Michelin Offers to Refund USGP Tickets - Houston-Imports.com

zerinVR6 · 06-28-2005, 01:39 PM

http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/formulaone/17897/

Written by: Cassio Cortes Clermont-Ferrand, France – 6/28/2005

Michelin has taken a large step in an attempt to smooth the PR blow inflicted by its teams’ withdrawal from the USGP, as the tire manufacturer has announced plans to refund the fans who attended the race at Indy two weeks ago. Furthermore, the company intends to hand out 20,000 free tickets for next year’s USGP among the spectators present at this year’s six-cars-only race.

“Michelin has decided to contribute to the costs incurred by the spectators present at the circuit on Sunday June 19th 2005 by offering to refund their tickets,” the company stated today. “This is an important decision, since Michelin is not at all legally bound to do this.

"Michelin deeply regrets that the public was deprived of an exciting race and therefore wishes to be the first, among the different groups involved in the Indianapolis race, to make a strong gesture towards the spectators.

“Michelin also offers to buy 20,000 tickets for the 2006 U.S. Grand Prix to be given to spectators who were present at the Indianapolis race in 2005. We are offering this to promote further Formula 1 interest in the United States,” it added.

The company’s initiative should also help its squads to get away with smaller penalties in tomorrow’s World Motor Sport Council hearing, scheduled by the FIA to analyze the matter. Still, the statement ratified Michelin’s stance of rebutting FIA president’s Max Mosley’s criticism, and made clear its disagreement ober the role played in the controversy by its affiliated teams.

“We would also like to take this opportunity to underline the fact that it is unacceptable that our partner teams have been accused by the FIA of having boycotted the Indianapolis Grand Prix,” it read. “The reality is that together, Michelin and its partners have done everything possible to assure that the race could take place in total safety.

“We are extremely disappointed that the proposals made with all our teams were not accepted. These proposals, including a chicane, were technically viable and totally met all safety requirements. On Sunday morning, June 19, the sporting authority had all the means necessary to preserve the interest of the race.

“And yet, the sporting authority rejected the proposed solutions. Why? In our view this is totally incomprehensible and reflects a lack of respect for the spectators,” the statement concluded.

**CarConnection** · 06-28-2005, 02:46 PM

wonder how many people will abuse the ticket refund... cause you know damn good and well some people didn't care about this whole thing and were just there cause the tickets were availible.

IBTheTicketsGoOnEbay

-=E36=- · 06-28-2005, 02:50 PM

Pretty cool that they did that. Even though I expected some sort of compensation.

Ryan

appleburger · 06-28-2005, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -=S14=-

Pretty cool that they did that. Even though I expected some sort of compensation.

Ryan

werd

SecretAgent · 06-29-2005, 12:38 AM

good for michelin. but i think the team owners should be the ones fronting the bill. they were the ones that caused the controversy, if they had simply not pulled out of pit lane for the formation lap and announced beforehand they were not going to participate in the race, it would have saved a LOT of grief.

06-28-2005, 01:39 PM	#1
zerinVR6 Automotive News Guy Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 2,153 Car: '05.5 Audi A4 2.0T Quattro and Various Press Cars iTrader: (0)	Michelin Offers to Refund USGP Tickets http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/formulaone/17897/ Written by: Cassio Cortes Clermont-Ferrand, France – 6/28/2005 Michelin has taken a large step in an attempt to smooth the PR blow inflicted by its teams’ withdrawal from the USGP, as the tire manufacturer has announced plans to refund the fans who attended the race at Indy two weeks ago. Furthermore, the company intends to hand out 20,000 free tickets for next year’s USGP among the spectators present at this year’s six-cars-only race. “Michelin has decided to contribute to the costs incurred by the spectators present at the circuit on Sunday June 19th 2005 by offering to refund their tickets,” the company stated today. “This is an important decision, since Michelin is not at all legally bound to do this. "Michelin deeply regrets that the public was deprived of an exciting race and therefore wishes to be the first, among the different groups involved in the Indianapolis race, to make a strong gesture towards the spectators. “Michelin also offers to buy 20,000 tickets for the 2006 U.S. Grand Prix to be given to spectators who were present at the Indianapolis race in 2005. We are offering this to promote further Formula 1 interest in the United States,” it added. The company’s initiative should also help its squads to get away with smaller penalties in tomorrow’s World Motor Sport Council hearing, scheduled by the FIA to analyze the matter. Still, the statement ratified Michelin’s stance of rebutting FIA president’s Max Mosley’s criticism, and made clear its disagreement ober the role played in the controversy by its affiliated teams. “We would also like to take this opportunity to underline the fact that it is unacceptable that our partner teams have been accused by the FIA of having boycotted the Indianapolis Grand Prix,” it read. “The reality is that together, Michelin and its partners have done everything possible to assure that the race could take place in total safety. “We are extremely disappointed that the proposals made with all our teams were not accepted. These proposals, including a chicane, were technically viable and totally met all safety requirements. On Sunday morning, June 19, the sporting authority had all the means necessary to preserve the interest of the race. “And yet, the sporting authority rejected the proposed solutions. Why? In our view this is totally incomprehensible and reflects a lack of respect for the spectators,” the statement concluded. __________________ Zerin Dube Managing Editor / Photographer dubspeedMedia Your Source For The Latest Automotive News, Motorsports and Event Coverage http://www.speedsportlife.com

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06-28-2005, 02:46 PM	#2
CarConnection PowerFab Automotive Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: H-Town Posts: 11,612 Car: A really old nissan... iTrader: (27)	wonder how many people will abuse the ticket refund... cause you know damn good and well some people didn't care about this whole thing and were just there cause the tickets were availible. IBTheTicketsGoOnEbay

06-28-2005, 02:50 PM	#3
-=E36=- wrd Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Heights Posts: 17,029 Car: ///M iTrader: (11)	Pretty cool that they did that. Even though I expected some sort of compensation. Ryan

06-29-2005, 12:38 AM	#5
SecretAgent Banned Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: not where you think Posts: 13,326 Car: Land Rover iTrader: (16)	good for michelin. but i think the team owners should be the ones fronting the bill. they were the ones that caused the controversy, if they had simply not pulled out of pit lane for the formation lap and announced beforehand they were not going to participate in the race, it would have saved a LOT of grief.