Toyota Motorsport driver and multiple rally champion Mark Cronjé announced that he will be leaving the Castrol Toyota team to pursue his growing business interests with effect from 1 September 2010.
“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.
– Credit: Toyota of South Africa.