Homestead, Fla. -- With over 200 reporters in the room during Friday's press conference, they did not getthe "big newsbreak" they expected. Emmo announced that he will not be racing in 1997, but will notdecide on retirement at this time.

As a sidenote: This is the first time in Emerson's long and glorious racing career that he has ever beensidelined due to injuries.

Fittipaldi has been named Grand Marshall for the Marlboro Grand Prix of Miami, to be held here at Homesteadon March 2nd.

No one can say it better then Emmo himself, so here are some quotes direct from Emerson Fittipaldi's Press Conference:

"Right after my crash I said I would not drive anymore, but as the months go by, you can change your mind."

"By Tuesday morning, two days after my accident, my perception of life had changed, and, even though I was hurting and suffering a great deal, I was very happy to be alive and able to walk."

"And I received thousands of communications from people I had never heard from and that helped my motivation and gave me good feelings."

"My right arm and right hand are still weak and I'm not able to drive an Indy car 100 percent. But I want to leave time for the future and keep the door open. I don't want to make a decision yet."

"My physical therapy is working very well. To drive Indy cars, you have to be 100 percent. I am not there yet."

"I had mixed feelings because the last time I heard an Indy car I was being taken away by a helicopter. But when I walked into the track today, I had so much emotion because all my life has been a racing driver."

"It's my love and passion and I cannot make a decision for 1998 just yet."