CHEQUERED FLAG FOR BANKFIN TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP

The Touring Car Association has called time on the Bankfin Touring Car Championship following Audi’s announcement last week that it would withdraw from the series at the end of the season. The decision was made after consultation with the other three manufacturers involved in touring cars - BMW, Nissan and Opel.

"We obviously cannot continue with a formula that no longer has the support of sufficient manufacturers to maintain its status as South Africa’s premier circuit racing formula," said TOCA chairman Graham Duxbury.

"The final two rounds of this year’s Bankfin Touring Car Championship, which take place at Killarney circuit in Cape Town on Saturday, will be the last," said Duxbury.

It is understood that the BTCC manufacturers, as well as other local car makers, are in discussions regarding a suitable formula that could replace touring cars and provide them with a strong marketing platform while at the same time providing the public with high quality competition and entertainment.

"Motor racing is a dynamic sport and we have to keep pace with the times. The touring car series, sponsored by Bankfin for the past four years, has been good for motor sport since it was introduced. It has given South African motor sport an international profile, particularly when we were running to the international super touring car rules up to 1996 and hosted international races in South Africa.

"The series has provided a platform for both established and up-and-coming drivers to showcase their talents. Some of our drivers have competed with distinction against the best touring car drivers in the world. Touring cars has also provided an excellent marketing platform for the motor companies, tyre companies, oil companies and others.

"Now it’s time to move on. On behalf of TOCA I’d like to thank all the sponsors who have been associated with the series, in particular Bankfin, for their valuable support. We are quite sure they will not be lost to motor sport," Duxbury added.

Bekker van Wyk, ABSA’s general manager of sponsorships, expressed his company’s regret that the Bankfin Touring Car Championship had come to the end of its road. "We have been very happy with the exposure we have received through the excellent media coverage of the series. The quality of the competition has been outstanding and the formula has grown in stature.

"Bankfin is proud to have been associated with touring cars for the past four years and we say ‘thank-you’ to the drivers, the teams, the technicians, the manufacturers, the circuit promoters, the other sponsors and the media for helping make touring cars South Africa’s premier circuit racing formula," Van Wyk said.

At the end of this season there will have been 160 touring car races since the series started at Kyalami in 1993. There have been four champions in the eight years. Giniel de Villiers, champion for the past four years in a Nissan, has been the most successful driver with 41 wins and 34 pole positions.

Michael Briggs, the 1993 and 1995 champion in an Opel, is the next most successful. He won 29 races and achieved 20 pole positions, driving for both Opel and BMW. Shaun van der Linde, the 1994 champion in a BMW, has 22 wins to his credit and 19 pole positions. Terry Moss, champion in 1996 in an Audi, has eight wins to his credit and three pole positions.

Nissan has been the most successful manufacturer, with 52 wins and 51 pole positions. Opel has had 42 wins and 25 pole positions, while BMW has enjoyed 39 wins and 33 pole positions.

Ends

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