Weel deals himself out

[Dufus]

Weel deals himself out

ONE of the major players in V8 Supercar racing, the PWR team sponsored by Supercheap Auto, has quit the sport.

The team owner Kees Weel said yesterday he would shut down the team at the end of this season after 10 years of racing.

Weel has offered his two Level One racing licences - estimated to be worth at least $3 million - for sale or lease.

Weel's family company PWR Performance Products supported the Holden race team, which had its best years when Jason Bright and Greg Murphy raced for the team from 2003 to 2005.

He said overseas business interests, which now dominated his time, forced him to sell the team.

"There's never a good time to have to tell the guys there won't be a team next year but I considered the best option was to inform them now and give them all the chance to find a new home before the start of next season," Weel said last night.

"It also gives potential team owners time to negotiate for a V8 Supercar licence before next season.

"We've had plenty of good memories of our 10 years in the sport but the company's focus has gradually changed direction.

"The company's expansion plans are the main reason I have made the tough decision."

Although a staff of approximately 20 are now looking for a job, current drivers Cameron McConville and Paul Dumbrell should have no problems.

McConville has already been linked with the Albury-based Team BOC while Dumbrell is said to have done a deal with the Queensland-based Stone Brothers Racing.

The lucrative Supercheap sponsorship now looks certain to be directed to another Holden team.

Weel's team has had a poor racing year with drivers well back in the championship and the lowlight being the first lap retirement of the Supercheap car at Bathurst - in the race carrying the sponsor's name.

Gold Coast property developer John Marshall announced in May he was going to buy the team but later pulled out of the deal.

Meanwhile, the Queensland city of Townsville will echo to the roar of V8 Supercar racing - as the NSW Government continues to resist the plan to race the cars around the streets of Sydney.

Townsville officials yesterday announced a Federal Government grant of $10 million as the last part of a jigsaw which will allow them to develop a sporting complex around the city with the first V8 race planned for 2009.

While V8 officials were jubilant at the Townsville announcement yesterday, they remain disappointed the NSW Government has continually baulked at plans for a street race around the Olympic complex at Homebush Bay.

Taken from news.com.au: Weel deals himself out | The Daily Telegraph

There are heaps of different rumours of where Paul Dumbrell will be driving next year. It has been rumoured that he will be driving for Stone Brothers Racing next year, and it has also been said that he will be driving for Holden Racing Team next year and Todd Kelly, who's contract expires at the end of the year will take up the Stone Brothers Drive, however i think this is unlikely, one things for sure, it will be an interesting off season.