Canadian GP Protest Fails to Ignite

Organisers of the Canadian Grand Prix remain upbeat despite suffering a disappointing turn-out of less than 200 people at a demonstration against the cancellation of next year's event.

Formula One commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone confirmed last week that the race would be dropped from next year's calendar because of the introduction of a ban on tobacco advertising.

The Government have insisted they will not back down but local businesses, who stand to lose out significantly in revenue from the race, took the opportunity to fight for it to be reinstated.

The chief executive of the Grand Prix Normand Legault was present at the protest and said: "I don't think Montrealers have given up whether they are here or not. The whole world hasn't given up on us, there's still hope."

Demonstration organiser and local restaurant owner Alain Creton had just three days to prepare for the event and he believes the turn-out is not representative of the true feeling in Montreal.

"Bernie Ecclestone is taking away our Grand Prix and selling it somewhere else for more money," he said. "This was a spontaneous reaction and it doesn't mean support is not there."

The race, which attracts 300,000 visitors to the Canadian city, is said to bring in $75 million (USD) and the group is trying to convince Formula One teams to race without showing tobacco sponsorship on their cars.

They have the backing of the city's mayor Gerald Tremblay, who attended the demonstration.

"We have to convince the manufacturers that it is in their interest to support the Grand Prix in Montreal," he said.