How Toronto Lost Canadian GP

[TedN]

Interesting Read. (http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1086905411682&call_pageid=968867497088&col=969048871196)

Ted

[Shadow]

I think the Eaton/Bassett idea surfaced in about 1968. Long Beach didn't hold its first race until the 1976. So, their idea was not generated by the success of Long Beach as Norris implies. Remember that Baton was BAssett and eaTON and the money in that venture was more Eaton than Bassett. Of course, they ended up with CFTO TV and control of CTV - pity they sold since Bell with its control of CTV and TSN sure isn't a model for autoracing support. I have to ask why the race today wasn't on CTV network instead of TSN. of course, next week it will not be on a national US network either - just Speed. Given the number of spectators who turn up for these races one wonders why these events are relegated to cable/dish channels?


"Meantime, the late John Bassett Jr. (Johnny F. to his friends), son of the legendary publisher of the old Toronto Telegram, and George Eaton, race-driving son of the department store Eatons, came up with what they thought was a terrific idea. Two of the most famous auto races in the world were held through the streets of cities — Monaco and Long Beach — and Bassett/Eaton proposed that Toronto close off Lake Shore Blvd. West for two weekends a year so they could promote the F1 Canadian Grand Prix and the Telegram Trophy Race for Indy car."