'No smoking' sponsors for motor racing

THE brightly coloured, tobacco promoting motor-racing team liveries are to face a new rival on the track - cars sponsored by cancer charities and emblazoned with 'No Smoking' logos.

Four Formula Two cars, including that of Yvan Muller, last year's champion, are to end the 20-year domination of motor-racing sponsorship begun by John Player in the Seventies.

The leading Formula One teams of MacLaren and Williams have provided an ideal up-market image and world-wide television coverage for their sponsors, Marlboro and Camel. But Roger Orgee, owner of Omegaland Racing which will run the 'No Smoking' cars in Britain and Europe this season, says tobacco advertising gives the wrong message.

'We want to turn the advertising thing against them and make non-smoking the model for kids. You don't get sprinters smoking, and good racing drivers don't as they are all athletes. It can't help to make a good driver,' he said.

Mr Orgee, a former smoker, has jointed forces with the Marie Curie charity which specialises in cancer care and research.

All tobacco advertising is banned in France, and other countries are likely to follow in restricting the gaudy colours of cigarette-sponsored cars.

The first outing for the 'No Smoking' cars, capable of 180mph, will be at the Donington circuit in May.