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liftoffoversteer
17-04-09, 11:15 AM
Howdy,
Sorry to have to break this to you all.... :confused:
j





VAUXHALL TO DEPART BTCC AT END OF 2009 SEASON
17 April 2009.../Vauxhall announced today that VX Racing will not return to the British Touring Car Championship in 2010. The Luton-based manufacturer, the most successful in modern touring cars history, will continue to campaign three cars this year, driven by Fabrizio Giovanardi, Matt Neal and Andrew Jordan.

The decision to withdraw from the BTCC in 2010 was influenced by the absence of other manufacturer-backed teams and financial prudence in the current global economic downturn. While the company regrets having to leave the BTCC for 2010, it will keep an option open for a possible return to the sport in future years.

The timing of today’s announcement has been carefully considered in order to allow Vauxhall’s key BTCC partner, Triple Eight Race Engineering, as much time as possible to develop its future plans.

Triple Eight has been a successful partner with Vauxhall over the last 13 years, with the team recently celebrating its 100th win with VX Racing earlier this month, having taken Vauxhall to seven manufacturer titles in the last eight years, with the Astra Coupé, Astra Sport Hatch VXR and the Vectra VXR.

The company’s BTCC race programme was rebranded from Vauxhall Motorsport to VX Racing in 2003, with the introduction of the VXR brand to the portfolio the following year.

Andy Gilson, Marketing Director, Vauxhall Motors explains, “The company has enjoyed immense success with BTCC, both on track and as a focal marketing activity for the VXR brand. However a number of factors have led us to take the decision to withdraw from the championship at the end of this season. Vauxhall’s primary focus for next year will be bringing to market exciting new products, such as the new generation Astra and Meriva models.

http://newspress.co.uk/a.php“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Triple Eight Race Engineering for turning our road cars into some of the most successful BTCC entrants in its history. I would also like to thank the drivers who have piloted our cars to victory. I would like to think we can end our run in touring cars with another title-winning season.”

Ends

smcgsi16v
17-04-09, 11:19 AM
Looks like my mrs firm are going to have to find a new sponsor.

Pistol Pete
17-04-09, 11:39 AM
TBH i was surprised when they entered for the 2009 season. Seat pulling out should have been a sign. I guess the current struggle that faces GM as a whole is having a knock on effect. Its a big big shame though. Vauxhall have been a success story in BTCC for years now. Will we see many more privateer teams in '10??!! Leaves Matt Neal with out a drive...oh well lol What about the Chevrolet arm? Will this continue?

blue_peg_16v
17-04-09, 11:43 AM
not good but inevitable whats the point of being the only manufacturer

GRUNT 16V
17-04-09, 12:36 PM
What A Fecker !!!!!!!!!!!

L14MNP
17-04-09, 12:44 PM
The BTCC has been fighting a losing battle since the end of the super tourers IMO. As said, with SEAT pulling out and (IIRC) the BMW works team there was zero point in VXR continuing.

IMO 888/VXR have only became successful through the demise of other manufacturers too.

Boo hoo for daddys boy Matt Neal - bet hte gets a drive at an independant, family financed team again. lol

Sloth
17-04-09, 01:01 PM
looks like ill be watching the wtcc then. r.i.p btcc as a whole, it really is the death knell for the sport in the u.k. imo.

/me goes to youtube to watch cleland thrash cav gsi's about....

L14MNP
17-04-09, 01:10 PM
I wonder if the Super V8 Australian touring cars are still on. That was canny. No bump n grind like true BTCC though!

^ I need more 90's BTCC vids, seen them all so may times. Never tire of Mansell in the Mondeo or Soper vs. Cleland though!

Sloth
17-04-09, 01:16 PM
i remember seeing a dvd once of all the 90's touring car races, it was a 10 disk box set iirc, really wanna find it. the other thing i like is rallycross and the sierra cossie touring cars...

L14MNP
17-04-09, 01:20 PM
Yeah 80's and 90's Rallycross & BTCC FTW. Used to love all that.

Dude, find the DVD's! All I have ever seen is VHS BS. lol

Pistol Pete
17-04-09, 01:33 PM
WTCC is pootang IMO. Boring as fook. If your not in a SEAT stay at home and do some ****ing knitting!

Sloth
17-04-09, 01:36 PM
lol the rs200 evo 1's with f1 spoiler attached and 700bhp in rallycross was amazing....

dj_wudgey
18-04-09, 12:51 AM
gutted man!! i love all the old rally and touringcar video's me!!

shy witness
18-04-09, 05:24 PM
Yeah 80's and 90's Rallycross & BTCC FTW. Used to love all that.

Dude, find the DVD's! All I have ever seen is VHS BS. lol


absolutely.


some of the rallycroos cars from them era's were mental.



brilliant racing n'all in my opinion :thumb: