Everything Must Go

The financial tsunami is affecting every walk of life, even motor-racing is not immune to it.

Two major Japanese manufacturers, Honda and Kawasaki, have pulled out of the Formula One and MotoGP World Championship respectively. Many fear that other teams may soon follow suit.

It is only natural for manufacturers to pull out in light of the financial situation. But would Charles Darwin be happy to see these two Japanese giants to go?

As you may recall, our Mr Darwin proposed the famous "Natural Selection" theory which, in layman terms, suggests that the strong will stay, while the weak will go.

If the theory holds true, Kawasaki would have no complaint as is definitely the weakest team in MotoGP. But is Honda the weakest team in Formula One? Definitely not if you consider that they won a race in 2006 in Hungary, and had a podium finish last season at Silverstone.

In a perfect world, Honda should have stayed. But since this is not a perfect world, the following teams survive despite their inexcusable ineptitude:

Detroit Lions (NFL) - The only 0-16 team in NFL history. Once proud franchise left in tatters thanks to the great Matt Millen. Once drafted four wide receivers with top-ten picks in a five-year stretch, and only one of them is not a bust. Need I say more?

Oakland Raiders (NFL) - Commitment to Excellence? Excel in what? Finding promising young coaches, getting into a messy feud with them, dismissing them while withholding compensation, only to see them succeed after joining your arch-rival?

Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB) - 16 consecutive losing seasons? Now they are signing not one, but two pitchers from India, of all places? What's next? An outfielder from Mars?

Toyota (Formula One) - Boasting one of the biggest budgets of all teams, but still looking for its first victory? Come on! Even the supposedly second-fiddle Toro Rosso has won a race!

And finally ...

Dallas Cowboys (NFL) - My beloved Cowboys are without a post-season win since 1996, and have been playing extremely poorly in the month of December. They should be barred from playing any games after the end of November each year.