Tobacco compromise secures Spa future

(20-Oct-98) - The future of the world's most challenging road circuit on
the Grand Prix calendar looks to be secure for the next few years.

The Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps has a confirmed place for 1999,
despite a tobacco advertising ban in Belgium that came close to causing the
cancellation of the 1998 race.

Belgian race organisers have succeeded in finding a way around the federal
law that imposes a nation-wide tobacco advertising and sponsorship ban. It
is understood that the Spa race is to be run under the law and constitution
of the French-speaking part of Belgium, which would allow the organiser to
declare a duty-free area.

This means the cars can run in full tobacco livery, a requirement of the
contract between F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone and Spa. Ecclestone has a
controlling interest in the race.

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