Wealthy ISC wants poor Montreal citizens to pay for their promotion

UPDATE ISC wants the state / national governments to pay for its lack of promotion. An annual $1/2 million would be one of the largest marketing/advertising budgets for a promoter in the entire Nationwide series.

To put it in perspective, assuming an overall sales tax/ bed tax of 10% and the average amount a new attendee spent in Montreal was $750 per person, they would need draw an extra 6,500 spectators from amongst the "`NASCAR is the American middle-class,' said Pierre Bellerose, vice-president of Tourisme Montreal. `The F1, that's the international jet-setter.'"

It is really amazing that the France family believes it is entitled to government largess for a race which loses money. Why doesn't Lesa France and Jim France, personally, just get out there and sell tickets one-on-one? It's hard work, but someone has to do it … might as well be the CEO and Chairman of the company.

08/27/10 The [filthy rich] organization that operates NASCAR races in Montreal is asking the federal and provincial governments for $1 million to help improve the races in the city.

The International Speedway Corporation (ISC) is asking for the money for two years to help provide greater visibility for the Gilles-Villeneuve course among U.S. clients, QMI Agency has learned.

Francois Dumontier, Montreal's NASCAR and Formula 1 promoter, would not confirm the request for funding, but he acknowledged there is a plan to give Montreal better visibility in the racing world.

"We want to do a promotion on the American courses to attract people here," said Dumontier. "ISC is the owner of 12 other courses and holds a hundred races across the United States. This direct promotion can be very efficient."

So why should the governments make a financial contribution to the effort?

"Like all events starting out, there is education to be done in Montreal," said Dumontier. "We want to work closely with local officials."

However, NASCAR draws fewer tourists to Montreal than Formula 1.

"NASCAR is the American middle-class," said Pierre Bellerose, vice-president of Tourisme Montreal. "The F1, that's the international jet-setter."

“For now, it's more visibility than anything else," said Bellerose. "But it's important."

Raymond Bachand, Quebec's minister of finance, said that the 2009 NASCAR Montreal numbers were average for a recession.

"We will look at the results from this year to provide an answer this fall, probably," said Bachand.

He said Quebec might fork over some funding.

"I am never opposed when an event helps develop Quebec and attracts tourism. After that, you have to look at the numbers and be meticulous. We will study this. I will meet the organizers next week."

The last Formula 1 event generated $75 million for the city's economy, as European tourists packed hotels, restaurants and other businesses. Slam! Sports