Pirelli to quit World Rally Championship

Rumor has it that Pirelli will pull out of the FIA World Rally Championship at the end of this season. Although the Italian tire manufacturer has not put out an official statement, Pirelli's motorsport director, Paul Hembrey has confirmed to both the official WRC website and Autosport that their program with the Subaru World Rally team will cease following the Wales Rally GB in December, the final round of the 2006 FIA WRC championship.

"We felt that we were getting limited exposure after the loss of two of our partner teams. The decision was marketing-led and reflects feedback from our markets around the world. Motorsport is a marketing tool and is a service to a company. But we have a duty to the board and the shareholders and must go with what they decide," Hembrey told the official WRC website.