Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre yesterday celebrated this past weekend’s inaugural -- and "controversial" -- Formula E ePrix, calling the event a "mission accomplished," according to Kelsey Litwin of the MONTREAL GAZETTE. Coderre said, "Formula E is something big. Something is happening in the race car industry." With an estimated 45,000 attendees over the three days, Coderre stressed that the C$18M spent for the event "encompasses costs for the next two years as well." He specified that the C$7.5M it took to "build barriers for the course is an investment and not a recurring cost." Coderre "chalked up this year’s costs" to between C$4-6M. Race promoter Evenko Exec VP & COO Jacques Aubé "wouldn’t specify how many of the 45,000 spectators bought tickets." When asked about the number of tickets given away free of charge, he explained that their objective was to "'promote the event,' not necessarily to sell tickets." Aubé said that a number organizers do know is "how many beers were sold on Saturday: 70,000." Coderre: "There are things to improve, notably with merchants." Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag said that he "hopes the same course can be used for next year’s race, adding that Montreal’s circuit was one of the best that drivers had seen" (MONTREAL GAZETTE, 8/1).
