Post by Salem6 on Oct 7, 2004 17:07:09 GMT
LONDON (Reuters) - A little-known consortium linked to former world champion Nigel Mansell says it has agreed a long-term deal to save the British Formula One Grand Prix.
Spot the tobacco advert 
A little-known consortium linked to former world champion Nigel Mansell says it has agreed a long-term deal to save the British Formula One Grand Prix. Ferrari drivers Michael Schumacher of Germany (L) and Rubens Barrichello of Brazil (C) turn into the Copse corner with Britain's BAR Honda driver Jenson Button (R) during the British Grand Prix at the Silverstone race track in Northamptonshire, in 2004. REUTERS/Darren Staples
"We have agreed with (Formula One supremo) Bernie Ecclestone to sign a seven-year F1 Grand Prix licence for Britain," motor racing entrepreneur Kim Cockburn told BBC radio on Thursday.
"We have sent our proposals to the BRDC (British Racing Drivers' Club), we share the BRDC's vision to develop and deliver the masterplan that will make sure that Silverstone stays firmly on the map for the years to come," she said.
Ecclestone said last week that the race had been struck off the provisional calendar because the BRDC, which owns the Silverstone circuit, could not meet his terms to promote the grand prix.
The BRDC confirmed in a statement that it had been approached by Brand Synergy Ltd, headed by Cockburn, with an offer to act as promoter for the race.
It said, however, that there had been "no independent verification of financial backing for their proposal."
The BBC said 1992 champion Mansell had joined forces with the company, whose members included former British Touring Car champion Robb Gravett and Formula One veteran David Phipps.
www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml?type=sportsNews&storyID=6439938&src=eDialog/GetContent§ion=news