Canadian GP back for 2004 + new race timetable

[FourWheelDrift]

Canada looks set to return to the 2004 Formula 1 calendar. The World Council announced a revised schedule following today's meeting, and Montreal's race has been granted a provisional date.

Full calendar below.

2004 Formula 1 World Championship calendar
Australia (Melbourne) March 7
Malaysia (Sepang) March 21
Bahrain (Bahrain)** April 4
San Marino (Imola) April 25
Spain (Barcelona) May 9
Monaco (Monte Carlo) May 23
Europe (Nurburgring) May 30
Canada (Montreal)*** June 13
USA (Indianapolis) June 20
Great Britain (Silverstone) July 4
France (Magny-Cours)* July 11
Germany (Hockenheim) July 25
Hungary (Budapest) August 15
Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps)** August 29
Italy (Monza) September 12
China (Shanghai)** September 26
Japan (Suzuka) October 10
Brazil (Interlagos) October 24

* Provisional (subject to contract)
** Provisional (Subject to circuit approval)
***Subject to a satisfactory to financial agreement with competing teams regarding the absence of tobacco sponsorship

Race Weekend
The FIA have also released the new weekend timetable, Friday free test session and qualifying has been dropped in favour of two one-hour free practice periods. Friday qualifying has also gone, to make way for a new procedure on Saturday which will feature two separate runs for each car.

Friday
Free practice – 11.00-12.00
Free practice – 14.00-15.00

Saturday
Free practice – 10.00-10.45
Free practice – 11.15-12.00
Qualifying – 14.00

Sunday
Race – 14.00 (or at other times according to relevant schedule)

[condor]

Looks like the Canadian GP is back on

www.cbc.ca/pcgi-bin/templates/sportsView.cgi?/news/2003/11/18/Sports/cangrandprix031118

CBC SPORTS ONLINE - The Canadian Grand Prix is officially back on the schedule for the 2004 Formula One season.

Promoter Normand Legault made the official announcement on Tuesday afternoon in Montreal.

Formula One had pulled the race from its calendar for 2004 when new anti-tobacco laws came into effect in Canada on Oct. 1.

"We are happy to have reached such a conclusion when in August we estimated our chances to have Formula One with us again to be rather slim," Legault said in a statement.

"For the Canadian Grand Prix team, the bulk of work now remains to be done, to prepare and sell the event and to ensure in large part the compensation payment to the teams."

Legault, supported by the federal and provincial governments, will compensate the race's 10 teams to run in Montreal on June 13 without tobacco sponsorship. Formula One reportedly will receive $20 million US to pay teams for racing unbranded cars.

"We eagerly await this event, which is among the most treasured in the championship," said Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone in a statement.

The federal and Quebec governments will each contribute $6 million and Labatt will give $5 million to sponsor the event.

The compensation only applies to the 2004 race and the deal between Legault and Ecclestone says cars will race unbranded in Montreal until the end of the contract in 2006.

Organizers of the Montreal-based Grand Prix did not ask the government to yield on the anti-tobacco law as part of their efforts to keep the popular and lucrative race, acknowledging it already had a seven-year grace period.

[gary_tholl]

So, who's coming over for it???

I'm hoping to be there this year, as I have told myself 'Next year' for too long, and since we just about lost it, it made me realize that I have to go this time.

Come on over, Montreal's a rocking city...

Gary