Suzuki Sport to cease all motorsport activities

Suzuki Sport have announced that they will cease all of their motorsport activities at the end of this year.

“Suzuki Sport Europe was present in the J-WRC from the beginning and been a determinant part of the J-WRC. We are very happy and proud that we could do that, and to have won [the title] three times. We would like to thank to all of our fans for all their encouragement.” said Nobuhiro Tajima, Suzuki Sport chairman.

Suzuki have competed in the J-WRC since its inception in 2001 winning three titles in 2004, 2007 and 2010 with P-G Andersson and Aaron Burkart. Originally, they competed with the Suzuki Ignis S1600, then progressing on to the Swift S1600.

“We secured the J-WRC title two times with P-G Andersson and now I am also very happy that we are champions again. In the name of Suzuki Sport Europe personally I’d like to thank for Aaron [Burkart] his efforts and congratulate him for his first J-WRC title.”

Burkart sealed the title, his first, after taking one win, two podiums and two other points finishes.

“I am so happy and I’d like to thank all at Suzuki Sport Europe for helping me achieve the title. They did a perfect job and built me a new car in three days after I crashing during our test on the Monday before the start.”

Tajima also stated that Suzuki will close its Hungary base and instead will be run by Monster Sport Europe, a firm based in Britain.

“From next year Suzuki Sport Europe will join Monster Sport Europe in the UK. Suzuki Sport Europe has already made a decision to close its workshop in Hungary by the end of 2010 and transfer operations over to Monster Sport Europe. So I have to say that Aaron Burkart has made a remarkable result in the final year of J-WRC history."