorry Andy, my money's on the Germans

V8 Supercars: DISCLAIMER - I defer to Tez on all things V8. Can Ford win the title. After two years of nearly, they've failed at the final round both times. It's obvious the Falcons are strong, taking both endurance races in 2007, but for some reason they haven't been able to rekindle the form that led them to 3 titles with Stone Brothers Racing.

PREDICTION: Holden again, at this stage (I don't know the 08 team line-ups), I'd put money on one of the Kelly brothers taking the title.

Le Mans: The Madness of mid-June. With the dawn of the diesel era at La Sarthe only a few teams are in the chase for ultimate victory, namely the all conquering Audi's and the challenging Peugeots. Peugeot had a good showing last year (despite having a car they claimed was still being developed). If that claim was anything other than mind games they could have a shot at beating the 4 Rings.

PREDICTION: I'm taking the easy way out here. Audi all the way.