14 Jun 2000, 20:44 (Ref:17281)
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#1
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Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 598
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Quote:
For Immediate Release
"MASTERCARD 'PRICELESS' MOMENT IN CGP HISTORY"
GILLES VILLENEUVE'S HISTORIC VICTORY IN 1978 NAMED THE "MASTERCARD 'PRICELESS' MOMENT IN CANADIAN GP
HISTORY"
MasterCard taps into memories of 40 Canadian F1 historians and journalists
Montreal, June 13, 2000 - In an initiative created and implemented by MasterCard International, an
official sponsor of the Benson & Hedges Jordan Grand Prix team, 40 Canadian F1 historians and
journalists selected Gilles Villeneuve's victory in 1978, the first F1 win by a Canadian driver, as
the "MasterCard 'Priceless' Moment of the Canadian Grand Prix. The race was also the first Canadian
Grand Prix to be held in Montreal.
Villeneuve's victory in Montreal, which launched his legendary career, was selected as MasterCard's
"Priceless" moment from among a total of 12 Canadian Grand Prix moments as nominated by a panel of
Canadian F1 historians and media. With 40 ballots returned, the 1978 moment garnered a total of 164
points -- more than tripling the point total of the second-place moment. In addition, the overall
"Priceless" moment appeared on the most ballots, a total of 36, and received the most 1st place
votes with 30. The selection process awarded five points for first place votes, three points for
second and one point for third place votes.
Rounding out the top three MasterCard "Priceless" Moments of the Canadian Grand Prix are:
· The 1979 race-long, wheel-to-wheel battle between Alan Jones and Gilles Villeneuve, who
finished in that order, in front of 100,000 enthralled spectators received a total of 45 points,
appearing on 17 ballots and receiving a total of two 1st place votes.
· Gilles Villeneuve's amazing display of 'press-on-regardless' tenacity
in his battered Ferrari on a wet track in 1981 (in his final home appearance before
he was killed, in 1982) for which he won the 'fighting spirit' award after finishing third,
behind Jacques Laffite and John Watson, claimed the third spot. Gilles' remarkable effort
received a total of 33 points and appeared on 13 ballots.
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