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[alfredaustria]

Just before the second round of the 2011 FIA GT1 World Championship is about to get underway at Zolder it was announced that Martin Bartek, owner of Matech Racing and Matech Competition, passed away at the age of 44.

Bartek was the man behind the development of the Ford GT3, which won the FIA GT3 Teams Championship in 2008, and the Ford GT as it is currently racing in the FIA GT1 World Championship and which has won various races in the World Championship already. Bartek also represented the GT1 teams in the GT Commission of the FIA.

Matech Competition closed its doors at the end of the year, despite Matech driver Thomas Mutsch finishing second in the Drivers Championship. Bartek tried to sell his operation but despite interest from several parties a deal was never made.

Stephane Ratel, CEO of SRO Motorsports Group, was saddened by the news: “Martin played a major role in the FIA GT3 European and GT1 World Championships. We have lost a friend.”

Martin is survived by his wife Esther and two children, Audrey and Nikola.