Sport   Motorsport   Touring Cars

Infiniti pull the plug on Support Our Paras Racing

By MJP Media | 29 May 2015

Only three race weekends into the 2015 British Touring Car Championship, Infiniti Cars have parted company with Support Our Paras Racing after what appeared to be a very difficult relationship between the two parties.

Derek Palmer got the team's best result to date at Thruxton

Matters seemed to come to a head at the BTCC's Thruxton round with the bizarre situation of team driver Richard Hawken finding out that he had been replaced when he read it on Facebook as he was leaving home go to the circuit. The confusion was evident at the circuit itself where the matter had become known in the media centre at lunchtime on the Friday, but nobody could report anything until Infiniti themselves gave permission. This was clear evidence that the team and the manufacturer were not quite on the same wavelength and it has become evident that both parties had decidedly different opinions in a significant number of areas.

Support Our Paras Racing team principal Derek Palmer Snr explained: "Naturally we wish Infiniti well in the future, but the team is now in the strong position where it can refocus and concentrate on developing and growing the team in keeping with its core beliefs: that is delivering on-track and raising funds for, and awareness of, Support Our Paras, the Parachute Regiment charity."

Replacement driver Martin Donnelly at the wheel of his Q50

The team will continue to run the two NGTC Infiniti Q50s, number 22 driven by Derek Palmer and number 85 which will continue to be driven by replacement driver Martin Donnelly who was parachuted in at Thruxton. Palmer delivered the team's best finish of the season to date, 17th, as it builds towards its mid-season goal of finishing in the top 15.

Palmer Snr continued: "Support Our Paras Racing team's race cars are prepared by injured ex-servicemen from the Parachute Regiment and all team profits will ultimately be donated to Support Our Paras, the official Regiment charity."

Richard Hawken was replaced by the team after two meetings

Series director Alan Gow said: "Of course the relationship between the two parties is a matter purely between themselves. However the BTCC should thank Infiniti for their considerable initial investment, which enabled the team to build and compete with the Q50 - and it's pleasing to note that the team will continue with those cars. Perhaps we may also see Infiniti themselves return to the BTCC, sometime in the not too distant future."

Infiniti have chosen not to comment at this point and it is clearly a difficult situation for the manufacturer. Whether further comments by either party will dampen down the inevitable speculation in the run up to the Oulton Park meeting is debatable. There is still time to enter our free competition to win tickets to Oulton Park by visiting our preview article here. Competition ends at 12:00 on June 2nd.

Touring Car content supplied by MJP Media