APRIL 6, 2001

San Marino Grand Prix faces bishop's wrath

THE forthcoming San Marino Grand Prix, scheduled for Easter Sunday, has already aroused the wrath of the bishop of Imola due to its clash with Easter Sunday.

Gianfranco Tomassoli, representing Imola circuit organizers Sagis, declared that everything possible would be done to appease the local church, which had criticized the decision to hold the race at Easter.

"We will hold a mass on the morning of the race with the parish priest of Maranello, don Alberto Bernardoni. It will be broadcast on the giant Ovideo-wall TV screens around the circuit," said Tomassoli.

Tomassoli explained that the parish priest who came to bless the circuit for the event had expressed the church's 'discomfort' over the date.

He also added that the traditional gala dinner would not be held this year out of respect for the Easter festivity and that all the money saved would go to charity.