World Challenge has only 4 cars on entry list

The World Challenge series is struggling for entrants in 2010. With the start of the season just over a month away, only four cars are currently on the entry list.

The change to the regulations for the World Challenge Touring class were designed to decrease costs, but so far the effect has been quite the opposite.

With last years Touring cars now only eligible for the new GTS class, teams will have to start with new machinery for the season.

Mazda & BMW have left the series for the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, with Bimmerworld itself leaving, whilst Mazda’s backing has moved to Freedom Autosport & i-MOTO – who have just expanded their team further.

Acura’s position is not known, early rumours suggested they may still compete, but nothing has been said recently.

The four car entry list comprises of Shea Holbrook, who will drive for her own team in a Honda Integra-R.

The other three cars are all entered by APM Racing, who will enter a mix of cars for drivers Dale Laasko, Richard Ho & Tommy Chen. An Acura RSX, A Mazda Protege & a Mazda RX-8 respectively.

Last years champion Pierre Kleinubing, then driving for Acura, has now been confirmed to be driving the i-MOTO Mazdaspeed3 in the Continental Tire Challenge, and his chief rival from last year, Jason Saini, is already driving an RX-8 for Team MER.

With the drivers and manufacturers jumping ship, it’s unlikely that the grid will look anything like it did last season, with the change in sponsorship, coverage and regulations having a very powerful impact on the state of the series.