07/08/2012
NEWS STORY
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Following reports that they have sought advice and help from the organisers of the Turkish Grand Prix, officials in Greece, which is seeking its own F1 race, have acted quickly to dismiss the claim.
At the weekend, a number of reports appeared in the Turkish media claiming that Mayor Lukas Canis, of the Drapetsona region which is hoping to host a Grand Prix, is in constant talks with Mumtaz Tahincioglu, President of the Turkish Motorsports Federation (TOSFED), the driving force behind the ill-fated race at Istanbul Park.
According to the reports, Tahincioglu recently visited the proposed location for the track, located around 10 miles form Athens, which TOSFED is interested in helping to construct providing the Greek government addresses a number of "bureaucratic obstacles". The various articles suggest that practical and financial assistance has been asked for.
In response, the Dielpis Formula 1 Project has issued a statement totally dismissing the reports.
It reads as follows:
Following recent publications of some Turkish media regarding the alleged resort to a Turkish investor, and more specifically, to Mr. Mumtaz Tahinzioglu, seeking financial and technical support for the Dielpis Formula 1 project, we hereby inform you as follows:
1) Dielpis Formula 1 is the exclusive owner of all intellectual and industrial property rights (original idea, architectural plans, business plan, trademark, know-how) of the proposal submitted to both Greek and international competent bodies (Automobile and Touring Club of Greece - ELPA-, FIA). As a result, it is the only competent body to negotiate with possible investors.
2) Dielpis Formula 1 is the product of Greek planning and has already been adopted by the Automobile and Touring Club of Greece and the Greek
State.
3) The placement of the circuit in the port of Piraeus and all individual technical details have been the result of long term studies, and the circuit is considered ideal having its very own identity. Therefore, we DO NOT need assistance or advice from persons who have greatly failed in planning the commercial management, as in the case of the circuit of Istanbul. Obviously, the alleged involvement of a Turkish investor serves the interests of only those who wish to see the circuit of Istanbul to continue operating.
4) We hereby state that Dielpis Formula 1 has never been present in any meeting with any Turkish investor, nor has it negotiated the assignment of its rights to Turks. This contravenes its principles. The effort is Greek and only Greek.
5) Dielpis Formula 1 has presented the F1 circuit plan, as well as general ideas for the development of the area of the Municipality of Drapetsona - Keratsini seeking the financial aid of mainly Greek investors and, thus, any reference made to an alleged support by a Turkish investor is imaginary
and we strongly DISAVOW it.
We deem that all journalistic references to the intervention of a Turkish investor are cunning and aim at sabotaging the effort to construct a Greek F1 circuit.