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[CCUP] Exciting times mooted for 09!
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pic: FORCE Photography
EXCITING CHANGES MOOTED FOR PORSCHE CARRERA CUP IN 2009
Carrera Cup Australia will come hurtling into the 2009 season, with stimulating changes to the category revealed recently. The 2009 season will be the seventh in Australia for the Porsche Carrera Cup and with additions previously announced it is already shaping as being the best ever.
Next year’s calendar was recently publicised, and with seven of the eight rounds being held on the biggest motorsport events of the year and the other being a combined Carrera Cup and Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Shannons Nationals Motor Championship round at Phillip Island, the schedule alone already has competitors raring to go.
The calendar is arguably the best the championship has ever seen, not only because of the high profile events but also the potential for all drivers to enjoy close racing with more track time. But the calendar alone isn’t the only thrilling change to the category for next year.
Not only will the 2009 Pilatus Challenge winner enjoy the thrill of racing one of the world’s finest race vehicles throughout the year, but they will also receive the use of a Porsche Cayenne S for a year after their victory. Applied retroactively, 2008 Pilatus Challenge winner James Koundouris will be the first to enjoy the sublime feel of the Porsche road car as he celebrates his championship success.
In another change for Pilatus Challenge competitors they will have the option of competing in only seven rounds, rather than the nine they had to race in this year. The Carrera Cup Champion is also set to receive a major bonus, with their entry fees for the following season waived. This will also be applied retroactively, with 2008 Champion Craig Baird the first to benefit from the change.
And once competitors arrive at events, they will notice some improvements. An extra practice session will be included at each event to ensure maximum track time for each competitor, a new points system will be introduced and prize money will also be included.
Carrera Cup has benefited from an exemplary television package with Network Seven and next year it will be added to, with a specially produced one hour highlights programme looking at the year’s excitement airing on Channel Seven at season’s end.
Porsche Carrera Cup CEO Doug Willersdorf-Greene said the changes would ensure the continued success and exhilaration of Carrera Cup racing. “As a championship we need to continually implement new ideas to keep the category fresh and exciting and we believe these changes do just that,” he said.
“Not only are we competing at the best events next year but we have a fantastic television package in place, increased track time and some of the closest, most entertaining racing in one of the best racing cars going around. “We are already talking to at least six new potential competitors who are very excited at the prospect of competing in the championship in 2009 and we expect these changes will encourage them, new sponsors and supporters to join Carrera Cup next year.”
Carrera Cup Australia 2009 Championship:
Mar 19-22: Clipsal 500 Adelaide, SA
Mar 26–29: FORMULA 1™ ING Australian Grand Prix, VIC
May 16-17 Phillip Island, VIC (Shannons Nationals)
Jul 10–12: Townsville 400, QLD
Sept 11–13: L&H 500 Phillip Island, VIC
Oct 8–11: Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, NSW
Oct 22–25: Nikon Indy 300, QLD
Dec 4–6: Sydney 400, NSW
Summary of changes for 2009:
• Pilatus Challenge winners to receive use of Porsche motor vehicle for one year (applied retroactively for 2008 Pilatus Challenge winner James Koundouris)
• Waiving of next season’s entry fees for Carrera Cup Australia Champion
• Pilatus Challenge competitors, which is for non-professional drivers, will only have to compete in seven rounds
• A minimum of two practice sessions at every event
• Fairer points system established
• Prize money introduced
• One hour Highlights Programme to air at season’s end
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