Lister pull-out threatens GT class

New series boss Stephane Ratel, who was behind the re-introduction of cars such as the Lister, the Saleen S7R and the Chrysler Viper GTS-R, explained that he would now have to review the viability of the class.

"Once we know exactly who is coming then we will know what to do," said Ratel, who wanted a minimum of four entries in GT. "I can't see it happening with only one car - that would make no sense. "I always stated that it would be a good idea to re-introduce these kinds of cars, but it was always conditional on actually getting the entries."

Lister boss Laurence Pearce blamed his withdrawal on the lack of quality and quantity of potential entrants in GT. "I've lost motivation to race at that level," he said. "There's not a lot of point in doing it because no one would get close to us. "Creation boss Ian Bickerton said that Lister's decision made his team's position in the series untenable.

"If there is no-one to race against there is no point in doing it," said Bickerton, who was planning to run a Storm for Jamie Derbyshire and Dan Eagling. "Our drivers didn't want to race against no opposition and, with only half points available if there were fewer than four entries, we couldn't have won the title.

"Former champion team Graham Nash Motorsport, meanwhile, remains committed to racing in the GT class with at least one Saleen S7R, although the squad has no drivers signed up for the car. Owner Graham Nash said: "We've got one car doing the whole season for definite and want to run another in selected races. We have British sponsors and need to be out there."

Derbyshire will switch to Creation's FIA GT Championship team, while Patrick Pearce will do likewise with the factory team.