Jenna Fryer · @JennaFryer
5th Oct 2012 from Twitlonger
Full text, I've not edited a thing:
Octane Management inc. confirmed today that it has relinquished its rights
to organize and promote a round of the NASCAR Nationwide series in Montreal in 2013. Consequently, the event known as the NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge is not scheduled for presentation at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, next summer. A few days ago, the promoter has officially informed NASCAR of its decision, justified by the belief that in its current status, the event cannot be profitable. It has also been justified by the fact that the NASCAR informed the promoter that awarding him the rights to host a Sprint Cup race was not possible in the near or distant future. The NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge was part of the Montréal summer events calendar since 2007.
‘’It was a very difficult decision to make. Year after year, with great enthusiasm, our team has invested
itself, body and soul, in order to make a success of this NASCAR weekend at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. But under the previous management and our own in 2012, the event remained non profitable, therefore we had to be realistic and conclude that the NASCAR main event on our weekend program doesn’t have the kind of appeal that could generate the requested revenues, said François Dumontier, President and CEO of Octane Management.
Over the years, the event has been highly rated and in the area of recognition, it has been undoubtedly
successful. Taking into account all the good things said and wrote about the organizers, the location and its scenery, the local fans and the host city, we can be satisfied. Media representatives, teams and
drivers and NASCAR officials comments make us proud of our work. We also humbly consider that this
work has contributed each summer to deliver from Montreal, to the North American fans whether they
were in our grandstands or in front of their TV screens, one of the most exciting races of the season. This fact can be easily verified by the ratings registered and the comments made every year by the most
important media ‘’, added Dumontier.
For Octane Management, in order to maintain NASCAR’s presence in Montreal, it was clearly necessary to obtain a Sprint Cup race within a few years. Over the months, the promoter made NASCAR aware of its intention and went on with a formal request. NASCAR finally replied that it was impossible to add another weekend to its Sprint Cup schedule or move a race currently scheduled to another location; and that consequently, Montreal had to renounce to its ambition.
‘’I must admit that NASCAR’s final answer is extremely disappointing. We can understand how difficult it could be to modify the Sprint Cup schedule, but we still believe that we deserved higher consideration.
Especially since we have often been told that the annual Montreal event was very important to NASCAR. We remain convinced that the presence of the Sprint Cup at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve would have brought a much larger crowd, as our track usually generates a spectacular race and with its anticipated success, would have offered a larger recognition at the international level to the series and to NASCAR, also said Octane Management President and CEO.
Before we conclude, I consider important to thank NAPA and Dodge who have been precious and loyal
partners since 2007; and Economic Development Canada, Tourism Québec, the City of Montreal and
Tourism Montreal for their financial support. We also thank all NASCAR representatives with whom we
worked over the years and most certainly, all motorsports fans who honoured our invitation and for six
years, came over to live the event at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.’’