Spa revisited. An extra race to close the gap!

[Spritle]

Here's hoping Bernie and Serge can resove their differences over a few butts...

As reported by F1 Live.


Last chance saloon for Belgian GP
As Minister meets Bernie Ecclestone [03/06/03 - 09:54]

Spa Francorchamps.

Belgian regional minister is hoping to meet with Bernie Ecclestone later this week in a last-ditch effort to save Spa-Francorchamps’ slot on the Formula One calendar.

According to his spokeswoman, Serge Kubla, Economy Minister for Wallonia, is expected to travel to London to meet with the F1 supremo.

The circuit was ousted from the calendar in October after a new law, which bans tobacco advertising from August, discouraged teams from racing in the country. However, the Green Party – the law’s most avid supporter – lost the general election in May, sparking hope that the new government will amend the ruling, allowing the race to go ahead.

FIA President, Max Mosley, would welcome the race back with open arms, providing the tobacco issue is solved beforehand.

“If Belgium solved the tobacco problem they would obviously have a strong case because it's a circuit that we all like," he said.

Dropping the Belgian Grand Prix caused uproar in the local community, whose economy benefited greatly from the business brought in by the thousands of spectators.

[golem]

Please don't be playing cruel jokes like this... Oh damn it, I'm now hoping inside this is true.

Is it?

[twig]

even in the absolute best circumstances (For us), the race will not be back for this year.

But i have a feeling it will be back.

[eclectic]

I'm sorry, but as far as I'm concerned F1 can go to hell in a handbag if the only way it can sort out its finances is by advertising tobacco.

Much as I love motor sport, (I have held a competition licence for 22 years now)supoerting smoking is not the way to go forward. Its a very addictive weed.

A doctor friend of mine says that the hospital he works in would be half empty if tabacco related illnesses didn't exist.

[twig]

exactly its problem!

Tobacco is a dirty industry, and i hope it becomes smaller, and smaller and sooner or later, will become nothing. It has done absolutely nothing but cause many many large illnesses in only the companies are beneficiaries. And Formula 1.

Hopefully we will see more NiQuitin-like sponsors, but as far as F1 and the teams are concerned, its simply money, and it doesnt matter where it comes from. Williams still made a big deal about it, although they thought of money more than the image of an anti-smoking team, but its good they did, now hopefully other teams and companies will follow on.

We can all hope.

Bernie, when motor racing was brilliant and pure, cars drove around good driving tracks, and people watched.
Now, people sit in well designed buildings, around a financially efficiant, easy to view peice of road, where to worlds best cars drive around, sweeping up the money as they go.

[ASCII Man]

Originally posted by golem
Please don't be playing cruel jokes like this... Oh damn it, I'm now hoping inside this is true.

Is it?

Yes, it's true.

Said it before but can't find my thread where i posted it a while ago...