JDR now is part of 204F-history

After months of speculation today Joerg Dankert announced the closing of his racing team JDR.

From next weekend on JDR is history and follows Pistonheads, GGGM and others. The drivers are free to join new teams, the staff will get new jobs from Brunel, the hardware is already sold, the office in Surrey will be closed and cleaned on Monday and tomorrow the website will go offline.

For some journalists and so called experteers it was a long awaited logical step and for others this decision was shocking and depressing, because again the importance and influence of the market side of motorsport was proved.

After weeks without any race from Joerg Dankert the sponsors became nervous and finally the first one left and canceled his contract. “Sponsors want wins, podiums, results and development. This we couldn’t deliver since December as much as needed.”

More financial pressure built up as some money from tv and marketing from racing series was not transferred. Some series were canceled and in some series the top drivers left for newer racing plattforms. “We had anticipated this and believed we could manage it. There even was a plan to establish a PS3 racing team, but after all I must say: My vision and hopes were bigger, than my sense for the possible.”

„I won’t describe my inner feelings, because it hurts terrible and it feels like „I lost and I personally was not able to „reach for more“.“, JDANKERT said with a low voice. „My drivers – Church, Mapo, Antz, Stevie, Aboheart, Sim and Jorm – did their best, delivered excellent results and showed their patience and I am sure they will achieve their goals. All of them have the winner gene and they will get offers from other team owners to join.” It is also a possibility that some will built up own teams.

Asked about his own future Joerg Dankert answered: “I am a racer. I hate to give up, but for now there are more important things to do on life, than to play a role as team owner. First my family needs more time with me and secondly during the last months I had to recognize, that I am not thirty anymore. There are days in which I am exhausted and tired. The responsibilities were so many, that I did not realize and feel how much energy I had lost. I need time to build up new energy and I am sure that someday in the future I will be back on track as a regular driver in a series. For the next weeks I will appear as guest driver in some races to keep my skills on the highest possible level.”

With a tear in his eyes his last words in this press conference were: “I thank all, who worked together with me, who made JDR to one of the successful 204F-teams and I am proud of being part of the FM4 history. It was pure fun and always will be all about fun! JDR says bye-bye for now.”