Toyota Stops
Toyota Australia have announced they will no longer officially support national championship rallying in their country. This follows nineteen years of constant participation in the ARC, in which time they gained the Australian manufacturers' title three times and the drivers' series six times, including 2008. Neal Bates who has prepared the Toyota team cars at his workshop in Canberra now has ownership of the team's cars and has the chance to run the cars without works support. Meanwhile the Toyota team in South Africa has confirmed they will continue supporting their own national championship with an official team but support for privateer involvement there is expected to be reduced. Both countries have been running versions of the Corolla Super 2000.

and Mitsubishi UK as well
Following immediately after the notice of withdrawal from Toyota Australia, Mitsubishi GB has ended their two-car work rally team which has been active in the British rally championship for the past four years. The current economic climate and pressures affecting the automotive industry are blamed for the decision. Those issues were the protracted debate about the homologation compliance of cars driven by Guy Wilks during the 2008 season, related to the legality of the steering column. That matter is still on-going, and is due to be finally settled at a hearing at the British federation in February. The company will continue to support the one-make national level Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge.

3mmm