The comment about leaching the competition's cars during a recession reminds me of an exchange between Eva Marie Saint and Yves Montand in the old film "Grand Prix".  Saint was a naive young American and Montand was the old professional Formula One driver who was facing new competition from a new American hotshoe (played by James Garner).  Saint asked Montand if he ever slowed down when he passed a terrible accident during a race.  His cold answer--"When I pass an accident I put my foot down hard on the gas-- because I know everyone else is lifting theirs."