Dragon Motor Racing’s two wildcard entries for the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 have been officially withdrawn.
The first-year Dunlop Series outfit had been awarded a single wildcard for the Sandown 500 and two for the Bathurst 1000, where it planned to run ex-Garry Rogers Motorsport Holden Commodores.
As previously reported, Dragon owner Tony Klein informed those close to the project in mid-August that funding to field the cars under the team’s own banner would not be forthcoming.
After discussions with other Dunlop Series outfits to rescue a single-car Bathurst entry from the situation subsequently stalled, the wildcards have now officially been withdrawn.
The move leaves the Bathurst grid at 26 cars, with Super Black Racing’s Ford Performance Racing-run entry the only addition to the full-time championship runners.
“Our major concern about racing at Bathurst in particular was the lack of experience we, as a very young team, have at our disposal,” said Klein in a statement.
“The key issues for our team is safety for our drivers and teams; and the possibility of jeopardising other teams’ chances at Bathurst and ultimately their championship results.”
Klein’s under-staffed Dunlop Series team endured a disastrous trio of outings at Winton, Townsville and Queensland Raceway.
The squad will be absent from the year’s remaining rounds but, according to Klein, plans to return in 2015.
“Although we are very disappointed we have acknowledged our shortfalls as a team and taken appropriate steps to improve our equipment, spares, systems, processes and staffing,” he said.
“Our plan is for the long term viability of our team and its’ progression.
“We are now focusing on 2015 in the Dunlop Series to build our experience, especially in the areas of safety and compliance. I am sure in 2015 you will see a much improved DMR.”
Kristian Lindbom had been Dragon’s only confirmed driver for Bathurst, having debuted the team’s latest ex-GRM Dunlop Series car at Queensland Raceway.
Tim Macrow, who raced for Dragon at Winton and Townsville, split with the squad in July but will return to the second-tier V8 class at Bathurst in an RSport entered Holden.
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