BRITEK
ANNOUNCE WITHDRAWAL FROM AUSTRALIAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP
Britek Rallye Sport along with naming rights sponsor,
Pirtek Fluid Systems, has announced the withdrawal of the Pirtek Rally
Team from the 2008 Australian Rally Championship.
Managing Director of Britek Rallye Sport Jason Bright
said the decision was only taken after an exhaustive evaluation of the
programme and in particular the budget required to compete at the
highest level in Australia.
Pirtek Fluid Systems undertook an extensive review of
their sports sponsorships and marketing mix last year and subsequently
informed Britek Rallye Sport that 2008 would be its final year of
sponsorship for the rally programme.
"It was a very difficult decision to make, but with
sponsorship uncertainty for the future going beyond 2008, it ultimately
left us with no alternative" said Jason Bright.
"In the current climate, attracting another sponsor
with the same financial input was going to be very difficult. The
competitor in me wanted to continue with the rally team, but the
business could not take the risk.
"Pirtek has been an excellent sponsor and a
real supporter of the team. Their decision to inform us 12 months ahead
of the expiry of the sponsorship agreement is clear evidence of this.
"I also want to thank all our other sponsors,
supporters and staff since we took on this project.
"Michael Guest and Darren Windus have been released
from their contracts and I wish them the very best for the future.
"Rallying in Australia is very exciting but also
extremely expensive. I feel that cost containment measures such as
tyres, fuel and a number of other areas seriously need to be looked
at."
The two Ford Fiesta Super 2000 cars are currently up for
sale and interest has been extremely high. The Super 2000 Fiesta which
has been totally designed and developed in-house at Britek is a very
competitive package.
"The decision not to run our own team in the ARC
does not mean the end of the Fiesta," said Bright.
"As was shown in the last event in Melbourne in
November, where Michael Guest pushed Simon Evans (Toyota) all the way
on Sunday, the Fiesta has become a very competitive package.
"We are working very closely with customers to
supply the cars and the relative equipment and technical back-up to
ensure they are successful."
Britek will continue to campaign in the Australian V8
Supercar Championship Series with Jason Bright driving the #25 Fujitsu
Racing Ford and Marcus Marshall aboard the #26 IRWIN Racing Falcon.
