Pirate Galaxy » on to win the national tit

Discounted tickets for F1 races are as rare as free paddock passes from Bernie Ecclestone (unless you are either an A-list celeb or a wealthy potentate wishing to unwittingly contribute to CVC Capitals substantial profits). Credit to Mercedes-Benz for offering 90 Euros off the price of admission to the companys Hockenheim grandstand to mark the 90th anniversary of the German Grand Prix (the first of which, no surprise, was won by a Mercedes.)The cut-price seats were snapped up immediately and Im sure the promotion is being handled with the calm and efficiency we associate with Mercedes even if, like the F1 race team, the marketing division is paddling like crazy beneath the surface. Nothing, however, is likely to match the hilarious chaos accompanying an imaginative offer at this same track in 1999.When Michael Schumacher had the misfortune to break his leg during the British Grand Prix a few weeks before his home race, the sports editor of Bild hit on an idea to help increase sales. Germanys best-selling daily newspaper offered 50 free seats to Schumacher fans who happened to have a broken leg - or two - and were suffering the same frustrations as their hero. The newspaper was inundated with requests from more than a thousand walking wounded, the lucky 50 being drawn from a hat.The publishers were surprised. They shouldnt have been. This was a prize worth having since the invalids were being given better treatment than the healthy 100,000 or so joining them and paying through the nose on race day.Taken from the nearest railway station in a fleet of ambulances and mini-buses to the Ostkurve grandstand (at the far end of the original circuit), the winners were ushered to reserved seats. But not any old seat. Each guest was given enough room to stretch out their injured limb, even if that meant keeping the seat in front free. At least those sitting behind were not troubled by the fractured 50 leaping to their feet in moments of excitement.With such special treatment on offer, the newspaper needed some form of medical proof that each injury was genuine. It was not difficult to imagine ambitious enthusiasts investing in bandages and plaster of Paris in return for free admission. Indeed, given the probative price of F1 seats, it was even considered possible to have the more adventurous punters get dead dog drunk and have an accomplice run them over on the way home from the pub.This support by association with national heroes raises all sorts of possibilities, doesnt it? Semi-conscious Spaniards helped into the Alonso Arena at Barcelona; Bulldog owners and their pets shepherded into the Hamilton Hound enclosure at Silverstone (free poo bags supplied by The Sun).Taking it a step further, last year at the Red Bull Ring they could have had a Groaning Grandstand with free admission for those who could moan the loudest and longest. And its not true that Mercedes have advised guests against wearing matching outfits in lemon this weekend because they dont want any mention of double yellows.This is getting silly. Which was probably what the Bild sports editor thought when the offer of a leg-up revealed the true extent of his fractured readership 17 years ago. Robert Horry Lakers Jersey . Walcott is available for Saturdays home match against Southampton as Arsenal looks to extend its two-point lead at the top of the Premier League. 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In taking its goal tally to 99 in all competitions already this season, City delivered another demonstration of its lethal firepower at Etihad Stadium to set up a fourth-round match at home to another second-tier team -- Watford. The 33rd Maui Invitational tips off Monday and will feature another field loaded with basketball powers.This years field --?Oregon, Tennessee, Georgetown, Wisconsin, Oklahoma State, UConn, North Carolina and host Chaminade -- consists of teams that have a combined 14 NCAA championships, 40 Final Four appearances and 192 NCAA tournament appearances.?The winner in Maui has gone on to win the national title four times, with UConn in 2010-11 the most recent. North Carolina has won the Maui title three times.Tennessee and Wisconsin open play at 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and WatchESPN.?The Volunteers will be making their third appearance in the Maui Invitational and are 2-4 all time in the event, with all losses coming against top-15 teams. Tennessee coach Rick Barness will bring his third team to Maui having coached both Providence (1991) and Texas (2004, 2008, 2012) in the tournament in the past.ddddddddddddThe Volunteers are coming off a 15-19 season, only the second losing season in Barnes 30-yard history as a head coach, and will bring a young team to Hawaii with 13 of 16 players either freshmen or sophomores. The Volunteers are 1-1 early in the season and have five players averaging in double figures in two games, led by freshman Jordan Bones 14.0 PPG. Senior Robert Hubbs III leads the team in minutes played at 29.5 and is second on the team in scoring at 13.5 PPG. ?-- ESPN Stats & Info ' ' '