Vauxhall Announces BTCC Withdrawal at the End of 2009 Season

VX Racing BTCC Vauxhall Vectra

Poor economy cited as primary reason

By Michael Gauthier
April 17, 2009 5:59 PM
Filed Under: European, Motorsport, Vauxhall

Vauxhall has announced that they will be discontinuing their VX Racing activities in the British Touring Car Championship at the end of this season.

The company cites the lack of other manufacturer-backed teams in the BTCC as well as the "current global economic downturn" as the key reasons for not returning to the racing series in 2010. While Vauxhall isn't ruling out the possibility of returning to the BTCC in the future, the press release seems to suggest that such a move would be at least several years away.

Although it seems odd for Vauxhall to withdrawal from the 2010 season already, the company wanted to give 13-year racing partner Triple Eight Race Engineering enough time to consider how best to proceed without them. While this obviously has to be a rough day for both parties, Vauxhall and Triple Eight Race Engineering have won over 100 races and seven out of the last eight manufacturer titles.

According to Vauxhall's marketing director Andy Gilson, "The company has enjoyed immense success with BTCC... 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.''

Source: Vauxhall

Press Release (Click to expand)

VAUXHALL TO DEPART BTCC AT END OF 2009 SEASON

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 their 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.''

"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."

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Tags: BTCC, Vauxhall Vectra, British Touring Car Championship

Comments

Bristol411S3

April 17, 2009 6:27 PM

Not a surprise. They are the only "works" team this season I believe. Everyone else is doing it through privateers and I expect Triple Eight will continue on that basis.