Sport in Short: Motor Sport

HOURS after motorcycling's ruling body, FIM, yesterday decided to scrap the French Grand Prix the government in Paris announced it is to set up a Fr400m ( pounds 49.3m) fund to compensate sports bodies for the effects of its tobacco ban. Frederique Bredin, the sports minister, said the money would come from tobacco revenues, details of which have yet to be worked out. 'A balance must be reached between protecting people's health, the fight against the excesses of smoking and the future of auto- moto sport in France,' she said. Fim's decision followed that of motor racing's world governing body, Fisa, to cancel next year's Formula One French Grand Prix. The French Motorcycling Federation said it would do its utmost to save the race and to persuade the FIM reverse its decision.