©1997 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc.
By Dan Proudfoot
Player's quitting racing may turn out be like a smoker swearing offthe weed - not necessarily final.
Imperial Tobacco, Player's parent, announced Friday it is dropping allcultural and sports sponsorships after 1998 as a result of thefederal government failing to deliver its promised amendment allowingtobacco companies' logos on racing cars.
At issue now is whether this is a ploy, intended to hurry or broadenthe amendment, or really a done deal. Unquestionably, Player'spresident J.P. Blais seemed sincere in his distress when he explainedSunday night that a decision had to be made.
"Our team right now must be looking at which chassis and which engineit will commit to for the 1999 season," Blais said ofPlayer's/Forsythe Racing. "This is not like getting a group offriends together to go go-karting. It's commitment and investment.For that reason we cannot wait and wait."
When the government response was that it won't be bullied, we wereassured of continuing, excruciating doubt.
Player's drivers Greg Moore, Patrick Carpentier, Lee Bentham andAlexandre Tagliani are to be in Toronto Thursday for a newsconference. They will tell reporters their careers are in doubtbeyond 1998. Fans will voice their displeasure, pressuring thegovernment.
"We are committed to a beautiful season in 1998 so nobody will loseanything," Blais said. "Everyone will be in a position to negotiatewith any team for 1999.
This is hard for Player's because we're pulling out of activities inwhich we have made heavy investments."
But the promised amendment is coming, in the opinion of the MolsonIndy and Championship Auto Racing Teams, Inc. If it comes inFebruary, as expected, Player's could then declare that the newsituation allows it to continue in motorsport. Or not.
"We're pretty confident," Mike Smith, Molstar vice-president,properties, said of the amendment yesterday. "Things have beendelayed a bit, but we have an ongoing dialogue (with governmentofficials) and feel confident that the federal government will allowcars and drivers to appear with tobacco names and logos."
CART had said it would pull its races out of Canada if tobaccosponsors were forced to blank out their names, as in Formula Oneraces in Germany and France.
In any event, the Molson Indy is not threatened by the Player'spullout. "It's a big hit, but the Molson Indy in Toronto andVancouver will continue," Smith said of the tobacco company's$1.5-million involvement in the two races. "We'll continue lookingfor new sponsors. I suspect it'll take two or three to recoup theloss."
And if Player's was to reverse its decision? "If the law is changed,or a longer phase-in instituted, which would be ideal, so Player'shas a different situation, we'd certainly be happy to take them back.We'd certainly not close that door."
Montreal's Canadian Grand Prix faces a more challenging sponsorsearch. As title sponsor of the Formula One race, Player's investmentaverages $4 million over a five-year contract running from 1997through 2001. "We have been talking to other companies aboutsponsorship,' said spokesperson Richard Prieur. "Whether any of themcould afford to be title sponsor is another question."
Source: Canada Online, used by permission