20/2/2003

Beacon Motorsport have confirmed they are "highly unlikely" to enter the British Touring Car Championship's Touring or Production classes in 2003.

Team manager Chris Boon said funding woes have led to the team putting their plans to run MGs in the Touring class on hold.

Spencer Marsh, who is managed by the team and drove their Production class Honda Accord last season, is likely to be found drives in other series.

Boon, however, is still keen to make his BTC-Touring plans work. He said: "You never know, this time next week things could have changed but as it stands at the moment we won't be out.

"It's a shame because we'd really like to be on the Touring class grid - that was the plan all along when we announced it towards the end of last season. But finding budget in motorsport at present is very difficult, for just about anyone.

"If the situation changes, then we'd be there like a shot. I think it's more realistic to say that Spencer will drive outside of touring cars this year, while Beacon work towards returning as a team in 2004."