No more F1 in Canada

[BlackEleven]

F1 removed Montreal (and Indianapolis) from the 2009 calendar so there will be no more F1 races in North America

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2008/...d.html?ref=rss

A sad day for me. I always enjoyed watching the Montreal race.

[STeeLy]

damn.. that blows... I was hoping to be able to watch an F1 race in Montreal some day... Hopefully, it's not permanently off the circuit...

(Yes I know, it's stupid to sit there and watch cars go around and around and around the track all day, but it's just one of those weird things I want to do before my life is over)

[troutman]

The track needs re-surfacing - all the drivers were complaining about it.

[Fire]

I'm not a big fan of F1 but this was a huge part of the Canadian sports scene. Sadly the only way it is coming back to Montreal is if the government provides a big cheque.

[BlackEleven]

Those are both big issues. Another one was the tobacco advertising. In Canada, cigarettes are not allowed to be advertised, so anyone with a tobacco sponsor was prevented from showing the logo or name. As a result, Canada was forced to pay more than the other countries to the F1 to host races.

[Table 5]

Wow, that's quite the blow, as it truly is one of the few International events that Canada does have when it comes to sports (or well, anything). I've always been planning to go to this thing as well, and was hoping to do it one of these years.

I hope it comes back lickety splits.

[TimSJ]

boo... one of the greatest events i have attended... Beautiful cars and women everywhere

[Locke]

We had F1 in Canada?

[The Ditch]

That really sucks. I went to the European grand prix in 2004 and it was a lot of fun. I've been meaning to get up to Montreal to see F1 but I guess I won't get that chance for a while.

[troutman]

Teams are angered by loss of MTL race:

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Motorsport...041966-ap.html

Angered by the decision to drop the Canadian Grand Prix from the Formula One calendar, teams said Friday that they wanted not one but up to three races in North America each season.

The dropping of the Montreal race left the manufacturing teams - which invest in F1 as a marketing tool to sell road cars - without an F1 presence in the world's most important continental car market.

[Gugstanley]

Any chance they can still change the schedule and put the race back on for next year? I agree with the teams and think at the least 1 race in Canada and 1 race in the US. Too bad the track outside Salt Lake City doesn't have the infrastructure to handle this race because the course would be perfect.

[pepper24]

If I recall MTL lost the race a few years ago but got it back before the season started. I think it was due to tobacco advertising. Hopefully they find a way to get it back.

I have a hotel reservation in MTL for the race after attending last year.

[Bagor]

The 2009 French Formula One Grand Prix has been cancelled after the French Motorsports Federation (FFSA) withdrew financing for the event.
Magny-Cours was due to stage the race on 28 June 2009 but France will now not feature on next season's FIA calendar. "For economic reasons, the FFSA has decided to cancel the (2009) French Grand Prix," said a FFSA statement.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/moto...ne/7672931.stm

Wonder could this lead to a one year reprieve?

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by Bagor

The 2009 French Formula One Grand Prix has been cancelled after the French Motorsports Federation (FFSA) withdrew financing for the event.
Magny-Cours was due to stage the race on 28 June 2009 but France will now not feature on next season's FIA calendar. "For economic reasons, the FFSA has decided to cancel the (2009) French Grand Prix," said a FFSA statement.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7673684.stm

Wonder could this lead to a one year reprieve?

Interesting. Canada loses its F1 race because we can't pony up enough money to keep it against places like Dubai. Now France says they can't afford the race.

I'm wondering if F1 has priced themselves out of some major markets? If manufacturers like Toyota, Honda didn't like losing North America, I'm sure Renaud won't be happy with no France race.

It seems to me like F1 has a choice to make.

Do they want to continue to chase the big money from places wishing to hold events, or do they want to accept less money and hold races in more strategic/historic locations?

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Interesting. Canada loses its F1 race because we can't pony up enough money to keep it against places like Dubai. Now France says they can't afford the race.

I'm wondering if F1 has priced themselves out of some major markets? If manufacturers like Toyota, Honda didn't like losing North America, I'm sure Renaud won't be happy with no France race.

Would have helped if I put the correct link in my post. Sorry.

Anyways ..... http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/moto...ne/7672931.stm

I think it's just a one year thing until they build a new circuit.

Not just Renault, there's Michelin and Elf fuel and Oil also.

[Bagor]

MONTREAL - The mayor of Montreal and federal and provincial cabinet ministers will leave for London on today to plead the case to save the Canadian Grand Prix.
Mayor Gerald Tremblay will be accompanied by federal International Trade Minister Michael Fortier and Quebec Economic Development Minister Raymond Bachand at tomorrow's meeting with Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone.

Good to see then trying to save it but it might be too little, too late methinks. Looks as if the city owes F1 some money.

The potential loss of $100 Million/year - costs is a pretty decent dent in Montreal's budget.

http://en.autos.sympatico.msn.ca/new...entid=11497504

[Bagor]

Montreal F1 race back in 2009?
CBC Sports

Montreal Mayor Gérald Tremblay emerged from a meeting with F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone in London on Thursday optimistic that the Canadian Grand Prix will be put back on the race calendar for 2009.

Montreal Mayor Gérald Tremblay, Quebec Economic Development Minister Raymond Bachand and federal Minister of International Trade Michael Fortier met with F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone in London Thursday.
The Canadian delegation and F1 chief met for 21/2 hours, and although no agreement was reached that would put Montreal back on next year's race calendar, Tremblay maintained an optimistic tone.
"We've had a constructive meeting. We have a better understanding of the issues. We still have a lot of work to do, to evaluate all the options, but it is still possible to hold the Grand Prix in Montreal in 2009 and in subsequent years," Tremblay told reporters after the meeting.
Tremblay is expected to give an update on the situation at a news conference in Montreal at 6:30 p.m. ET.

http://sports.sympatico.msn.cbc.ca/a...al-formula-one

Canadian Grand Prix fans pin hopes on the public purse - again
JEFF PAPPONE
October 23, 2008


For the second time in five years, it looks like taxpayers will need to dig into their pockets to save the Canadian Grand Prix.
With Montreal promoter Normand Legault insisting that the annual event is no longer viable and apparently needing to come up with a reported extra $20-million to appease F1 ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone, grand prix fans must pin their hopes on more government subsidies for the annual event.
The call for more public money comes only five years after a bailout for Montreal's race became necessary after it was dropped from the 2004 F1 calendar due to the federal anti-tobacco legislation.
And the events of the past two weeks are following a similar scenario to the drama that unfolded in 2003.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...Story/National

[ricoFlame]

http://tsn.ca/auto_racing/story/?id=...headlines_main

who knows.

[Bagor]

Quebec Finance Minister Raymond Bachand is confirming that negotiations are underway in an attempt to bring back the Canadian Grand Prix in 2010.
Bachand said today talks are ongoing with Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone for a potential return of the popular F1 race to Montreal.
Montreal was dumped from the circuit this year in favour of Istanbul but this month's race in Turkey was hamstrung by poor attendance.
Bachand told reporters in Quebec City the province, Ottawa and the City of Montreal are still willing to come up with financing to ensure the race returns.
The finance minister says he's confident but added that F1 has its own financial problems that need to be resolved.
The 2010 F1 schedule is to be unveiled before the end of the month.

http://www.tsn.ca/auto_racing/story/?id=282224

[Resolute 14]

Maybe they could put a Canadian race in Ferrari's new crybaby league.