Paddy O'Moto Guts Todd Palin in Snowmobile Race

Frequent, bloody battles with the FIA have soured Paddy O'Moto on politics and its ensuing scrutiny. But in an election year, no one is safe from the media microscope; not even the world's most feared motorsportsman

Such was the case when O'Moto challenged Todd Palin, husband of Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin, to a charity snowmobile race. 

"I'd never endorse a candidate unless she promised to eliminate all speed limits," said the current land-speed record holder. "But this guy Todd calls himself the "The First Dude of Alaska". I mean how do you not want to race a guy like that."

With all donations going to MAST (Mothers Against Speed Traps), the nearly 2000 mile competition traced the route of the Itiderod, the grueling, cross-state race that O'Moto and his team of genetically manipulated sled dogs have won a record eight times. (A 9th victory is under appeal.)

"Building a dog for the Itiderod is pretty simple," said Two Micks Racing Design Chief, Jonathan Mills. "We just make their paws bigger."

"But building a snowmobile to run with the likes of "Wolf" Palin took a couple of days,", he continued. "We even worked through lunch once."

The resulting machine was impressive to even the most seasoned of snow carvers. Using a heavily modified Polaris platform, Two Micks Racing engineers installed a 990cc  V-4 power plant capable of spinning up to 17,000 rpm and producing over 250 horsepower. Pirelli provided the tracks and calendars. A coal-fired afterburner made straight line speed a non-issue.

Winning was also non-issue. Two days into the race, O'Moto was three days ahead.

"We added another thousand miles, hoping he'd catch up," said Extreme Sports' newest superstar.  "I figured it'd give me a chance to take some nice panoramic shots and finish teaching that igloo building class."

Having been re-Christened "The Second Dude of Alaska", Todd Palin, in defeat, was gracious: "To be beaten by someone who's never lost is an honor. But I'm sending him back to Europe with some of my venison jerky. And since you can't make jerky fast, I know I've got that on him."

At press time, development of Paddy O'Moto's 9000-horsepower dehydrator, "The Big Jerk", was months ahead of schedule.

O'Moto Appeals Victory; Demands Entire Podium

No one can be sure whether it was the torrential rain or his rivals' bitter tears that pounded the storied tarmac of Monza last Sunday, as Italy's favorite adopted stepson, P. O'Moto, not only displaced hundreds of gallons of water per lap but casually dispatched the dreams of the other championship contenders.

Yet the treacherously wet conditions weren't the biggest story of the weekend. Rather, it was Paddy O'Moto's landmark appeal of his win that made above-the-fold headlines around the world -- an appeal that demanded he occupy not only the top step of the podium but tiers two and three, as well. 

Having lapped the "2nd" place finisher for the fourth time, O'Moto disintegrated his new TMR-2008.5 while performing the first-ever victory 'stoppie', resulting in his special carbon-pasta chassis crossing the start/finish line in three distinct pieces. The resulting debris caused a black flag, preventing any of the other competitors from finishing.

"I lost my left pinky in the crash," said an obviously irritated O'Moto. "So, technically I should get 4th place, too. It's a no-brainer."

Formula One supremo, Bernie Ecclestone, later commented timidly: "What do you want me to do? He's dating my daughter."

What insiders are calling "a swarm" of lawyers have descended on the offices of embattled FIA president, Max Mosley, bearing sworn statements and incriminating photos. The hearing is set for Monday.