The Checkered Flag for Racing In Canada

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The Checkered Flag for Racing In Canada
©1997 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc.
C-71 bill to drive international racing elsewhere
By ANNE DAWSON -- Ottawa Sun
OTTAWA — The checkered flag has been dropped on Indy Car racing in Canada.
"It's done," Molstar president Brent Scrimshaw said after making his caseto the Senate yesterday for changes to the government's tough anti-smokinglaw. "Take that to the bank. We announced that today. It's a fact of life.It's over.
"Indy Car has really no option but to say, `Look, Toronto and Vancouver,we love ya' but Boston and Seattle will have to do." He said 1998 will be Toronto's last race and this summer will be the lastrace for Vancouver.
Scrimshaw told the committee his industry's boss, Andrew Craig, is deadlyserious when he said he'll move his Toronto and Vancouver Molson Indy racesto the U.S. if the government doesn't back off when it comes to tobaccosponsorships.
"Without an amendment to the Canadian legislation that would permitinternational events such as the CART/Indy Car series to operate in Canadaas it does in every other country, we would not be in a position to bringour event to Canada," said Scrimshaw, quoting a letter from Craig.
TOUGH STANCE
Craig has made similar threats before, but this is his toughest stanceyet. The Molson Indy races bring $27 million worth of economic spinoffs toToronto and $20 million to Vancouver.
Scrimshaw told the committee his industry needs to be able to allowtobacco companies to advertise their name in international motorsport races.The legislation prohibits this advertising.
"What we've put in front of the Senate committee today could be describedas a survival amendment," Scrimshaw said. "It is the very base needed forinternational racing in Canada."
Scrimshaw suggested Buffalo might be an alternative site for the Torontorace, although he said New York officials haven't been approached. Houstonalso is interested, he added.
Leon Methot, chairman and GM of the Grand Prix Player's Ltd. of TroisRivieres, said similar anti-tobacco legislation in the U.S., which is goesinto effect in 1998, may never see the light of day. It's being challengedin court and auto racers believe they'll have a grace period of up to 10years to keep racing before there's a final ruling, he said.
But Tory Senator Gerald Beaudoin pointed out Ottawa's legislation also islikely to be challenged in court, so there would be a grace period here too.
Source: Canadian Online Explorer


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		The Checkered Flag for Racing In Canada ©1997 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc. C-71 bill to drive international racing elsewhere By ANNE DAWSON -- Ottawa Sun OTTAWA — The checkered flag has been dropped on Indy Car racing in Canada. "It's done," Molstar president Brent Scrimshaw said after making his caseto the Senate yesterday for changes to the government's tough anti-smokinglaw. "Take that to the bank. We announced that today. It's a fact of life.It's over. "Indy Car has really no option but to say, `Look, Toronto and Vancouver,we love ya' but Boston and Seattle will have to do." He said 1998 will be Toronto's last race and this summer will be the lastrace for Vancouver. Scrimshaw told the committee his industry's boss, Andrew Craig, is deadlyserious when he said he'll move his Toronto and Vancouver Molson Indy racesto the U.S. if the government doesn't back off when it comes to tobaccosponsorships. "Without an amendment to the Canadian legislation that would permitinternational events such as the CART/Indy Car series to operate in Canadaas it does in every other country, we would not be in a position to bringour event to Canada," said Scrimshaw, quoting a letter from Craig. TOUGH STANCE Craig has made similar threats before, but this is his toughest stanceyet. The Molson Indy races bring $27 million worth of economic spinoffs toToronto and $20 million to Vancouver. Scrimshaw told the committee his industry needs to be able to allowtobacco companies to advertise their name in international motorsport races.The legislation prohibits this advertising. "What we've put in front of the Senate committee today could be describedas a survival amendment," Scrimshaw said. "It is the very base needed forinternational racing in Canada." Scrimshaw suggested Buffalo might be an alternative site for the Torontorace, although he said New York officials haven't been approached. Houstonalso is interested, he added. Leon Methot, chairman and GM of the Grand Prix Player's Ltd. of TroisRivieres, said similar anti-tobacco legislation in the U.S., which is goesinto effect in 1998, may never see the light of day. It's being challengedin court and auto racers believe they'll have a grace period of up to 10years to keep racing before there's a final ruling, he said. But Tory Senator Gerald Beaudoin pointed out Ottawa's legislation also islikely to be challenged in court, so there would be a grace period here too. Source: Canadian Online Explorer