function $(id) {
		return document.getElementById(id);
	}

	function validate($form) {
	  if ($form == "contact") {
		valid = true;
		if ($("name").value == "") { alert("Please enter your name"); valid=false; }
		//if ($("phone").value == "") { alert("Please enter your phone number"); valid=false; }
		//else {
		//  var stripped = $("phone").value.replace(/[\(\)\.\-\ ]/g, '');
		//  if (isNaN(stripped)) { 
		//  	alert("Please enter a valid phone number"); valid=false;
		//  } else if (stripped.length < 7) { alert("Please enter a valid phone number"); valid=false; }
		//}

		var emailFilter=/^.+@.+\..{2,6}$/;
		if ($("email").value != "") {
		  if (!(emailFilter.test($("email").value))) {
		    alert("Please enter a valid email address");
		    valid=false; 
		  }
		}
	  }

	  if ($form == "add_race") {
		valid = true;
		if ($("name").value == "") { alert("Please enter the race name"); valid=false; }
		if ($("city").value == "") { alert("Please enter the city"); valid=false; }
		if ($("state").value == "") { alert("Please enter the state"); valid=false; }
		if ($("description").value == "") { alert("Please enter a brief description"); valid=false; }
	  }

		return valid;
	}

function clearText(thefield) {
  if (thefield.defaultValue==thefield.value) { thefield.value = "" }
} 
function replaceText(thefield) {
  if (thefield.value=="") { thefield.value = thefield.defaultValue }
}