LE WINNER, LE WHINER; Doornbos wins at Mont-Tremblant as Bourdais cries foul.(Competition)

Byline: STEVEN COLE SMITH

In french, mont-Tremblant means "Trembling Mountain.'' After the Champ Car World Series race at Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant, the first there since 1968, some in the Champ Car paddock suggested it means "Trembling Lower Lip.'' That was after Sebastien Bourdais rained hard on first-time winner Robert Doornbos' parade, insisting Doornbos won only because he repeatedly blocked Bourdais, who finished second.

Following the race, Bourdais slammed Doornbos over the public address system. The response: resounding boos from the predominantly French-Canadian crowd, which had previously supported Frenchman Bourdais. On the podium, Bourdais refused to shake Doornbos' hand and refused to applaud for the winner, though Doornbos heartily applauded for Bourdais. More booing.

Give credit to Bourdais for saying what he felt to Doornbos' face. As they prepared to answer questions in the press conference, Bourdais was still lecturing Doornbos off the microphone. Doornbos took the high road, even as Bourdais continued on the record, sounding like a priggish schoolmarm rather than a three-time champion. Dutchman Doornbos looked straight ahead, a slightly bemused expression on his face, as Bourdais said Doornbos had blocked him three times: once in the pits and in turns eight and 10. At last week's Cleveland race (AW, July 2), Champ Car officials did cite Doornbos for blocking and penalized him. But this time, no one seemed to see it from Bourdais' view.

"If Sebastien feels that he could have passed me, he should have done it,'' Doornbos said. "I felt I was quicker.''

"I only wish I could have,'' Bourdais said. "Had you not thrown me in the grass, maybe it would have been all right!''

Later Doornbos said, "I'm not going to let it spoil my victory.''