No 2009 Canadian Grand Prix

[bovic]

They're bluffing..

[winer]

Ecclestone has said there is "a contract problem", but to my knowledge the Montreal organizers of the race have not admitted to knowing anything about a problem. The organizers apparently thought they had a contract through 2011.

[winer]

They're bluffing..

Apparently not. The latest seems to be that the decision is final.

[rickos]

The track was falling apart at the last race. The asphalt was new but made from ingredients found under Tiger Stadium in Detroit where Jimmy Hoffa's body parts caused the tar to melt at a lower temperature than expected.
The midget dodo bird who runs F1 wants more $$ for the licensing fee as well as a track that will not have chunks of asphalt flying into his presidential suite at track-side and possibly interrupting the orgy that he and Mad Max enjoy every race.

[Datsun 2000]

First the USGP bites the dust-not so hard to understand as the IMS and Indianapolis never really embraced or fully appreciated F1-now, unforgivably, Bernie shafts Montreal and the entire North American fan base. I attended all 8 USGP's and had a regular pattern attending the Grand Prix du Canada every other year as well. Montreal was an amazing host city and the track always produced exciting racing and provided a magnificent natural setting. Apparently the interest of the F1 fans in North American cannot hold a candle to the might of middle east oil money when it comes to determining host sites for races. Memo to Bernie: Why drag it out? Let's take Spa, Monaco, and Silverstone off the calendar next year also. Add Saudi Arabia, Iraq (Haliburton will build the track on a no bid contract), and Kuwait. Bernie seems not to care (perhaps he just doesn't know) that the fan base and supporters of F1 are primarily in western Europe and North America and that he is quickly and completely disenfranchising us.

[leopard]

If happens, this will be encouraging Datsun to enter F1 alongside Leopard.

[ArrowsFA1]

Formula One team principals are set to hold talks about ways to get the Canadian Grand Prix back on the calendar in 2009, autosport.com has learned.

Honda Racing CEO Nick Fry told autosport.com: "I don't think it is a short-term problem, but it is a problem that does need to be addressed. We are a global series and not to be performing in one of the major continents is a serious problem - even more so because it is a continent that is very important for the motor manufacturers who are involved in F1."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/71237

[Datsun 2000]

Details, speculation, facts?:
http://formula-one.speedtv.com/artic...promoter-says/

[Easy Drifter]

The problem now seems to be money. The track needs repaving and the organizers cannot afford that and the Demented Midget's annual 10% fee increase.
The Quebec Govt. has announced they are studying the economic impact the race has on Quebec and Mtl. in paticular but they may be willing to contribute depending on the results.
We are in the middle of a Federal election (next Tues.) so Federal aid is a big question mark.
The Bloc (a Quebec only party) and the Liberals would probably support aid if The Quebec Govt. does. The Conserveratives (the current minority Govt.) might. The Dippers (NDP) and the Greens probably not.
The election is too close to call, although the Conservatives have a polling lead. Their is a good chance of another minority and then it is anybodys guess in these economic times.
If the race is bailed out it might just be in August which would be a slap at NAPCAR and the Nationwide series.

[ArrowsFA1]

Details, speculation, facts?:
http://formula-one.speedtv.com/artic...promoter-says/

The interesting part of that for me was this:

"For an organization like ours, which is to say a private promoter, the actual business model implemented by the owners and the Formula 1 teams is no longer feasible.”

Increasingly if anywhere wants a GP it needs government backing, and it seems as if Montreal government officials are going to do what they can:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/71253