Terrorism affects racing’s top prize

21 September 2001

Emirates Airlines has pulled out of racing’s world series due to last week’s terrorist attacks

The Emirates World Series has become the first major casualty in racing as a result oflast week’s terrorist attacks on America.

Organisers World Racing Championships Ltd confirmed that, following discussions with Emirates Airlines, it had been mutually agreed that because of the international climate, the sponsorship will terminate at the end of the year.

British Airways and other leading airlines have announced massive job losses following the airliner attacks on New York’s World Trade Centre.

It is not surprising that the world crisis should hit Emirates, whose multi-million pound support for the 12-race series includes races in Dubai, Britain, France, Germany, Ireland, America, Canada, Japan, Australia and Hong Kong.

Lord Hartington, deputy chairman of World Racing Championships, said: “We are in contact with other potential sponsors and will make an announcement in due course.”

Daylami won the first running of the Emirates World Series in 1999 and Fantastic Light took the title last year. Galileo and Fantastic Light are the current joint leaders.

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