ProRally: USAF withdraws from 2004 competition

Air Force Reserve Rally Team withdraws from 2004 season.

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. - The Air Force Reserve Command has announced the withdrawal of its sponsorship of the Air Force Reserve Rally Team from the SCCA ProRally open class for the 2004 season.

"This was a tough decision because we got to know some fantastic people through our association with ProRally," said Lt. Col. Jerry Herbel, chief, Advertising and Information Systems Division for the Air Force Reserve Command Recruiting Service. "I especially want to thank Tim O'Neil and Alex Gelsomino for all their efforts on our behalf. They truly went "Above and Beyond" for us, and we are grateful."

"Unfortunately, the marketing situation in the series has changed drastically in the last few months," said Herbel. "Although we made every effort to stay involved, it eventually became clear that it will be impossible for us to reach our marketing goals next year and we can't afford to make a large investment under those circumstances," he said.

Although it won't be competing, the Air Force Reserve will continue to honor its 2004 commitment to the SCCA Pro Rally Partnership Agreement, which was developed to underwrite the ProRally series organizers.

The departure from the ProRally series does not mean the end of the Air Force Reserve's involvement in motorsports, explained Herbel. "We will make an announcement concerning our plans for 2004 in the coming weeks."

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