Foxtel Breaches Tobacco Ad Rules Over Race Car
Australian authorities found the broadcaster breached tobacco advertising regulations with a classic race car bearing Marlboro branding.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Motorsports
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Australian authorities found that Foxtel breached tobacco advertising regulations over its broadcast of a historic race car displaying original Marlboro branding. The finding followed a complaint about the broadcast of a race held at Highlands Motorsport Park.
Why it matters
The ruling highlights how tobacco branding on classic cars can create legal exposure for broadcasters even when the cars are raced in original liveries. New Zealand race organisers are now reviewing whether similar concerns could arise there.
The regulatory finding rests on a single complaint about one broadcast of a January historic race at Highlands Motorsport Park. The available material does not specify any penalty against Foxtel, and it is not yet clear how New Zealand rules would apply to comparable broadcasts.
The players
Foxtel
Foxtel is an Australian pay-television broadcaster that aired the historic race featuring tobacco branding.
Andy Greenslade
Andy Greenslade is a Tauranga-based racing driver who altered his car's branding at a Christchurch Supercars meeting.
The details
Foxtel broadcast a historic race at Highlands Motorsport Park featuring a classic Ford Sierra with original Marlboro branding. Separately, driver Andy Greenslade had altered the Benson and Hedges lettering on his car to read A's for a Supercars meeting in Christchurch that was televised in Australia.
Timeline
January: Historic race held at Highlands Motorsport Park as part of the NextGen Championship series.
November 8, 2026: Report published on the Foxtel tobacco advertising finding.
Season Trajectory
Historic racing series such as NextGen Championship routinely race cars in their original liveries, a practice that has long been part of classic motorsport. The Foxtel finding shows that this tradition can now carry regulatory consequences for broadcasters when that livery includes tobacco branding.
Viewers of motorsport broadcasts may see changes in how classic cars with tobacco branding are shown on television. Race organisers in New Zealand and elsewhere may need to adjust livery choices to avoid similar regulatory issues.
The takeaway
Event organisers and broadcasters should review historic car liveries against local tobacco advertising rules before televising races. Doing so early can prevent regulatory complaints about classic motorsport content.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in the Motorsports section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 1News.
Live Poll
Should historic race cars be allowed to display original tobacco sponsorship?
