BRANSON EYES SPORTS SPONSORSHIP IF UK BANS TOBACCO BACKING

          Virgin Chair Richard Branson said yesterday that he
     would form a rival to the Formula One racing circuit if F1
     "carries out its threat to pull out of Silverstone, venue
     for the British Grand Prix, when the [British] government
     bans tobacco advertising and sponsorship," according to
     Timmins & Griffiths of the FINANCIAL TIMES.  Branson told an
     int'l summit in London on tobacco control that Virgin would
     "take over sponsorship of any other sport which claimed it
     could not survive without tobacco advertising."  Max Mosley,
     President of world governing body Federation Internationale
     de l'Automobile, said racing was "an area about which Mr.
     Branson knows nothing.  His record in areas where he knows
     nothing ... is not very good" (FINANCIAL TIMES, 7/15).