Infiniti pulls support for Support our Paras team
Three race weekends into the Dunlop British Touring Car Championship season, Infiniti and the Support our Paras team have issued a statement saying they've agreed to part company, claiming they had different expectations.
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.”
The team will continue to run two NGTC Infiniti Q50s — Car 22 is driven by Derek Palmer, and Car 85 which was piloted as a development test by BTCC debutant, ex-F1 racer Martin Donnelly last time out at Thruxton — and have continued to improve through the early part of the season. At Thruxton, Palmer delivered the team’s best finish of the season, 17th, as it builds towards its midseason goal of finishing in the top 15.
“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,” Palmer Snr continued.
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, some time in the not too distant future.”