Britek to accept Pirtek Rally development.

By Matthew Agius

The Pirtek Ford Rally Team will relocate to the Dandenong South headquarters of Jason Bright's Britek Motorsport team in 2007 as Ford Racing Australia ups the ante in an effort to claim next year's NEC Australian Rally Championship.

Britek Motorsport currently runs two Ford BA Falcons in the V8 Supercar Championship Series, but is predicted to next year downsize to one car for team owner Jason Bright as he switches over from Ford Performance Racing.

Ford currently operates the Pirtek Rally Team as a factory operation, and will continue to support the program through the new deal, however the re-location to Britek's facilities is a structured move to assist the team's transition from running a single rear-wheel drive Ford Focus to two new cars under Super 2000 regulations.

"The move to Britek Motorsport is part of a strategy to challenge in the highly-competitive Australian rally scene," said Ray Price, manager of Ford Racing Australia's operations.

"Britek has established race engineering as well as the facilities to offer the best outcome for the Pirtek Rally Team. Ford will continue to support this program, offering the required assistance when necessary."

Chris Jewell, Britek Motorsport's General Manager, is looking forward to taking control of the Pirtek Rally Team for 2007.

"People think of us being a V8 Supercar outfit, but we have always said that our business is about running professional racing programs for different categories," said Jewell.

The team does indeed have experience in other categories, namely GT racing with former driver Bryce Washington running a Porsche out of the team's headquarters.

"Our already extensive race facility is currently going through an upgrade including paint and panel facilities, and CNC metal lathe machines amongst other things.

"We also have established administration and management. This gives us greater economies across both the rally and V8 programs.

"Part of the deal is to run a second car. We'll make an announcement on that driver in the near future. Also a priority is an all-wheel-drive entry. We're in the process of establishing the ground work for at least one Super 2000 entry in 2007."

Pirtek rejoins Jason Bright after being associated with him at Stone Brothers Racing in 1998 and 1999. Despite having relinquished sponsorship of SBR last year, General Manager Stephen Dutton is pleased the chance to rekindle the association with Jason Bright has arisen for 2007.

"We have enjoyed our first year in the Australian Rally Championship and we see the move to Britek Motorsport as a very positive sign for the team," said Pirtek General Manager Stephen Dutton.

"It's a thrill to also be working with Jason Bright again. It was with Jason that we had great success winning Bathurst in 1998. Although it's been a few years since we've had a direct working relationship, we've always remained in contact.

"We have had a look through the race team facilities. I have to say that we have been impressed and we are very pleased to be working with a very professional organisation as this program grows.

"Pirtek's philosophy has always been to get in at start-up and grow through that progression. We see no reason why this won't continue with the Pirtek Rally Team and Britek Motorsport."

With Pirtek no longer sponsoring a V8 Supercar team in a major capacity, this new opportunity at Britek through the association with the Ford Rally Team could open a new sponsorship opportunity for the fledgling V8 operation.

Rumours surrounding Britek's sponsorship arrangements for the 2007 V8 Supercar Championship have been circulating the paddock since Caterpillar announced they would be leaving Ford Performance Racing at the end of 2007.

These rumours originally speculated that CAT money would go to Britek with Jason Bright however now there may now be a sponsorship possibility with Pirtek.

Regardless of Britek's V8 options for 2007, today's announcement was a step in the right direction for Ford's upstart rally program, and team leader Michael Guest was happy with the outcome.

"This is all very positive and I'm looking forward to 2007," said Michael Guest, one of Australia's first WRC drivers.

"There are some very exciting developments which as a driver I'm really looking forward to.

"All the people involved are highly professional and it'll also be a bonus to have a team-mate to give the team that double-punch in the events.

"We are going to be a team to watch in 2007 I have no doubt about that."