Lundgaard switches to racing

The Dane, who defeated works Citroen driver Bruno Thiry to lift the European title last year, will drive a Toyota Corolla in his country's domestic touring car championship. It will be a slower machine than the Corolla WRC he's used on the world's rally stages over the past few seasons, however.

"The Danish Toyota importer didn't have any plans to go rallying for next year," said Lundgaard, "and they are good to work with. We didn't have anything else in place and the chance to race the Group A-spec Corolla was there, so it looks like we will at least be taking a short break from rallying."

Lundgaard believes his chances of continuing rallying were hit hard by persistent rumours that the FIA Teams Cup (which he is tackling this year) will be axed or radically altered for 2002.

"For sure the lack of a decision about Teams Cup is one of the bigger reasons for our problem," he said. "How can you plan a programme or talk to sponsors when you don't even know what the championship is going to be or cost? It's crazy - by the end, we didn't have any other option but to look elsewhere."

Lundgaard remains committed to this year's FIA Teams Cup, which continues in Sanremo in October. "We're 110 percent behind this year's series," he said, "and we'll be hoping to take maximum points in Sanremo. I'm not retiring from rallying - we certainly hope to compete on the stages now and then - but we'll have a lower profile next year for sure."