Overnight it was announced that Wollongong rider, Mitchell Carr, had split with his sponsors in the World Supersports Championship.
“After a very tough season competing in the famous World Supersport category, the current Australian Supersport Champion Mitchell Carr and the Aark Racing Team have parted company due to financial circumstances.
Mitchell says, “I would like to thank Andy and Anthea Offer from the Aark racing Team for the amazing opportunity to be competing in the… extremely tough World Supersport Championship. I commend Andy Offer for his efforts to bring an Australian Team to the World Championship level”.
Mitchell is currently exploring his options for the remainder of the 2013 and into the 2014 season.
Mitchell would like to thank his loyal sponsors for the ongoing support. Without the assistance it could not have been possible.”
I have watched Mitchell’s career since he started racing down here along with his brother, Brayden and I have always been impressed with both his talent and his commitment. I interviewed Mitchell at this year’s WSBK meeting and he was so looking forward to a full-scale tilt at the world championship. With the momentum of an Australian Supersport Championship under his belt (the first win by a non-Japanese bike in the history of the title) it was a huge achievement to even gain an entry in the WSS.
Hiowever, I have always been concerned that the money required to mount a full campaign was going to be more than what a local team, no matter how dedicated they are could manage. I met Anthea and Andy at PI and they are super people. But, thinking about it this morning, I can see how a full campaign could easily cost a million or even more. Such is the high cost of just being there. Imagine, then, what the teams at the pointy end of the grid are spending. Suddenly it seems more than just a little sensible that the organisers are loojking at ways of reducing costs for entrants so that more people can participate.
I wish Mitch well. It is going to be very tough to try and find a competitive ride this far into the season, especially with so many other talented riders (many of whom have steady financial backing) being available.
It’s never been easy and it isn’t getting any easier.