Higgins needs sponsor to compete

David Higgins won the British Rally championship in 2004.

Manxman David Higgins is racing against time to find the funding to compete in the 2009 British Rally Championship.

Higgins' main sponsor, TQ.com, are no longer able to support his FX Motor Sports team and have pulled out - blaming the current economic climate.

Now the 2004 British Rally champion is short of the budget he needs for the series, which starts in Wales in March.

"Hugh Evans [FX team manager] and myself are working flat out to try and keep the team going." said Higgins.

"With all the hard work we've done together since we started FX Motor Sports last year, it would be heartbreaking to have to pull out of the championship now."

Higgins understands that in the current financial climate it will be hard to find a sponsor at this late stage, but has no hard feelings towards TQ.com.

"We're very thankful for all the they've given us since they started working with me on Rally GB in 2006," Higgins added.

The British championship starts on 28 March with the International Bulldog Rally, which is new to the series in 2009.