MONTREAL -- Racing fans can expect the annual revving of high-speed engines at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for at least another decade, as the Formula One Group reached an agreement worth more than $200 million to bring the Canadian Grand Prix back to Montreal through 2024. The Grand Prixs future in Montreal was secured with the help of substantial governmental investment: $62 million from the federal government, $50 million from Quebec, $62 million from Tourisme Montreal and at least $32 million from the City of Montreal. Montreal mayor Denis Coderre was on hand at the racetrack on Ile Sainte-Helene for the announcement on Saturday morning, alongside ministers of infrastructure and transport from the provincial and federal governments. "This is the place to be this weekend, and this is the place to be for the next 10 years," said Coderre, who worked on the deal for several months with Formula One. "The Canadian Grand Prix is part and parcel of Montreal. It is one of the big international events that builds on Montreals outstanding reputation and ranks it among the worlds great cities." As a condition to the agreements success, the City of Montreal also agreed to renovate the track, including making improvements to the team paddocks, the control tower, and the on-site medical centre, for which it will spend $25 million to $40 million. Coderre promised work would begin this fall and would be completed in time for the 2017 Canadian Grand Prix. "The importance of this showcase to Montreal is beyond measure," said the mayor. "If Montreal wants to present itself as a metropolis, and join the ranks of other great cities around the world, we have to maintain this high level of authority. Its our signature. Its part of our DNA. It is one of the big international events that builds on Montreals outstanding reputation." The deal is big. Montreals Formula One weekend attracts visitors from around the world, and repeatedly rakes in roughly $70 million to $90 million a year. It is broadcast in 150 countries and watched by approximately 300 million viewers worldwide. And its not just great for the City of Montreal, says former-F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve. Beyond the dollars and cents, Villeneuve believes the track named after his father is simply one of the most exciting in the world from a racing standpoint. "Its great for the teams and the drivers because its a fun track," he said on Friday in anticipation of the announcement. "Its a good venue. Everybody likes coming here. They come in a few days early. Its party time all week. Theres good energy." Villeneuve ranked Montreal as one of the top-four racing destinations, together with Monaco, Melbourne, and Singapore. "Its one of the few races that look different, where theres action," he said. "If you look at the modern tracks, you could be anywhere. They all look the same. And you fall asleep on your couch. Its one of those few that you need to keep on the calendar to keep Formula One special." Circuit Gilles Villeneuve -- all 4.3 kilometres of it -- is known for its sharp hairpin turn after the pit area, early safety cars, its tight Senna curves, and the kilometre-long straightaway along the Olympic basin that allows for speeds up to 300 kilometres per hour. Red Bulls Sebastian Vettel, who finished third behind Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg in Saturdays qualifying session, says Montreal is one of his favourite races of the year. "Its one of the few places in the calendar where the whole city really parties all weekend long and embraces the Grand Prix and really appreciates it," he said. "For us, thats a great feeling, to stand on the grid and have so many fans during the drivers parade and when you race. Seeing the full grandstands makes your job extra special." "Its a great track, the fans are fantastic, so enthusiastic," added Rosberg. "Im very happy and Im sure everybody else is that well be coming here more often in the future." Notes: This year marks the 35th running of the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. The race gets underway Sunday afternoon. a In 2009, Montreal was removed from the F1 season when the provincial government refused to pay more to renew the race. The event returned the following year. . -- David Freese is starting to pick up his run production, which is something the Los Angeles Angels have been waiting half a season to see. .Currently no, Tatjana Haenni, FIFAs deputy director of the competitions division and head of womens competitions, said Tuesday in an interview from Ottawa.
http://www.cheaplouisvillejerseys.com/.J. - Pete Carroll is in support of the NFL looking further into whether medicinal marijuana could beneficial for players. . As Valanciunas was whistled for a rare technical toward the end of the third quarter - a result of waving his hand at an official after being called for a foul - Lowry pulled the Raptors sophomore aside, corralling him by his jersey and patting him on the back. . He chirped to the caddie of Brandt Snedeker about their money game, a Mickelson tradition at the majors. Lefty was in good spirits Monday at the British Open, except for having to return the claret jug.TURIN, Italy - Home favourite Francesco Molinari and Austrias Bernd Wiesberger both shot 66 to share the first round lead at the Italian Open on Thursday, while Stephen Gallachers bid to earn a late spot on Europes Ryder Cup team ran into trouble. Molinari — who was born in Turin — and Wiesberger managed six birdies each in their bogey-free rounds to finish six under par. They lead a group of five players, including early leader John Hahn of the United States, by one stroke. Gallacher, who needs a top-two finish to dislodge former U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell from Europes team, opened with a par-72. The Scot is the only player still capable of moving into the automatic Ryder Cup places in the final qualifying event. European captain Paul McGinley said Molinari is "very much in my mind" for one of the three Ryder Cup wild cards he will announce on Tuesday, while the man himself thinks he needs a second Italian Open win on Sunday to guarantee a third consecutive cup appearance at Gleneagles next month. "I had a chat with Paul when he got here and I think the good thing is that he knows what I can bring to the team because he has seen me as vice-capptain on the last two teams," Molinari said.dddddddddddd "But its up to me to prove that I really want it and am playing well enough. I think anything less than a win would not be enough so I have to aim for that." Gallacher headed straight to the range after a round featuring four birdies and four bogeys. The 39-year-old Scot squandered a good start after almost holing his approach to his second hole of the day. "Im a bit disappointed because I threw away a couple of shots midway through my round, but its OK for the first day and I am only one good score away from the top of the leaderboard," Gallacher said. "I know I have to finish first or second, thats not going to change, so Im not putting any pressure on myself. Once you get out on the course you just try to birdie every hole. Thats the easy part. Its when you finish you think about the Ryder Cup." Hahn produced six birdies but bogeyed the sixth hole to leave him second with Northern Irelands Gareth Maybin, Scotlands Richie Ramsay, Englands Richard Bland and South African Hennie Otto, with 17-year-old Italian amateur Edoardo Lipparelli among a seven-strong group another shot back. ' ' '
