Sprint Gas Racing Disbands

Formerly known as Lansvale Smash Repairs and then Tasman Motorsport until the beginning of last year, the team sold its Racing Entitlement Contracts (REC) yesterday to Lucas Dumbrell Racing and Tony D’Alberto Racing.

SGR’s Dandenong factory assets, including a transporter, engines, tools and equipment, will be sold to other teams.

The team has advised that drivers Greg Murphy and Jason Bargwanna are both in advanced stages of negotiations with other teams and are well placed to secure seats for next year.

Sprint Gas Racing co-owner Kevin Murphy will take two Sprint Gas VE Commodores to use in the Fujitsu Series next year.

Current SGR key personnel under the guidance of team chief Mike Henry are looking to set up a race preparation facility in Melbourne, possibly in league with engine man Royce McCort.

“It is a shame to end such an era in the sport, but our business model would not support the sporting success that we desired,” team co-owner, Tim Miles, said.

“During the period of our ownership, the team has showed promise, generally in the enduros, and we were gutted to come so close but still miss out on a pair of podiums at Bathurst this year, with the Skaifey and Murph car as well as Bargs and (Mark) Noske.

“The fact remains that our structure was not going to allow us to grow into a team that consistently challenged for podiums, in such a competitive environment that is V8s.

“But, we have had a great team of guys and they will move on to bigger and better positions in the sport.”

Miles acknowledged the support of all the team’s sponsors.

“Especially Fuchs (which has been with the team for seven years), Sprint Gas and all of the others, plus give a special mention to original founders Steve Reed and Trevor Ashby, who have been very much a part of the fabric of this team.”

Tasman’s 24 year lineage dates back to 1986 when Lansvale owners Reed and Ashby appeared as privateers in pitlane in a VK Commodore, winning the Privateers Cup in 1988.

The duo subsequently made 16 Bathurst starts to hold the record for most starts by a single combination in the history of the race.

Under Tasman ownership, the team achieved memorable results with runner-up finishes at Bathurst in 2005 and 2008 and third place in the 2005 Sandown 500.

Fulltime drivers over the period also included Cameron McConville, Jason Richards and Jamie Whincup, with debut drives from Fabian Coulthard and Andrew Jones.

Source:www.v8supercars.com.au