BFGoodrich committed, sorry to see Pirelli go.

BF Goodrich have confirmed their commitment to the FIA World Rally Championship in 2007, when they look set to be the sole tyre supplier, following confirmation that Pirelli will quit the sport at the end of this season.

BF Goodrich supply all but one of the manufacturer-backed teams this year, namely the Subaru World Rally team, however, next season all the teams look set to use their tyres.

"BFGoodrich, a tyre brand of the Michelin Group, chose to partner certain teams competing in the 2006 World Rally Championship," read a statement from BF Goodrich. "This decision represented a long term commitment aimed at reinforcing its brand awareness, notably in Europe. The announcement of the withdrawal from the World Rally Championship of its rival Pirelli at the end of 2006 does not affect this commitment and the BFGoodrich brand will be present in the WRC in 2007."

BF Goodrich rallies programme manager, Aime Chatard meanwhile added that while Pirelli's exit was a blow, he pledged they will do all they can to provide all their teams will an equal chance of winning in 2007.

"I am sorry to see Pirelli withdraw from the WRC after such a long presence in rallying," he added. "BFGoodrich will nonetheless do everything in its power to produce tyres of equal quality and performance potential for all the manufacturers that compete in the 2007 World Rally Championship. At the same time, BFGoodrich will make its technical expertise available to the tyre working group set up by the FIA with a view to determining tyre regulations adapted to the demands of rallying in the future."