Sponsor takes legal action against Team Gordon

Fri, 28/03/2008 - 10:36

Marketing | United States | Nascar | Sponsorship

Business security software firm Vanguard Integrity Professional is taking legal action against the US motorsports outfit, Team Gordon, following comments made by the driver Robby Gordon on the Dakar Rally.

Earlier this year, Vanguard terminated its sponsorship of Team Gordon for the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Dakar Rallies following the cancellation of the 2008 event due to threats of terrorist attacks by al Qaeda against the Rally and its participants.

At the time of the cancellation of the 2008 Rally, Vanguard had independently confirmed the terrorist threats and agreed with the decision taken by the event organisers, Amaury Sport Organization (AS0), to cancel the Rally.

However, driver Robby Gordon publicly disagreed, and blasted the ASO for not having a backup plan. He also downplayed the extent of the threats, which began with the killing of a family of French tourists by al-Qaeda-linked militants in Mauritania in December.

The company said that ‘with the cancellation of the 2008 Dakar Rally due to terrorist threats, along with Team Gordon's public statements in response to that cancellation, continued sponsorship of Team Gordon no longer provides Vanguard with the appropriate promotional opportunities”.

Vanguard is asking for $1.15 million back from the driver and claims the driver was only authorised to promote Vanguard outside the United States.

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