Spat between Yamaha and Gauloises continues

[Trevor Rossack]

This seems to be getting more interesting each day - sure would lke to be a fly on the wall, hearing these discussions:-



Following on from Yamaha dropping Gauloises late last year, the public back-room politics between the two has heated-up with Yamaha's announcement of new sponsorship from Camel.

Gauloises released on Monday...

Altadis has initiated arbitration proceedings, seeking substantial compensation from Yamaha for the damages arising out of what Altadis considers to be a material breach by Yamaha of the two companies' two-year sponsorship agreement.

Altadis seeks both pecuniary damages and declaratory relief with respect to particular obligations that Altadis maintains have survived the termination of the parties' contractual relationship.

Altadis has requested an urgent decision in this regard, in the nature of an interim order obligating Yamaha to refrain from collaborating with any sponsor whose products compete directly with Altadis products for the coming season.

Altadis regrets that the negotiations to define the terms of a settlement that would have resolved the dispute without the need to resort to arbitration have proved fruitless.

And then Yamaha responded yesterday...

On January 9, 2006 Altadis abruptly announced that it had initiated arbitration proceedings against Yamaha arising out of an alleged breach by Yamaha of the two companies' sponsorship agreement for Yamaha's factory racing team. Yamaha would like to clarify several points in light of Altadis? wrongful statements.

First, Yamaha no longer has any sponsorship agreement with Altadis, as the previous sponsorship agreement was terminated in all respects for the 2006 season.

Second, Yamaha strongly denies that it has ever breached its previous sponsorship agreement with Altadis.

Third, in the absence of any agreement in force between Altadis and Yamaha, there exists no legal obligation preventing Yamaha from contracting with a tobacco sponsor or any other sponsor for the 2006 season.

Yamaha deplores the fact that Altadis? unreasonable actions have frustrated Yamaha?s good-faith efforts to resolve this matter in an amicable fashion, and has seen fit to make its unmerited allegations in a public forum.

To date, Yamaha has not been notified of any Request for Arbitration from Altadis. In any event, Yamaha will defend its rights vigorously, and reserves the rights to claim both pecuniary damages and declaratory relief with respect to the wrong and disparaging statements made by Altadis and the harm wilfully caused by its frivolous conduct, for the sake of Yamaha and all of its fans and supporters worldwide who continue to support and sustain the MotoGP sport and Yamaha?s MotoGP factory racing team.

With Gauloises responding again today...

Contrary to the information provided by Yamaha in its January 10th press release, Altadis' decision to initiate arbitration proceedings was taken - as Yamaha well knows - after many months of negotiations during which Altadis sought ways to release Yamaha from its obligations to Altadis.

Altadis would like MOTOGP and motor sports fans worldwide to know that Altadis' commitment to motor racing and MOTOGP remains as strong as ever.

Altadis sincerely believes that its decision to seek redress in arbitration for what Altadis considers to be Yamaha's wrongful conduct is good for the sport, which can only benefit from rulings that require participants to honor their contractual undertakings.

Altadis is confident that its position, which it believes advocates the survival of fair play in professional motorcycle racing, will be vindicated in arbitration.

As Yamaha has been formally notified of the initiation of the proceedings, Altadis' response to Yamaha's allegations concerning the dispute will be given to the Arbitral Tribunal, who will have the final say

[Highlander179]

yawn. wake me up when they start racing

[Steve Carlton]

What's the correct pronunciation of Gauloises? Gal-wah? I just want to get it right just in time to never need it again.

[bradzdotcom]

these guys oughta calm down, go outside and have a smoke.

[lemec]

Goal-wahhhz. Curl your lip and wrinkle your nose and yell anti-Americanisms, you'll pronounce it better.

[Steve Carlton]

Merci.

[Moybin]

Soap Opera 101 plus a ton free advertising tossed in, care of folks like us.

[Rapid Dog]

Please don't bring this A-Hole back...



Please...

[JonyRR]

No, NOT that one....
THIS one, and BTW, you're stepping on some fond memories there, pardner

[Rapid Dog]

Hey JR, no offense, but that Camel Joe shmultz was the most horrific ad campaign ever...and I like Camels.

You gonna e-me about the parts or wot?

[JonyRR]

yeah, but not from this IP address. I need to wait until I get home. Mail goes out on a different port and is minitored here by someone other than myself

[Rapid Dog]

PM'd you JR

[ExarKunONe]

Originally posted by Rapid Dog
Please don't bring this A-Hole back...



Please...

Is that Max Biaggi?