Pirelli & Cie SpA will pull out of the World Rally Championship (WRC) at the end of 2006. Meanwhile, Michelin North America Inc.-made BFGoodrich tires will be used by certain teams in the series.
Pirelli had tires in the series for 34 years.
"The reasons (for our withdrawal) are marketing-led, and were heavily influenced by the withdrawal of both Peugeot and Mitsubishi at the end of 2005," Paul Hembry, Pirelli's motorsports director, told moderntiredealer.com.
"This left us with limited exposure in the championship, which in itself has also had reduced numbers of top line entrants. We will reconsider our position should the climate of the WRC change."
