Watkins Glen 6hrs DP Race in Doubt
06-02-2006, 10:04 AM
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Watkins Glen 6hrs DP Race in Doubt
Racing, 17 year old drivers, tabbaco sponsorship and the courts. 
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Watkins Glen 6hrs DP Race in Doubt Print E-mail
Friday, 02 June 2006
It has been a very confusing and hectic day at Watkins Glen International Raceway. 17-year old Colin Braun has been not allowed to participate in this weekend’s Sahlens’s Six Hours of the Glen. The issue is between the Indy Racing League and Watkins Glen International, which prohibits competitors under 18, such as Braun, from participating in any on-track activities at the same racing facility on the same weekend that the IRL is also competing due to the tobacco advertisements present on the two Penske Racing Marlboro-baked entries of Helio Castroneves and ’06 Indy 500 Champion Sam Hornish Jr. Team owner Tracy Krohn has brought the battle to the courts and won the case today in the state of New York Court. However, the defendants, Phillip Morris, put out an appeal late Thursday. The appeal will be heard on Friday Morning and a decision is expected by midday on Friday.
The first practice session of the weekend was originally scheduled for Thursday afternoon but was delayed to Thursday evening. When the appeal was lodged, Grand American officials were only allowed to let the GT cars go out for the session leaving all of the DP machines parked.
"It is important to point out that Krohn Racing and Colin Braun are well within their rights to take this action," said Grand American President Roger Edmondson. "It is also unfortunate that the rest of our Daytona Prototype teams must wait until Friday for a decision on the status of their event. However, we must respect both the decision of the court as well as our race promoter, and are prepared to alter our plans if necessary."
There are two possible scenarios floating around the Watkins Glen paddock tonight on how to run the weekend, although neither are officially confirmed as possibilities.
If Tracy Krohn wins the appeal tomorrow, Colin Braun will be allowed to compete but the Six Hours could become a GT only event, while the DP’s could race on Monday in a three hour event, where Braun will be allowed to compete because Penske’s two Marlboro sponsored cars will be off track premises.
If Penske/Phillip Morris win the appeal, then the Six Hours could be a combined GT and DP race on Saturday as originally planned, but Colin Braun will not be able to compete.
The-Paddock.net’s Paul Metzger-Oke will be making his way to the track tomorrow for weekend coverage and will have the latest then. Stay tuned, this story is far from over.
Source: http://www.the-paddock.net/content/view/240185/1/
Again the REAL race starts WAY BEFORE the green flag.
-----
Watkins Glen 6hrs DP Race in Doubt Print E-mail
Friday, 02 June 2006
It has been a very confusing and hectic day at Watkins Glen International Raceway. 17-year old Colin Braun has been not allowed to participate in this weekend’s Sahlens’s Six Hours of the Glen. The issue is between the Indy Racing League and Watkins Glen International, which prohibits competitors under 18, such as Braun, from participating in any on-track activities at the same racing facility on the same weekend that the IRL is also competing due to the tobacco advertisements present on the two Penske Racing Marlboro-baked entries of Helio Castroneves and ’06 Indy 500 Champion Sam Hornish Jr. Team owner Tracy Krohn has brought the battle to the courts and won the case today in the state of New York Court. However, the defendants, Phillip Morris, put out an appeal late Thursday. The appeal will be heard on Friday Morning and a decision is expected by midday on Friday.
The first practice session of the weekend was originally scheduled for Thursday afternoon but was delayed to Thursday evening. When the appeal was lodged, Grand American officials were only allowed to let the GT cars go out for the session leaving all of the DP machines parked.
"It is important to point out that Krohn Racing and Colin Braun are well within their rights to take this action," said Grand American President Roger Edmondson. "It is also unfortunate that the rest of our Daytona Prototype teams must wait until Friday for a decision on the status of their event. However, we must respect both the decision of the court as well as our race promoter, and are prepared to alter our plans if necessary."
There are two possible scenarios floating around the Watkins Glen paddock tonight on how to run the weekend, although neither are officially confirmed as possibilities.
If Tracy Krohn wins the appeal tomorrow, Colin Braun will be allowed to compete but the Six Hours could become a GT only event, while the DP’s could race on Monday in a three hour event, where Braun will be allowed to compete because Penske’s two Marlboro sponsored cars will be off track premises.
If Penske/Phillip Morris win the appeal, then the Six Hours could be a combined GT and DP race on Saturday as originally planned, but Colin Braun will not be able to compete.
The-Paddock.net’s Paul Metzger-Oke will be making his way to the track tomorrow for weekend coverage and will have the latest then. Stay tuned, this story is far from over.
Source: http://www.the-paddock.net/content/view/240185/1/
Again the REAL race starts WAY BEFORE the green flag.
06-02-2006, 03:22 PM
#9
Originally Posted by Wicked Weasel
So is WGI not allowing fans under 17 to come too???
06-02-2006, 03:38 PM
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Originally Posted by TLGunman
The race goes on. Colin has been withdrawn, and Boris Said will fill in for him at the Glen, and at Infinion later this year.
06-02-2006, 04:42 PM
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And yet nothing is done about folks under 21 and Alcohol sponsorships? Kinda screwy if you ask me... Heck, isn't there a Playboy Sponsor for a DP team? You can't read that until your 18. 
I don't understand why tobacco is so evil that racing next to an ad for it could corrupt a 17 year old...
I say quit being sensitive and let the kids race! (Too bad the courts don't always ask for a common sense approach!)
I don't understand why tobacco is so evil that racing next to an ad for it could corrupt a 17 year old...
I say quit being sensitive and let the kids race! (Too bad the courts don't always ask for a common sense approach!)
06-02-2006, 09:09 PM
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Since WGI is owned and operated by International Speedways (NASCAR big cheese) the rule may have something to do with the removal of Tobacco Sponshorships of NASCAR teams and events.
Bill
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06-02-2006, 10:48 PM
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St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Originally Posted by injuner
I don't understand why tobacco is so evil that racing next to an ad for it could corrupt a 17 year old...
notice they are not turning away under 17 fans. So it is ok for a fan to see the car passing lap after lap, but another driver who doesn't have an extra spilt second to even read the ad can't run - very short sighted..
