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Marc VDS to cease car racing after 2015

Spa 24 Hours-winning team Marc VDS has announced it will stop its car racing activities after the final race of this year's European Le Mans Series.

#52 BMW Team Marc VDS BMW Z4: Andy Priaulx, Henry Hassid, Jesse Krohn

#52 BMW Team Marc VDS BMW Z4: Andy Priaulx, Henry Hassid, Jesse Krohn

XPB Images

#52 BMW Team Marc VDS BMW Z4: Andy Priaulx, Henry Hassid, Jesse Krohn
#52 BMW Team Marc VDS BMW Z4: Andy Priaulx, Henry Hassid, Jesse Krohn
Marc Van Der Straten - Team Owner: Marc VDS Racing
#52 BMW Team Marc VDS BMW Z4: Andy Priaulx, Henry Hassid, Jesse Krohn
#52 BMW Team Marc VDS BMW Z4: Andy Priaulx, Henry Hassid, Jesse Krohn
#52 BMW Team Marc VDS BMW Z4: Andy Priaulx, Henry Hassid, Jesse Krohn
#52 BMW Team Marc VDS BMW Z4: Andy Priaulx, Henry Hassid, Jesse Krohn
#52 BMW Team Marc VDS BMW Z4: Andy Priaulx, Henry Hassid, Jesse Krohn
Tito Rabat, Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS
Tito Rabat, Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS

The team, which won this year's Spa race with a BMW Z4, will continue to race in MotoGP and Moto2, but said on Tuesday that the final ELMS round at Estoril on 18 October will be its last outing in GT racing.

Team president Marc van der Straten said his passion for four-wheel racing was gone and that he feels "betrayed" by his collaborators, but denied the decision to quit GTs was based on financial reasons.

"It was eight years ago that I started out on my own in Gosselies with Belgian Racing, to build an ambitious racing team recognisable by our distinctive feline emblem," said van der Straten.

"We must recognise that things have changed. So much so that today my passion for racing is gone. Collaborators have betrayed both my trust and the family spirit of our team.

"I am 67 years old and I do not have the time left to accept behaviour that disrespects the moral principles I hold dear.

"I am tired by the lack of professionalism of some of the people I, wrongly, placed in key positions within the team. I'm tired of those who have no other purpose but to financially jeopardise our business, even to the point of bankruptcy.

"That is why I have decided today to bring down the curtain on Belgian Racing and end my long association with four-wheeled motorsport."

Marc VDS won the Pro Cup Team in the Blancpain Endurance Series in 2013 and finished on the podium of the 24 Hours of Nurburgring twice before winning the 24 Hours of Spa this year.

"Of course, I do not forget our beautiful victory with the BMW Z4 GT3 at the 24 Hours of Spa this season, but it will not be repeated," van der Straten added.

"How can I accept being forced to race in an entire championship just to have the right to race in this one event? The man has not yet been born who can tell me what to do at home, in Belgium!"

He added: "Be reassured, the Marc VDS Racing Team is not dead either, quite the opposite in fact. The car is dead, long live the bike!

"Since the beginning of our adventure in the Moto2 world championship six years ago we have had one world champion and two vice-world champions.

"I have enjoyed these exceptional results, which were achieved by professional people for whom success is the only reward they require.

"It is a team that has secured great results and built new projects happily and with good humour; what more could I ask for?"

Marc VDS took Esteve Rabat to the Moto2 title in 2014, and the Spaniard will progress to the premier class next season aboard a factory-spec Honda RC213V in place of current rider Scott Redding.

LCR Honda rider Jack Miller is also expected to join the team as part of an expanded two bike line-up.

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