Hyundai's future uncertain

It was a case of sad news for the Hyundai WRC team as they have been forced to s it out the Rallye Sanremo and possibly the rest of the 2003 season.

Armin Schwarz.

Photo by Hyundai World Rally Team.

The team, which has not fared as well as they hoped, has now been hit by a contract dispute between the Hyundai Motor Corporation and the Motor Sport Development, who prepare and run the Hyundai cars. The fallout may leave the team high and dry f or the next several years.

MSD announced that the dispute between Hyundai and themselves has failed to resolve itself, but, they are hopeful that the financial problems will be sorted out, allowing the team to compete in the final three events.

Hyundai has had an up and down year - both cars have at times ran in the top ten during competition, but after ten rounds of World Rally Championship they have garnered only 12 points in the manufacturers' standings,

Driver Armin Schwarz currently sits 17th in the drivers' standings with three points while teammate Freddy Loix recently scored one point at the Rally Australia. "I'm absolutely delighted to get a driver point at last," Loix stated at the end of the Australian rally.

"I understand that if we haven't got any money then we can't do any rallies," expressed Schwarz when told the news of the team's pulling out of the Italian Rallye Sanremo. "I find it strange that this thing h as gone on for so long and got so far."

Loix added, "There is nothing we can do. I will come to Sanremo and watch the rally, but it's not like competing. I feel sorry for the team, everybody at MSD has worked really hard this year."

Editor's Note: October 4, 2003

Hyundai and MSD has announced that they will withdraw from the remaining 2003 WRC events. The company plans to return in mid-2006 with a new program and car.