Manned Spaceflight, NASCAR-style
Although the X Prize is still a ways from being won, the X Prize Foundation is already planning what to do for a follow-up after the initial competition is over. The answer: The X Prize Cup spacecraft competition. Every year, private spacecraft teams would get together at one of America's 15 spaceports to pit their spacecraft against the competition, seeing who could reach the highest altitude, have the best launch time, the quickest re-launch, most passengers, etc.
If this ever happens, it'll be a testament to the success of the X Prize in changing paradigms of spaceflight. The first "space race" involved two nations, took over a decade, and cost billions of dollars. Now, private companies can get together every year and have their own space races. The biggest question, to me, is, would people watch? The Foundation says they want to try and stir up NASCAR-type excitement about space. With all the sports that people watch, how would this do?
Addendum: Here's an interesting bit about the state of commercial spaceflight regulation.

:: :: 09:22 :: David :: [permalink] ::