The Daily Forex

Four-time World Superbike champion Carl Fogarty has decided not to return to racing as a team owner in 2008 after failing to find a major sponsor.

Fogarty had signed a deal with legendary Italian manufacturer MV Augusta but has decided to pull the plug on his race team activities.

Lack of sponsor: Carl Fogarty

Fogarty, whose team was previously backed by Petronas, told www.eurosport.com: “Everyone knows that this is a difficult time for motorcycle sponsorship. However, we hoped that the combination of my team with an iconic brand such as MV Agusta would have been an attractive proposition for potential sponsors both in the UK and abroad.

“Regrettably, despite the enormous excitement generated amongst motorcycle fans, this has not proved to be the case, leading us to the conclusion that the market will not support a professionally-run outfit of our size without significant financial input from a manufacturer.

“So I have decided to bring this chapter of my career to an end by putting our state-of-the-art facility at Burton, our race trailer and hospitality unit up for sale.”

MV are understood to be talking to former grand prix racer Kenny Roberts about moving his team from MotoGP to World Superbikes.

But as news of Fogarty’s decision was announced, BMW revealed they were moving into the World Superbike championship for the 2009 season.

BMW development vice president Peter Muller said: “In 2007 BMW returned to road racing with the sports boxer after more than 50 years.

“In 2008 we will continue our activities in the endurance category. At the same time we will be preparing our entry into the Superbike World Championship in 2009 with great intensity.”

No Comments

Filed under General