Dutch Molenaar Racing Team who has been in Grand Prix racing since 1994 (with two World titles) has decided to withdraw from the 2011 125cc championship.
The problem is as usual for everyone, sponsorship funding.
The team who were to have fielded Luis Salom and Jasper Iwema, were short 350,000 euros to cover their racing budget, that is between 1 and 2 million euros a year and this was due to the fact that the much expected TV coverage deal between Dorna and Dutch satellite channel Sport 1 fell through.
No visibility, no money, it’s that simple.
Dutch rider Jasper Iwema tried his best to raise the missing funds to meet the week deadline that the team took before making they’re final decision, asking for donations through his ‘Help Jasper’ Twitter page, fanclub and even through SMS’s and despite warm responses by fans and small companies, the goal wasn’t reached so team owner Arie Molenaar has decided to pull the plug.
It is expected that both Salom and Iwema will not remain jobless and will find other 125cc teams to race for before the start of the season.