Industry News
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<< December 07
News for 4th January 2008
Terrorism threat leads to Dakar Rally cancellation
The French based Amaury Sport Organisation has cancelled the 2008 Dakar Rally, which was due to start in Lisbon, Portugal on Saturday, due to concerns over the security of the event in Mauritania where four French tourists were killed by suspected terrorists in December.
The decision was taken by the event organiser after it was warned of a “terrorist risk” if the rally followed its planned route.
A statement released by ASO said, "Based on the current international political tension and the murder of four French tourists last 28th of December linked to a branch of Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb, but also and mainly the direct threats launched directly against the race by terrorist organisations, no other decision but the cancellation of the sporting event could be taken by ASO.
"ASO's first responsibility is to guarantee the safety of all: that of the populations in the countries visited, of the amateur and professional competitors, of the technical assistance personnel, of the journalists, partners and rally collaborators. ASO therefore reaffirms that the choice of security is not, has never been and will never be a subject of compromise at the heart of the Dakar rally.
"ASO condemns the terrorist menace that annihilates a year of hard work, engagement and passion for all the participants and the different actors of the world's biggest off-road rally.
"Aware of the huge frustration, especially in Portugal, Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal, and beyond the general disappointment and the huge economical consequences in terms of direct and indirect repercussions for the countries visited, A.S.O. will continue to defend the major values of great sporting events and will carry on its engagement for a durable development through the Actions Dakar, started 5 years ago in sub-Saharan Africa with SOS Sahel International.
"The Dakar is a symbol and nothing can destroy symbols. The cancellation of the 2008 edition does not endanger the future of the Dakar. To offer, for 2009 a new adventure to all the off-road rally passionate is a challenge that A.S.O. will take on in the months to come, faithful to its engagement and its passion for sports."
Chinese F1 GP executive jailed
Yu Zhifei, the former deputy general manager of the Shangahi International Race circuit, which has staged the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix since 2004, has been jailed for four years after being found guilty of embezzling public funds.
According to a report by the AFP news agency Yu was also fined 300,000 yuan in the verdict announced by the Intermediate People's Court in Wuhu city in the eastern province of Anhui.
The AFP story says that Yu spent seven years as chairman of Shanghai Shenhua Football Club from 1994, during which he allegedly embezzled 800,000 yuan from the club in 1997 and 250,000 yuan in 1999 before he became the DGM of the Shanghai F1 track, where he embezzled 1.05 million yuan (around $140,000 dollars) in order to buy a house. He was arrested in January 2007 and expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) in May.
Silverstone circuit wins road safety award
The UK’s Silverstone race circuit has won an international road safety award for its involvement with a course for young drivers.
The 20th annual Road Safety Awards gave a commendation award to Silverstone for hosting the CarKraft Young Driver Improvement Scheme, which is organised by Northants County Council and Northants Police to provide training for young drivers aged between 17 and 24.
CarKraft is a free day aimed at reducing the number of young people who die or who are seriously injured on Northants' roads. It is partly funded by safety camera fines.
Steve Deeks, CarKraft presenter and co-ordinator, said, "Silverstone is proud of its part in this ground-breaking scheme. Safety campaigner PC John Spencer and his dedicated team from Northants Police and the county council have managed to reduce road-related deaths and serious injuries in the county by an amazing 45% in the last four years."
Suzuki WRC team appoints new technical manager
The Suzuki World Rally Team which competes in the FIA World Rally Championship has appointed Shusuke Inagaki as its new technical manager.
Formerly the chief engineer of the Mitsubishi World Rally Championship team, Inagaki replaces Michel Nandan who joined SWRT in November 2006. Frenchman Nandan was previously with the Peugeot Sport WRC team and on joining Suzuki was tasked with the development of the all-new Suzuki SX4 WRCcar, which made its debut on the 2007 Rallye de France-Tour de Corse and on the season ending, Wales Rally GB.
Profits slump for US circuit operator
The US based race circuit owner and operator Speedway Motorsports Inc in Concord, North Carolina has posted $13.6 million loss for the third trading quarter of 2007.
The loss - $4.7 million lower than the equivalent period in 2006 – is the first posted by SMI since 2004 and is attributed to losses at its subsidiary Motorsports Authentics, a joint merchandising venture with rival track owner International Speedway Corp.
According to SMI had it not been for the Motorsports Authentics losses, the company would have made a $4.4 million profit.