Land Rover abandons G4 challenge

Land Rover's epic G4 Challenge adventure race is the latest victim in the global money crunch - next year's event has been cancelled.

"Given the severity of the global economic downturn and trading conditions, we need to make some tough decisions and that means prioritising our budgets on new product launches. 

We are disappointed for the competitors who have shown so much commitment and put tremendous effort into succeeding as representatives of their nation.

We have and will continue to take swift and decisive actions for the benefit of the business; unfortunately that means the Land Rover G4 Challenge has to come to an early close," said Phil Popham, managing director of Land Rover in a statement.

Jeannie Bomford, Hanlie Booyens, Richard Kolbe and Craig Carter-Brown were in October selected to represent South Africa at the international challenge selection. The four South Africans were due to travel to England in February.

The three week-long Land Rover G4 Challenge was scheduled for Mongolia in June 2009.