Racers on Circuit Gilles Villeneuve dive into the physical, twin-turn Senna Corner praying that they’ll emerge at the exit with the same number of parts on their cars as when they entered. It’s with a similar cautious optimism that NASCAR promoters hope to hear an encouraging word from the provincial government this week about a request that will keep the sport in Montreal for another five years. Stock-Car Montral, a subsidiary of giant U.S. track owner and race promoter International Speedway Corp., wants a $500,000 Quebec grant to keep the NASCAR Nationwide Series running on the island circuit of Jean Drapeau Park. The federal government is said to be willing to pony up an equal sum for 2012, the two bodies then presumably writing an annual cheque of that sum for the balance of a long-term, probably five-year contract. This Thursday marks the closing of Stock-Car Montral’s exclusive negotiation window with Jean Drapeau Park. As of Friday, any race body or promoter could speak with the park about securing the site’s second race weekend – Formula One’s Canadian Grand Prix is the other.(Montreal Gazette)(6-28-2011)
UPDATE: Canada’s only NASCAR race might be in jeopardy. The Quebec government on Wednesday rejected developer Francois Dumontier’s request for $1 million in government assistance, half each from Quebec and Ottawa, to help offset an anticipated $1.6 million deficit. “The developer has not satisfactorily proven to the Department of Tourism that it would be profitable for them to invest in the event,” Isabelle Lord, spokeswoman for Tourism Minister Nicole Menard, said. This funding shortfall likely means August’s Nationwide Series race will be the end of NASCAR racing at the Gilles Villeneuve track on Montreal’s Ile Notre-Dame. The city of Montreal’s contract with International Speedway Corporation and its promoter expired June 30. It is the only such event in the country. (Associated Press/ESPN.com)(7-6-2011)
