Okay, so maybe PPIR wasn't your favorite racetrack in the world. I know it wasn't mine, in fact, I don't think I've been back to PPIR this century, after hitting most of the early rounds. I won't be missing it from the schedule, but I do know one person who will:

Eric Bostrom.

The youngest Bostrom brother has won six out of the nine Superbike races held at PPIR, on three different makes of motorcycle, and has, in short, dominated the event in recent years. His unorthodox, dirt-track-inspired wide-line holeshot into turn one at PPIR should be studied by every student of motorcycle racing who wants to win races.

"Yeah, I'm generally disappointed," Bostrom said via cell phone today from Europe, where he is hanging out with his big brother, World Superbike rider Ben Bostrom. "It's like, on a professional basis and a personal one, I'm disappointed."

"I think the first few years that we went to PPIR you could have lobbed a grenade into the stands and never harmed anyone, but as time went on the crowd picked up, and while it never got huge, I tell you what, the fans at PPIR were some of the best we see on the tour. They were so into racing, knew who everyone was and what classes they ran. Plus, the local newspapers and radio shows really pumped the race up, and knew their stuff too."

Understating the situation, Bostrom concluded as his cell signal started fragmenting, "I'm really going to miss that round ..."

Bostrom was driving to Milan, so Soup wished him luck in trying to find a place to park his car in a city with no open spots, and bid him farewell.