“Competing at the highest level of motor sport in any category requires a high level of commitment and the costs associated in developing world first Super 2000 cars may have been underestimated by Britek,” Ashton said today.
Notwithstanding this announcement, Rallycorp has been very appreciative of the huge effort made by Britek to participate in the ARC as a new team with new cars under development.
“The contribution to the Championship will not be forgotten, and we trust that Britek will return to the ARC when their circumstances allow,” said Ashton.
“However, the series remains strong, with leading privateers regularly capable of matching stage times with the S2000 Fiestas and TRD Corollas throughout 2007.
“We would welcome these S2000 Fiestas back into the ARC, as I have no doubt that in the right hands these cars will be able to win Championships, and they are very popular with spectators,” added Ashton.
Ashton also added the costs of competing in the national series are outweighed by the many benefits that come from being involved in the Australian Rally Championship.
“Through their representation in the ARC, Britek received considerable air time in each of the eight ARC programs aired on Network Ten and excellent coverage in print and electronic media both nationally and internationally,” said Ashton.
“From the ARC television program alone Britek received over $2 million of exposure, which is a clear indication that the series delivers significant benefits from the investment outlaid to compete,” he added.
“This coverage and the positive light in which the team was always portrayed regardless of the how they finished in the field have undoubtedly led to an increase in their teams exposure, which can now only help in the selling of the two cars.”
“This coverage and benefits package is now available to other teams who wish to participate in this great national championship,” Ashton continued.
While the sport is hopeful that Ford will return to the Championship in the not too distant future, Britek Rallye Sport will be missed out in the forests when the 2008 season kicks off at the Quit Forest Rally in April.
The ARC is looking forward to the prospect of the two S2000 Fiestas being there with new teams, joining the record number of interstate crews that have already expressed interest in this year’s Quit Forest Rally and adding to the excitement that the 2008 Australian Rally Championship is set to produce.
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