MARK CRONJE LEAVES CASTROL TOYOTA
author:
The role of "spin doctors" are prominent in the American politics, and their job is to let something bad look good, something good look amazing and a great happening look like a miracle.
When Politician A is caught in the act by the husband of B, "Spinners" will let it look and sound if Mrs B are a much better wrestler than politician A and that was why she stripped his clothes off and at the time of Mr B walking in on the scene - she was in control of the fight. They will then make a big thing of the charity ball Mr A organised a year ago and tell the story of a person who benefited from the money they collected!
Anyone with eyes in his head and a bit of rally sense would have seen the signs of Mark Cronje leaving the Toyota team a while back already. I had no doubt - without any substantial proof however - that he would not be sitting in a Toyota again next year. Call it a gut feel, call it a calculated guess.
|
|
Mark Cronje and Robert Paisley - pre-1 September 2010
|
I also - and here I may be wrong - have no doubt that Leeroy Poulter is going to step into his shoes. The sad part however is that if Volkswagen does not grab Cronje or he manages to put together another deal the sport lost an excellent driver albeit for a short period of time.
Mark has been controversial as a rally driver and I have actually defended his talent many times - although even I have been disappointed by some of his antics behind a steering wheel.
Fact is that when he got his act together he had them sitting up taking serious notice and on a good day there are not many drivers in South Africa that will or can catch him.
But …that is my opinion and the official release states that, sad as it may sound or be, Mark announced that he was going to pursue his growing business with effect from 1 September 2010 - which must mean that he is in the Spring kitchen business?
I do however respect the announcement and will with immediate effect from the 3rd of September 2010 stop fiddling with the given reasons - so here goes:
“It was a very difficult decision for me, but in the interest of my growing kitchen construction business I have decided to take a sabbatical from racing to concentrate all my efforts on the business,” says Cronjé.
Cronjé, a multiple karting and track racing champion, joined the Toyota development team in 1996, winning the Production Car Class E title and Rookie of the Year award. In 1999, he moved to Class D in a Toyota Tazz.
He was introduced to off-road racing with the Castrol Toyota squad in 2003, and began earning his wings in rallying in 2006. He was the South African off-road Class E champion in 2005 and the national rally champion in Class A6 in 2006 and Class A7 in 2007.
Since 2006 he has raced in both the top S2000 rally and SP off-road classes and during this time won 3 national rallies and 1 off-road event.
His business concern led to his decision to stop participating in the National Off-Road series two years ago. According to Cronjé it has now reached a point where he is forced to spend even more time managing it.
“I am very sad to leave at this vital point in the season, but have done so in the interest of the team. Hopefully it will allow Toyota Motorsport enough time to find a replacement and get him accustomed to the Auris S2000 so he can be a serious championship contender for next year,” Cronjé added.
Toyota Motorsport team manager Glyn Hall says although Mark’s decision was unexpected, he fully understands the reasons for it. “Mark has been associated with Toyota since his teenage years and has been a stalwart in the team for nearly two decades.
“It is very difficult to simultaneously manage a growing business and a racing career and Mark took a long term view on his future, recognising the need to concentrate on his business. We respect his decision and would like to thank Mark for his invaluable contribution over the years. We wish him well with his future ventures.”
Hall added that Cronje’s decision will not affect his co-driver Robert Paisley. An announcement on a replacement for Cronje will be made before the Cape Swartland Rally on 17 and 18 September
|
|
