It was back on February Thursday 7th when the shock announcement was announced that the Australian 2009 Porsche Barrera Cup season would be canceled due to a lack of cars to fill the grid...since that that date Porsche tried to keep the dates live to try and attract teams but unfortunately the first race planed for the 14th March and the rest of the season was canceled.

   

2009 would have seen the series enter its seventh successful season which is the primary support category to the V8 Supercar Championship Series but despite a strong calender and television package and large sponsorship commitments the Porsche Carrera Cup has become the latest victim of the global economic condition.

So why after six years has the series come to such a abrupt end...the answer is that existing and new competitors have failed to secure backing for the 2009 season.

Porsche Carrera Cup CEO Doug Willersdorf-Greene said back in November 2008 that new changes to the 2009 series would ensure the continued success and exhilaration of Carrera Cup racing.

With new ideas to keep the category fresh and exciting and increased track time and some of the closest, most entertaining racing in one of the best championship, 2009 was expect to encourage new sponsors and supporters to join Carrera Cup in 2009

Porsche Cars Australia managing director, Michael Winkler, said “to enter the season without a robust grid of cars is simply not viable for all the major stakeholders. Motorsport is an integral part of Porsche’s activities in Australia so this decision is not taken lightly.

“We have already spoken with the Confederation of Australian Motorsport (CAMS) as the governing body of Australian motorsport and will proactively work with them to ensure existing owners of 997 GT3 Cup Cars are given the opportunity to race in other categories.”

There was an eight round program scheduled for 2009, with the first race planned for the Clipsal 500 in March.

This news is a real sign of the global financial crisis biting hard at home. It will be interesting to see if those teams with financial backing are able to find alternate series to race in. It will also be interesting to see if the Carrera Cup will return in 2010, or indeed, at all in the near future.

So what now for the teams and drivers...We have tried to contact many teams and drivers regarding the current situation but with no joy...it seam apparent the team and drivers websites have not been updated since late 2008 a sign that many may have folded, on that note this feature is not closed and will endeavor to bring the latest news when it becomes available

Craig Baird was the number one driver in the championship

Racing career highlights