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TORONTO (AP) – Nearly a decade ago, Paul Godfrey negotiated an agreement to secure $ 2 million in provincial and municipal grants to help bring back the Toronto IndyCar race.
Fans have been lukewarm about the race since returning to the city in 2009 after a one year hiatus.
The race regularly attracted more than 70,000 people and about 170,000 over three days in the 1990s and early 2000s, but the figures Postmedia Network's president and CEO, Godfrey, believe the The race has "lost some of its charm" since Michael Andretti, seven-time Toronto Indy champion, helped raise funds. to relive it after receiving the ax due to scheduling problems when the two rival series of open wheel racing met in 2008.
"The buzz that was there a few years ago did not regained the level he had in the past, "Godfr They told the Canadian Press.
"I know that Honda is doing its best to make this happen and I hope it will do it because it is a great sport and that it is a big event, and I'd like to see him return to the excitement of yesteryear. "
Godfrey – who was the chairman of the Indy board when he was sponsored by Molson's 1986 to 2006 and for a year after the beer company gave up its support – said he and his colleagues would try to create anticipation almost a year in advance and would focus on charity events
He said that he sees no strategy of the current owners Green Savoree.
"I am not criticizing them. I think that they had their own charity, and that's fine, but I think it took away some of the excitement that took place, "said Godfrey
Godfrey arbitrated to Molson as "outstanding corporate citizens", while describing Green Savoree as "They spent a lot of money on the race, but they also spent a lot of money on the events surrounding the race that attracted the "Godfrey said of Molson.
Jeff Atkinson, president of the Honda Indy, said the race has risen over the past two years since he took on the role, adding that he expects a participation of three days
"We were very pleased with the destination of the tickets," he said, "I think Toronto loved the event."
He added that under his supervision the Indy has increased the types of charitable events that were seen in the days of Godfrey, such as the gift of banknotes, and an accelerated Fan Fan, w It allows people to participate for free in exchange for a voluntary contribution to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Atkinson added that the Indy is also expecting a boost because of good weather for the weekend and three Canadian competitors: James Hinchcliffe, Robert Wickens and Zachary Claman De Melo
"I think fans have a lot to encourage," he said.
The Honda Indy is certainly not the only race with participation concerns. Star Paul Tracy has a theory about supporting declining fans at races across the continent. The winner of the Toronto Indy said that race owners do not seem to give priority to fans and that they are instead seeking business support.
"They do not seem too concerned about empty booths as long as they sell" If you sell the business suites, (they have) made their money, and the money generated at from that is much larger than selling those $ 25 bills, so unfortunately they focused more on the corporate side than on the fans side. "
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