WPS/WOW Racing withdraw from V8s

Gore suffered an inner ear injury in October 2007, and although he has recovered well since, he still needs to avoid loud noise, not something that can be avoided at a race track.

This, and an increased commitment to his businesses, led to the decision to withdraw his team according to Gore.

"It's been an exciting journey and I would like to think that we did it our own way at WPS Racing over the past four seasons," Gore said in a statement.

"Operating a successful team in this sport is an enormous challenge. When we started this team back in 2004 I underestimated the time required to run a team that could win races on a consistent basis.

"With my business interests absorbing more and more of my time and my doctor continually in my one good ear telling me how important it is to look after myself, I just cannot dedicate the time and effort required to mould our operation into a race-winning V8 Supercar team.

"It is my belief that if you are not in this game to win races, then you shouldn't be around."

The team's two licences have been sold to undisclosed parties, with the team's cars and equipment to be sold separately.

It is unclear whether there will be a full grid at the first round of the series in a fortnight.

However, despite the team's withdrawal from V8 Supercar racing, Gore's company Wright Patton Shakespeare will continue its naming rights of the V8 Supercar Safety Car program for the next five years.

His commitments with Team Australia and Will Power in the Champ Car World Series remain unchanged, despite Power missing this year's opening test at Sebring.