It is sure now. There will be no grand prinx next year in montreal. A big economical loss to escort agencies and MPs.
No Grand Prix
- Thread starter HornyBoy007
- Start date
Here's the story from Bloomberg:
Aug. 7 (Bloomberg) -- Formula One's ruling body dropped the
Canadian Grand Prix from next season's race calendar because of a
government ban on tobacco advertising.
Bernie Ecclestone, who jointly owns F-1's commercial rights,
sent organizers of the Montreal race a letter informing them of
the decision, promoter Normand Legault said at a news conference
televised in Canada. The decision can't be appealed.
Canadian regulations that prohibit sponsorship of sports
events by tobacco companies take effect Oct. 1. F-1 is
challenging the European Commission's decision to introduce
a similar ban beginning in August 2005.
Five of the sport's 10 teams are backed by tobacco companies
including Philip Morris Inc. and British American Tobacco Plc.
The ban would affect those already coping with a sponsorship
downturn.
``It's not a surprise, but I'm not throwing in the towel
right away,'' Legault said. ``If it's not (held) in 2004, maybe
it'll be in 2005.''
Uncertainty over the future of the event, which draws crowds
of more than 300,000 over the weekend, will hamper efforts to
replace Air Canada as race sponsor, Legault said. Air Canada's
agreement expired after this year's edition, which took place
June 15. World champion Michael Schumacher won at the Circuit
Gilles-Villeneuve, which has hosted the race since 1977.
``There will be an important negative impact on Montreal's
tourism,'' Legault said.
The Belgian Grand Prix will be reintroduced to Formula One's
World Championship in 2004 after a year out because the Belgian
government softened its laws on tobacco advertising at sporting
events last month.
--Stuart Condie in London (44)(20) 7673-2527, or at
[email protected] and Frederic Tomesco in Montreal (1)(514)
286-1565 or [email protected] with reporting by Dan Baynes in
Sydney, through the Princeton Sports Desk. Editor: Sillup, Bensch
Aug. 7 (Bloomberg) -- Formula One's ruling body dropped the
Canadian Grand Prix from next season's race calendar because of a
government ban on tobacco advertising.
Bernie Ecclestone, who jointly owns F-1's commercial rights,
sent organizers of the Montreal race a letter informing them of
the decision, promoter Normand Legault said at a news conference
televised in Canada. The decision can't be appealed.
Canadian regulations that prohibit sponsorship of sports
events by tobacco companies take effect Oct. 1. F-1 is
challenging the European Commission's decision to introduce
a similar ban beginning in August 2005.
Five of the sport's 10 teams are backed by tobacco companies
including Philip Morris Inc. and British American Tobacco Plc.
The ban would affect those already coping with a sponsorship
downturn.
``It's not a surprise, but I'm not throwing in the towel
right away,'' Legault said. ``If it's not (held) in 2004, maybe
it'll be in 2005.''
Uncertainty over the future of the event, which draws crowds
of more than 300,000 over the weekend, will hamper efforts to
replace Air Canada as race sponsor, Legault said. Air Canada's
agreement expired after this year's edition, which took place
June 15. World champion Michael Schumacher won at the Circuit
Gilles-Villeneuve, which has hosted the race since 1977.
``There will be an important negative impact on Montreal's
tourism,'' Legault said.
The Belgian Grand Prix will be reintroduced to Formula One's
World Championship in 2004 after a year out because the Belgian
government softened its laws on tobacco advertising at sporting
events last month.
--Stuart Condie in London (44)(20) 7673-2527, or at
[email protected] and Frederic Tomesco in Montreal (1)(514)
286-1565 or [email protected] with reporting by Dan Baynes in
Sydney, through the Princeton Sports Desk. Editor: Sillup, Bensch
Basically, the anti-smoking groups can now go pat themselves on the backs, having killed off many events due to the inability of tabacco companies to advertise at them. The funny part is that none of the sponsors in question have a significant presence in the Canadian marketplace, often promoting brands that aren't even available in Canada. Just as importantly, the financial transaction for the sponsorship doesn't even occur in Canada.
In the current economy, there are very few companies that are willing to shell out the big dollars to sponsor major sporting events. The Canadian GP is toast, Players will leave autoracing after 40+ years, and such.
The company that was normally #2 in line to make up the direct local sponsorship of events, Air Canada, is fubar.
The beer companies, I suspect after seeing the reaming the cig companies got are less inclined to sponsor ANYTHING that isn't in a bar or nightclub anymore.
Guess what? Canada's tourism business is fubar as well.
MATt
In the current economy, there are very few companies that are willing to shell out the big dollars to sponsor major sporting events. The Canadian GP is toast, Players will leave autoracing after 40+ years, and such.
The company that was normally #2 in line to make up the direct local sponsorship of events, Air Canada, is fubar.
The beer companies, I suspect after seeing the reaming the cig companies got are less inclined to sponsor ANYTHING that isn't in a bar or nightclub anymore.
Guess what? Canada's tourism business is fubar as well.
MATt
The decision is sad, and it is a blow to the economy of montreal. Though, I totally approve the decision of the government to ban advertizing tobacco. Hopefully, the same decision will be taken in Europe, so that the F1 organizers will have no excuse to continue banning montreal.
And as was mentionned in a previous post, festivities don't stop in Montreal during the summer, so tourists still have a lot of attractions (besides the escort agencies and the strip clubs
And as was mentionned in a previous post, festivities don't stop in Montreal during the summer, so tourists still have a lot of attractions (besides the escort agencies and the strip clubs
this just in...
Maybe good news???
Eccelstone is now saying its not true...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3133815.stm
who knows!
rolo
Maybe good news???
Eccelstone is now saying its not true...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3133815.stm
who knows!
rolo
Considering the farce that F1 has become, who cares? 250 million people that DON'T spend their money here? Big deal. No loss.
bright side?
I'll try to be the optimist, and say that this could mean more favorable hotel availability and pricing for those of us who are not race fans!
I also wonder how many former "race fans" will find some other reason to spend that time in Montreal.
I'll try to be the optimist, and say that this could mean more favorable hotel availability and pricing for those of us who are not race fans!
I also wonder how many former "race fans" will find some other reason to spend that time in Montreal.
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The loss of Formula 1 in Montreal will decimate the local economy. The hotel and restaurant business generates a lot of jobs. Expect the impact of something like this to ripple down not only through hotel and restaurants, but also construction. New hotel rooms that are being planned will be put on hold if at all possible.
As for NASCAR...Eager you must be kidding me. NASCAR would be about as popular as baseball in Montreal. I have to say I think NASCAR is about as exciting as baseball as well..LOL.
EBS
As for NASCAR...Eager you must be kidding me. NASCAR would be about as popular as baseball in Montreal. I have to say I think NASCAR is about as exciting as baseball as well..LOL.
EBS
Captain,
All good numbers and reasonable people may disagree on whether the term decimate is appropriate. However, I would ask outside of the provincial and city government, who are the largest single employers in Montreal? That would be the hotel and restaurant business. A good majority of the money pumped in through tourism never shows up in identifiable taxable form, but it gets put into the economy nonetheless. So the question to ask is how much unreported income is going to be lost in addition to the say 100 million or whatever figure. F1 is by far the largest single event you have during peak season. If you somehow think that the local economy will shrug that off like nothing happenned, I think you're in for a rude surprise. That is kind of like Vegas saying they could do without COMDEX...the annual electronics expo..hands down the largest convention in Las Vegas. The loss of COMDEX in Vegas would be equally devastating, and they have an entire gaming industry to prop them up.
No this may not decimate the economy, but I think its a bit of a stretch to think there won't be serious repercussions on the Montreal economy. All I heard from restaurant and hotel owners last time I was in town is that this years GP was down 10-15% and they were crying the blues over that. How about down 100% next year?
EBS
All good numbers and reasonable people may disagree on whether the term decimate is appropriate. However, I would ask outside of the provincial and city government, who are the largest single employers in Montreal? That would be the hotel and restaurant business. A good majority of the money pumped in through tourism never shows up in identifiable taxable form, but it gets put into the economy nonetheless. So the question to ask is how much unreported income is going to be lost in addition to the say 100 million or whatever figure. F1 is by far the largest single event you have during peak season. If you somehow think that the local economy will shrug that off like nothing happenned, I think you're in for a rude surprise. That is kind of like Vegas saying they could do without COMDEX...the annual electronics expo..hands down the largest convention in Las Vegas. The loss of COMDEX in Vegas would be equally devastating, and they have an entire gaming industry to prop them up.
No this may not decimate the economy, but I think its a bit of a stretch to think there won't be serious repercussions on the Montreal economy. All I heard from restaurant and hotel owners last time I was in town is that this years GP was down 10-15% and they were crying the blues over that. How about down 100% next year?
EBS
EBS, just to clear things up for you, below you will find the top six economic sectors in Montreal according to research done by the Gazette.
1) Pulp and paper
2) Pharmaceuticals
3) Aerospace
4) Telecommunications
5) Transportation
6) Technology
Tourism doesn't even make it in that list. Yes if the F1 is cancelled it will be a blow to the market of about around 80 million. Yes it will hurt the restaurant and hotel business. But Montreal will easily weather this storm.
Here is another list of employment per industry, according to stats Canada.
Manufacturing 300,000
Trade 300,000
Business services 200,000
Health 190,000
Education 130,000
Finance, insurance 110,000
Transportation 80,000
Info culture recreation 90,000
Accommodation and food 90,000
Hope this will clear up your slightly skewed view that Montreal is only a tourist center. Accommodation and food industry only make up 6 %. if you want to add culture and recreation you still get only 12 %
EagerBeaver, I seem to recall a previous attempt at bringing NASCAR to Canada being rejected because of the amount of emisions due to the type of leaded fuel needed. These cars run in excess of 17-1 compression ratio which is just shy of a diesel, 20-1. If I'm wrong on any of this, someone please enlighten me.
EBS, you seem to imply that NASCAR is boring. Please tell me what is so exciting about watching guys chasing Herr Shumaker every Sunday morning. This is after the mandatory crash/engine failure by Mr Villneuve. This is a retorical statement and not meant to be inflamatory, so please don't respond with a 5000 word diatribe.
EBS, you seem to imply that NASCAR is boring. Please tell me what is so exciting about watching guys chasing Herr Shumaker every Sunday morning. This is after the mandatory crash/engine failure by Mr Villneuve. This is a retorical statement and not meant to be inflamatory, so please don't respond with a 5000 word diatribe.
J
JustaJohn
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
Eager:
It's already been used for the CART race. Actually, this year's edition will be held this upcoming weekend. Still great passes available, for those interested.
Come and watch our Canadian boyz (Pat, Alex and Paul) kick some American and European butt at the race! LOL
My money is on Paul Tracy to win the race and thus sweeping all 3 Canadian races.
Off topic: i don't know if any of you heard local radio pranksters "Les Justiciers Masques" (Masked Avengers) pull a prank on F1 head honcho Bernie Ecclestone last week. It was hillarious! He actually believed it was Jean Chretien (Canadian PM) that had actually called him and did state the door was wide open for the F1 GP to return to Mtl if the government would agree to let the tobacco companies advertise their products during the race weekend. Here is the link: http://tours.radiopranks.com/1/?
The Bill Gates prank is a classic!
Eager:
It's already been used for the CART race. Actually, this year's edition will be held this upcoming weekend. Still great passes available, for those interested.
Come and watch our Canadian boyz (Pat, Alex and Paul) kick some American and European butt at the race! LOL
My money is on Paul Tracy to win the race and thus sweeping all 3 Canadian races.
Off topic: i don't know if any of you heard local radio pranksters "Les Justiciers Masques" (Masked Avengers) pull a prank on F1 head honcho Bernie Ecclestone last week. It was hillarious! He actually believed it was Jean Chretien (Canadian PM) that had actually called him and did state the door was wide open for the F1 GP to return to Mtl if the government would agree to let the tobacco companies advertise their products during the race weekend. Here is the link: http://tours.radiopranks.com/1/?
The Bill Gates prank is a classic!
Umm, although I know it is all tongue in cheek, I do want to point out that this sort of thing is actually quite possible and not that hard to set up. Seminars, multi-day public events, etc are all things I have bene involved in with( at a show management level) n the last couple of years, twice in Montreal.
It could be done... there would have to be some cost involved, but it could be done.
Wanna bet LE would be there to "meet and greet"? ;-)
MATt
It could be done... there would have to be some cost involved, but it could be done.
Wanna bet LE would be there to "meet and greet"? ;-)
MATt
Capt, I hope you are right about JV never driving in NASCAR. It would be most embarassing to see him get his ass kicked in 2 different series. REAL racers only turn left!
Phew! I'm glad you didn't take my post out of context Capt. I wholeheartedly agree with you about NASCAR's place in the world of auto racing, and "each to his own". F1 is probably the most popular form of auto racing in the world, and yes it is sad to see Montreal being bypassed because of narrow minded, weak-kneed politicos. I smoke, not because NASCAR is, (soon to be was), sponsered by RJ Renolds, but because I choose to. As for my preference for "Good Ole Boys" roundy round racing, as you said, to each their own. F1, with computer assisted engine management, braking, suspension etc, just lacks the human factor. NASCAR, although far from "stock" cars...(ever see a 2 door rwd Taurus?), still employs carburated, pushrod V8's that require tuning if it gets cloudy or not, tire pressures that may vary even half a pound, and even duct tape on the nose to help down force. All of this is decided by the driver during the race. while the ability to make turns, left and right, at insane speeds is impressive, so is spending up to 4 hours in a car with an interior temperature of 140 degrees. Each sport has it's heros and its fans. Vive la difference!
RDS is talking about a possible ride at Jaguar for JV or a test driver at McLaren
http://www.rds.ca/cgi-bin/nouvelles?site=rdw&action=4&SPODIR=information&sport=#91034
http://www.rds.ca/cgi-bin/nouvelles?site=rdw&action=4&SPODIR=information&sport=#91034
Newtown
Being an avid racing enthusiast of F-1 and CART (Champ Car Racing), i must emphasize the fact that i consider Jacques 'Newtown' Villeneuve to be an absolutely terrible race car driver. He has no business in F-1. The year he won the championship with Williams, any Joe Blow with a driving license could have won the title with the world's best car at the time. Even his buddy Frentzen looked good driving that car. Frentzen is a mediocre driver at best!
Now, 'Newtown' is one of the oldest drivers on the circuit, and his chronic complaining and the fact he often tends to act like an a-hole with other drivers and fellow team members has nearly destroyed his chances of ever driving in F-1 again. The guy is simply unbearable, as stated by inside sources.
I used to be a huge, huge fan of his father, Gilles. Now, 'that' was a racing driver! Jacques, however, got the opportunities he got because of his surname, and it's showing. Quebecois? No way....he was born in Quebec, and that's pretty much it. He was raised in Monaco and went to private schools in Switzerland.
If he's lucky, he might get offers to race Monster Trucks.
To conclude, a very under-achieving, over-rated driver....with a lousy attitude.
Being an avid racing enthusiast of F-1 and CART (Champ Car Racing), i must emphasize the fact that i consider Jacques 'Newtown' Villeneuve to be an absolutely terrible race car driver. He has no business in F-1. The year he won the championship with Williams, any Joe Blow with a driving license could have won the title with the world's best car at the time. Even his buddy Frentzen looked good driving that car. Frentzen is a mediocre driver at best!
Now, 'Newtown' is one of the oldest drivers on the circuit, and his chronic complaining and the fact he often tends to act like an a-hole with other drivers and fellow team members has nearly destroyed his chances of ever driving in F-1 again. The guy is simply unbearable, as stated by inside sources.
I used to be a huge, huge fan of his father, Gilles. Now, 'that' was a racing driver! Jacques, however, got the opportunities he got because of his surname, and it's showing. Quebecois? No way....he was born in Quebec, and that's pretty much it. He was raised in Monaco and went to private schools in Switzerland.
If he's lucky, he might get offers to race Monster Trucks.
To conclude, a very under-achieving, over-rated driver....with a lousy attitude.
Re: Newtown
I gather from this quote that you know nothing at all concerning racing. It takes two things to win a champoinship, a car and a driver. If you don't have the car you will NEVER win. If you have the car you still must be a very good driver.
To prove my point look at Schumacher vs Barrichello, look at Coulthard vs Raikonnen vs Hakkinen vs Hill. Coulthard had a winning drive for the past 10 years with McLaren and Williams did he do anything or even come close? noo. Did Barrichello did Irvine did Frentzen? Look at Players same car different driver again (Tracy and Carpentier ) miles apart. That rips apart your point that any "JOE BLOW" could win with a good car.
It is the sum of the two that makes a champion what he is. Villeneuve is a champion.
When you compared Villeneuve to Frentzen that's another joke The year that they drove together Jacques won the championship with 81 points and Frentzen had only 43. That's a huge gap in points in F1.
Put Villeneuve in a Ferrari, McLaren or a Williams and let see what he can do even today and as you stated he's old (Ha).
I gather from this quote that you know nothing at all concerning racing. It takes two things to win a champoinship, a car and a driver. If you don't have the car you will NEVER win. If you have the car you still must be a very good driver.
To prove my point look at Schumacher vs Barrichello, look at Coulthard vs Raikonnen vs Hakkinen vs Hill. Coulthard had a winning drive for the past 10 years with McLaren and Williams did he do anything or even come close? noo. Did Barrichello did Irvine did Frentzen? Look at Players same car different driver again (Tracy and Carpentier ) miles apart. That rips apart your point that any "JOE BLOW" could win with a good car.
It is the sum of the two that makes a champion what he is. Villeneuve is a champion.
When you compared Villeneuve to Frentzen that's another joke The year that they drove together Jacques won the championship with 81 points and Frentzen had only 43. That's a huge gap in points in F1.
Put Villeneuve in a Ferrari, McLaren or a Williams and let see what he can do even today and as you stated he's old (Ha).
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Little Jacques
He's old, as far as an F-1 driver goes....and he's too rough on the cars, which is why he never finishes races. Jensen Button proved that he's a much superior driver, even though he was considered number 2 on the BAR team.
Same reason why Frentzen finished behind Villeneuve that year. The number one driver on a team always has the best car, and the best team backing him up.
Jacques' best years are way behind him. He never was as good as the year he won the Indy 500. Heck, even his own uncle with the same namesake can't stand him!
Schumie rules!
He's old, as far as an F-1 driver goes....and he's too rough on the cars, which is why he never finishes races. Jensen Button proved that he's a much superior driver, even though he was considered number 2 on the BAR team.
Same reason why Frentzen finished behind Villeneuve that year. The number one driver on a team always has the best car, and the best team backing him up.
Jacques' best years are way behind him. He never was as good as the year he won the Indy 500. Heck, even his own uncle with the same namesake can't stand him!
Schumie rules!
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