Cancelled racing spectacular is wrong formula for Wallonia

Date: 17/04/03

By Geseth Todd

THE economic situation in Belgium's Wallonia region provides a taste of what life might be like if Formula One quits Europe over the upcoming tobacco advertising ban.

After Belgium rejected calls to lift its early imposition of the ban last year, the motor sports organising body, International Automobile Federation (FIA), decided to pull out of its Spa-Fracorchamps Grand Prix fixture this year.

The decision has dealt a massive blow to the region, which relies heavily on the tourism revenues generated by the racing weekend.

Created in 1920, the Spa-Francorchamps circuit is one of the oldest in Europe, with an F1 Grand Prix history spanning more than 50 years.

The Belgian course takes advantage of the triangle formed by roads connecting Stavelot, Malmedy and Francorchamps in the province of Liège.

Once Belgium's economic backbone, the province's financial focus has now shifted from mining to tourism.

Jean-Paul Aubinet, Stavelot's assistant mayor in charge of tourism and economy, fears the economic impact of not holding the event this year will mean a loss of up to €l25 million in revenues for the area immediately surrounding the course alone.

According to Aubinet, the hotel and lodging sector in and around Spa has lost some 40 of its annual bookings.

"We recognize that the government does not want tobacco advertising, it's a political and economic problem."

Nevertheless, Aubinet is hopeful that the ruling may be overturned after the upcoming Belgian elections on 18 May, and would like to see the EU's original 2006 deadline reinstated.

He knows, however, that if the Greens return to power [they are currently part of premier Guy Verhofstadt's 'rainbow coalition'] it will be extremely difficult.

Despite this, the assistant mayor is optimistic that the Spa-Francorchamps circuit will be back on the F1 calendar for 2004.

"The Belgian Formula One Grand Prix touches everyone within a 20 kilometre radius of the circuit.

"It has a massive impact on Wallonia's and Belgium's image. Everyone is upset that it will not happen this year but we are positive about the future."

The FIA has warned that other European regions may face a similar plight if the Commission refuses to overturn its decision to bring the tobacco advertising ban forward to 2005.

THE economic situation in Belgium's Wallonia region provides a taste of what life might be like if Formula One quits Europe over the upcoming tobacco advertising ban.