WRC » Suzuki cans World Rally programme

Just when they started to improve...

Is a real shame - not just for Suzuki and Toni and P-G, but the sport too. Sign of the times I guess though...

I don't understand this. Why are the Japanese carmakers stopping from motorsports? While GM is still racing...

M Bee, because the Japs took maths when they were younger?

Racing can make you money but you have to spend some first. If you can't afford that, then you end up whining like a bitch in congress for a bailout, like GM is doing, after running the company to the ground.

Japanese manufacturers are traditionally run overall by 'suits' who aren't so sentimental when it comes to cutting sport programmes. If it isn't needed, it is gone - it's a sad sign of things to come because I doubt Suzuki will be the last to go...

thats such a shame...i always look out for the little suzuki's , the motor industry is in deep **** all over the world....i think we are going to lose more manufactures from racing...bikes and cars.

Motorsport is in a very bad place at the moment. It is so sad that Suzuki have had to withdraw, the Swift and the SX4 are both beautiful cars and the progress they made in WRC this year was really great. I feel very sad for the whole team but especially for Toni and P-G who put a lot of effort and patience into this year and who are both fantastic drivers. I hope this economic downturn doesn't continue to ruin our sport and I wish Toni and P-G lots of luck in finding a team for next year.

m bee. gm may be still racing, but the american taxpayer is paying for it. they are also paying for ford, with ford europe looking for assistance from uk and german govts. suzuki are not crying out for aid, so all credit to them for trying to sort out the problem themselves, as are the other japanese mfrs. it is still sad to see them witdrawing, just as they were becoming competitive.

Yeh its pretty sad, but there will be many more tough decisions from big Name companies, Ford and Citroen can maybe justify their involment in the WRC a bit more due to their success' - even though Ford have asked for a USD$9 Billion line of credit from the Senate "Just incase" they need some money. As Fords WRC budget comes from the homeland they are now doing the WRC a season at a time as apposed to 3 or 5 year commitments. Suzuki were on a real shoe string budget anyway, they were talking about taking a sabatical in 2009 so Im not surprised they withdrew competely with the current crisis facing Car Manufactures. I feel bad for P.G especially because he is young and has a lot of potential.

Yeah but then there is talk of the Subaru and Ford B teams so maybe an opportunity there?