February 17, 2001
The A Racing- BMW GPVWC team have been saved from folding by their former driver Chris Connolly.

The team was set to leave the GPVWC after Richard and Andrew Dickson conceded that they no longer wished, or had time, to participate in the 2001 season. Connolly stepped in and agreed to formally take over the team rebranding it as CVRT - BMW. The team will still be running the exact same car as A Racing intended to use and will also still be using Christian Neumann as their number 1 driver.

The search is now on for a suitable number 2 driver however and there are rumours abound the paddock that Connolly will be willing to take on a driver from whichever new team fails to make the grade in the practice race.

Chris Connollys Official Press Release

"Earlier today I heard about A-Racing quitting the GPVWC. The decision came after Richard Dickson decided on leaving due to other committments. Andrew Dickson felt he had the only option to pull his team out of the GPVWC."

"I am currently the A-Racing Press Officer and Website moderator and felt that this would be unfair towards Christian Neumann as he, who most likely thought he was joining a very stable, and fast team, will be left without a drive in the GPVWC for 2001. So I have now made a committment which I feel will save the team, naming myself the new Team Manager of A-Racing. But since A-Racing was named after Andrew Dickson, the previous team manager, I will have to change the team from A-Racing to CVRT (Connolly Virtual Racing Team) and I must not forget to thank my no.1 driver Christian Neumann for his ideas on names for the team, and thanx for the CVRT name. This way, Christian will keep his drive with the team."

"There is still the number 2 driver needed. I will decide on what's happening with that later today, and hope I can find a willing competitor for the job."

"Since I will be taking over the team before the start of the 2001 season, I will have to introduce a new car livery for the team. This I have absolutely no idea how to do, but I'm sure I will work it out, and hope to get a design finished before the start of the Melbourne Grand Prix in early March."

"Good luck to all in the Trial Race in Magny-Cours France, and just have a good time."

Championship Manager, Daniel Lawrence, commented:

"This is fantastic news for the A Racing team and the GPVWC."

"Chris Connolly is dedicated and committed to A Racing as he proved all through last season with the A racing website, also his driving skills when he drove for the team in 2000".

"It would have been incredibly unfair on Christian Neumann to have left him without a drive and this is perfect for him."