Rio Champ Car race: It’s off...again

After Maia had suspended it last week, the race had originally appeared to have been saved by Rio's state governor Anthony Garotinho, who said his government would underwrite the event to the tune of over £1.3 million. But Maia has invoked a new law which prevents any high-ranked official from bringing new debts to the city.

When the race was first held in 1996, CART's asking price was £800,000, but it is now believed to require over £3.5 million from the event's organisers to host the race. According to a statement from city solicitor general Julio Rebello Horta, the city's government might even pursue legal action against CART to recoup money from such increases over previous years.

"The contract has to have a justification to have it magnified from $1.2 million to $5.3 million," he said. "If the city arrives at the conclusion that the increases had been without reason, they may file legal action to recover the increases paid in past years."

The 500cc Brazilian motor bike Grand Prix, which was scheduled to take place at the venue in November, has also been cancelled for similar reasons.