Clash resolved by default: Le Mans dumped
24/2/2001 18:45 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) -
AVESCO has won its scheduling battle with the American Le Mans Series by default after the Adelaide race was today ceremoniously dumped.
AVESCO will take sole ownership of the December 2 weekend following the South Australian Government’s decision not to go ahead with this year’s Le Mans race. The shock announcement comes despite the success of the inaugural event on New Year’s Eve last year.
The government cites the need for improved health funding for the cancellation of the multi-million dollar, largely tax payer-funded event.
AVESCO Chairman Tony Cochrane and American Le Mans founder Don Panoz had locked horns earlier in the year over the scheduling clash between the season-ending Sandown Raceway Supercar event and the Le Mans race.
The V8 Supercar Clipsal 500 is now the only event that will make use of the acclaimed Adelaide street course.
The South Australian Opposition has called the handling of the sudden cancellation a shambles, after investors, organisers and Don Panoz himself were kept in the dark as to the decision until the eleventh hour. Adelaide Le Mans organisers are yet to make a formal statement.
Perth could prove to be Panoz’s saviour by hosting the Australian leg of the Asia-Pacific Series in the future. It is extremely doubtful whether this could occur this year.
|
|
