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WPS/WOW racing withdraws from V8 Supercars |
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Monday, 11 February 2008 |
WPS/WOW Racing team owner Craig Gore has announced that his team has withdrawn
from the V8 Supercar Championship Series because of personal business and health
commitments.
The Gold Coast-based businessman has sold his two Team Licence Agreements to
undisclosed parties with the blessing of the Touring Car Entrants Group of
Australia (TEGA) and the team’s cars and equipment are to be sold separately.
Gore will remain involved in V8 Supercars, with his financial services
group Wright Patton Shakespeare continuing as naming-rights sponsor of the WPS
Chrysler V8 Supercar Safety Car program for the next five years.
Gore
also remains committed to his Team Australia motorsport program and driver Will
Power in the Champ Car World Series in the United States, where Team Australia
is backed by Gore’s Australian wine export company Aussie Vineyards and its Au
brand. Gore also has significant involvement in the Gold Coast Indy 300 event
each October as an event sponsor.
Gore has sighted two clear reasons for
his decision to withdraw his V8 Supercar team from competition – his increasing
commitment to the continued growth of his businesses, especially the financial
services group Wright Patton Shakespeare, as well as his own health.
Gore suffered an inner-ear injury in his helicopter in October 2007 and
while he continues to recover well from that injury and the subsequent
operation, the 41-year-old still needs to avoid the constant loud noises of an
environment such as a race track.
“It’s been an exciting journey and I
would like to think that we did it our own way at WPS Racing over the past four
seasons,” said Gore.
“Operating a successful team in this sport is an
enormous challenge. When we started this team back in 2004 I underestimated the
time required to run a team that could win races on a consistent basis.
“With my business interests absorbing more and more of my time and my
doctor continually in my one good ear telling me how important it is to look
after myself, I just cannot dedicate the time and effort required to mould our
operation into a race-winning V8 Supercar team. It is my belief that if you are
not in this game to win races, then you shouldn’t be around.
“The sport
of V8 Supercar racing is an extraordinary sport and I will continue to be
passionate about its growth and success. Wright Patton Shakespeare will continue
as the naming rights sponsor of the WPS Chrysler Safety Car program.
“I
am proud of what we achieved in a short amount of time and believe there have
only been a couple of other organisations who have managed to build their brand
as successfully as we have through our V8 Supercar involvement.
“I was
also pleased that we could give so many young drivers a chance to experience
what it is like to drive a V8 Supercar.
“I have to thank the core group
of people that have been involved with our team over the past four seasons.
Their loyalty and dedication have inspired me and I am truly grateful for their
efforts and friendship.
“We have also been involved with some tremendous
corporate partners over our four years including everyone at WOW Sight and Sound
and Chrysler who have enjoyed going racing the WPS way.
“Our fan group
has also grown from year to year and has been tremendously committed and a lot
of fun to have around.
“Both our drivers (Max Wilson and Jason
Bargwanna) are contracted, but the terms and conditions of those agreements are
confidential and will be worked through accordingly.”
Gore said he had
negotiated with several parties to purchase his licences, but a deal could not
be reached until today.
“Negotiations dragged out longer than I wanted,
hence the late announcement of our withdrawal,” said Gore.
Gore is
currently working on other plans that involve the grassroots of Australian
motorsport to play a supporting role to his Team Australia program.
TEAM HISTORY
WPS Racing made its debut in the V8
Supercar Championship Series in 2004 and competed in the series for four
seasons. David Besnard claimed a race win for the team at Symmons Plains in
Tasmania in 2004 and last season Max Wilson and Jason Bargwanna clinched the
team’s best Bathurst finish with seventh place.
The best championship
result for the team was Bargwanna’s 14th place in 2006 championship ahead of
Brazilian driver Wilson in 15th. Last season saw Wilson and Bargwanna finish
17th and 18th respectively in the V8 Supercar Championship Series standings.
WPS/WOW Racing Driver Roll Call 2004 - 2007
Mark
Noske (2004)
David Besnard (2004 - 2006)
John McIntyre (2004)
Charlie O’Brien (2004)
Alex Yoong (2004)
Neil McFadyen (2004)
Owen Kelly (2004)
Craig Baird (2005 - 2006)
Marcus Marshall (2005)
Alex Tagliani (2005)
Jason Bargwanna (2006 - 2007)
Max Wilson (2006
- 2007)
Michael Caruso (2007)
Grant Denyer (2007)
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