The introduction of the new Porsche 911 race car is not the only highlight of the 10th season of Porsche Carrera Cup Australia; the popular one-make championship will hold more events and over 20 per cent more racing in 2014.
The 2014 season will expand from seven to eight rounds and will now race alongside all three V8 Supercars Endurance Cup events – the Bathurst 1000, Gold Coast 600 and Sandown 500, which will see Carrera Cup’s first appearance at the Melbourne circuit since 2008.
The championship will also return to other signature street circuit events including the Clipsal 500, Townsville 400 and the Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park, as well as to Sydney Motorsport Park, alongside V8 Supercars.
For the first time in the championship’s history, Carrera Cup will also visit the Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals at Phillip Island in May.
The championship’s race formats have been revised for 2014, with an additional event and longer races providing 20 per cent more racing.
Up from the traditional 20 minute races of previous seasons, Carrera Cup will hold three 30 minute races at Sydney Motorsport Park, three 25 minute races at Townsville, Sandown and Bathurst, and two 25 minute races and a 30 minute race at the season ending Gold Coast round.
Phillip Island’s Shannons Nationals round will follow the popular race format of this season’s Porsche Rennsport Australia round – two 60 minute co-driver races. At this event, Professional Class drivers will pair with non-regular Elite Class drivers and the championship’s full-time Elite Class drivers will team with non-regular drivers of their choice.
The race format at the opening two rounds – Clipsal 500 and Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix – will be announced in the coming weeks.
Porsche Cars Australia Motorsport Manager, Cam McConville, believes the calendar is a fitting reward to those who commit to the 2014 championship.
“The 2014 season will be exciting for many reasons, not only for the introduction of the brand new 911 GT3 Cup car,” said McConville.
“The 2014 calendar is sensational – a perfect mix of events and race formats. In particular the increase in race length from the standard 20 minutes to 25 and 30 minute races is highly appealing to competitors.
“The Pro-Am format at Rennsport was successful and well received by competitors. The Shannons Nationals proved to be the best event option to hold the Pro-Am format and we’re excited to have Carrera Cup headline the Phillip Island event.
“I’d like to thank V8 Supercars for its continued support for Carrera Cup competing at its signature 2014 events as the primary support category and allowing for longer races in 2014. I also appreciate the valued efforts of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation and Rob Curkpatrick upon our maiden visit to the Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals.”
The 2014 Porsche Carrera Cup Australia season will be the championship’s 10th in Australia (operating from 2003-2008 and 2011-present).
2014 Porsche Carrera Cup Australia calendar
Round 1 Clipsal 500 Adelaide, SA Feb 27-Mar 02
Round 2 Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix Melbourne, VIC March 13-16
Round 3 Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit* Phillip Island, VIC May 23-25
Round 4 Townsville 400 Townsville, QLD July 04-06
Round 5 Sydney Motorsport Park Sydney, NSW August 22-24
Round 6 Sandown 500 Melbourne, VIC September 12-14
Round 7 Bathurst 1000 Bathurst, NSW October 09-12
Round 8 Gold Coast 600 Gold Coast, QLD October 24-26
* Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals event
2014 Race formats
Round 1 Clipsal 500 TBA
Round 2 Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix TBA
Round 3 Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit 2 x 60 minute Pro-Am races
Round 4 Townsville 400 3 x 25 minute races
Round 5 Sydney Motorsport Park 3 x 30 minute races
Round 6 Sandown 500 3 x 25 minute races
Round 7 Bathurst 1000 3 x 25 minute races
Round 8 Gold Coast 600 2 x 25 minute, 1 x 30 minute races
