BFGoodrich's and Michelin's spell in the FIA World Rally Championship came to a close on the Rally GB last weekend.

It was a poignant moment for the Michelin Group, which has been involved in the WRC uninterrupted for 34 years - notching up 256 victories, 23 manufacturers' titles and 20 drivers' crowns in association with the partners of its brands Michelin and since 2006, BFGoodrich.

Next year the WRC will have a control tyre and with Pirelli having been awarded the tyre tender by the FIA for the period 2008-2010 back in February 2007, a decision which still irks Michelin, Rally GB was the French companies' final event - for now - at the top level.

Speaking following the 16th round in the championship, where BFGoodrich notched up their 32nd win and their four world title, rally manager, Matthieu Bonardel noted that they definitely won't forget it - especially as the conditions in Wales, which threw everything at the drivers' from fog and rain to gale force winds and icy roads, made it a real challenge.

“I don't think we will ever forget our last rally in the World Championship,” Bonardel confirmed. “The conditions this year in Wales were incredible.

“A big bravo to Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena for their fourth world [drivers'] title and a big thank you, too, to all our partners and drivers who put their trust in BFGoodrich.”

Loeb and BP Ford's Marcus Gronholm meanwhile were amongst those to pay tribute to the role played by their Michelin/BFGoodrich tyres over the years. Indeed Gronholm gave BFGoodrich its first win, when he came out top on the Rallye Monte Carlo in 2006 - the brands debut WRC event.

"Before 2006, I had only ever competed on Michelin tyres in the World Championship. It was great to work with Michelin because they always had new compounds or evolutions to try,” said the Finn, who was also taking in his final WRC event.

“In 2006, I had the pleasure of continuing with the Michelin Group via a new brand, BFGoodrich. I am proud to have given BFGoodrich its first WRC win. We leave the WRC together now. It's the end of a fantastic association. We shared so many fantastic moments and wins together - a big thank you."

Seb echoed those thoughts and is aware that 2008 will be very different: "Ever since my debut, I have only ever competed on Michelin Group tyres which have helped me win 36 rallies and four world titles,” he added.

“I have always had the utmost confidence in its products and enjoyed an excellent working relationship with all the engineers and technical staff.

"Next season marks a step into the unknown, if only because we will no longer able to benefit from the safety of the mousse run-flat system."