Save Spa-Franchorchamps

To:  Bernie Ecclestone

We the undersigned, do petition for the right of the Spa-Franchorchamps racing circuit to be included in the Formula One racing schedule as long as the circuit does exist, regardless of anti-tobacco legislation by the government of Belgium. It is arguably one of the best circuits in the world from a perspective of the driver and the race fan, because of the fabulous Eau Rouge corner.

Let it be noted that several circuits are already under a tobacco ban, and have been highly successful for years. They include Britain, France and Germany, and a one-team limit sponsor ban is in effect in the United States, forcing Ferrari to be without Marlboro’s sponsorship. With the possible exception of Montreal and Monza, Italy, these races have the highest attendance of race fans. Clearly the money from Tobacco is not necessary to fill the grandstands. Let it also be noted that all Tobacco advertisement in Formula One is to be eliminated by the year 2006.

Montreal’s race event has been sponsored by a national Airline for several years now, after Player’s Tobacco withdrew its sponsorship of the event. It is easily one of the highest attended races on the Formula One calendar.

In closing, we ask that Mr. Bernie Ecclestone stop his threats to remove one of Formula One’s best racing events from the Formula One Calendar, for the sake of a few sales of cigarettes over the next three years of racing. Why should Belgium be penalized for anti-tobacco legislation when Britain, France, and Germany, and the United States are not? Clearly this is all about money and not the value of entertainment for the fans. Don’t take your fans opinions lightly, strength exists in numbers, you’d be far better off with them on your side. Mr. Ecclestone; do allow Spa-Franchorchamps to remain as a Formula One event, regardless of tobacco legislation, as long as the circuit does exist.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Save Spa-Franchorchamps Petition to Bernie Ecclestone was created by F1 fans and written by John Ross Harvey (jrharv2001@yahoo.com).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.