Monday June 5th, 2000

Local strikes in Montreal could see the Canadian Grand Prix do a rerun of Silverstone in the dry - local transport unions have announced they will strike during the Grand Prix weekend, which could mean spectators will have no means of arriving at the track.

STCUM, the transport company, said it will shut down train and bus transportation to the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit, which is located on an island. The only road leading to the track is open only for the teams and drivers and would not be able to facilitate the private transportation of thousands of ticket holders.

The strike is not yet a done deal and negotiations could well see the unions back off from their plans. A similar affair occured prior to the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne this year, but at the last minute the local unions withdrew their threats to disrupt the race weekend.