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Australian Carrera Cup series fails to launch in 2009

Australian Carrera Cup series cancelled 2009

On Thursday it was announced the Australian 2009 Porsche Carrera Cup season would be cancelled due to a lack of cars to fill the grid.

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 later next month.

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.

Source: cupcar.com.au – image courtesy of cupcar.com.au (Thanks to Richard for the tip.)

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Porsche

2009 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

2009 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

If you had the cash, a 911 GT3 RSR would have to be right up there as the track-day weapon of choice. Of course, the cost, at around AU$750K, is pretty high, so only captains of industry need apply. Anyway…

This new RSR has a fully revised 4.0 litre engine. It seems a bit odd seeing a 911 with an engine capacity that isn’t 3.x litres, but who am I to argue. I certainly wouldn’t be complaining about the 331kW on offer, although peak torque is not especially high at 430Nm (7250rpm). All the same, with a 9400rpm redline and an approximate weight of 1245kg (FIA-spec) you’ll be sure to progress rapidly enough.

Porsche says peak revs are down from the previous RSR and this has improved the torque curve which has, in turn, improved driveability. Great news if you need to pop down to the shops in your RSR to pick up a litre of milk.

Apart from the excessivly flared rear guards, the most striking feature of the latest RSR iteration are the louvres on the bonnet. Apart from aiding the RSR’s aerodynamic and cooling capabilities there is the added bonus of keeping your briefcase at optimum temperature. The car just looks the business, and I can only imagine the joy one would experience if you were to be let loose in one of these on an empty racetrack.

Porsche is getting into the spirit of Australia Day by giving the 911 GT3 RSR its world debut at Sebring International Raceway on Monday, 26 January, as part of the three-day American Le Mans Series Winter test.

Around 20 new RSRs are already on their way to some of Porsche’s dearest customers, although it looks like AUSmotive may have to wait some time yet for our order to be fulfilled. And tonight’s lotto numbers are…

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Porsche

Here comes another one, just like the other one

Der Neue Porsche 911 GT3

Der neue Porsche 911 GT3 RS has been spotted in the French Alps. Sure, it looks just like the old model, but those zany Zuffenhausen engineers sure know what they are doing when it comes to building a track focused road car.

The 3.6-ltre flat six, donated from the regular GT3, will get some loving to see it has a few more ponies under the bonnet, erm boot, and should bring the car’s 0-100 sprint time to a mere 4.2 seconds. They say v-max will be a comfortable 310km/h.

Just like the last model there will be a plastic rear window, plenty of carbon fibre bits and factory built roll cage. A splash of colour will be thrown around with some retro stickers along the bottom sill, no doubt, and some matching paint will find its way to the wheels and wing mirrors.

Sure, the GT3 RS is no HSV, I mean it doesn’t even have enough cylinders for that, but still … I just want one!

Source: Wheels24.co.za

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Porsche

Will the 4 door Porsche Panamera be “too good”?

Porsche Panamer

According to a drive.com.au article the answer is yes! Porsche Cars Australia spokesman Paul Ellis was quoted as saying, “My understanding is that the car, from a performance point of view, has an issue in that it is almost too good … it has exceeded the benchmarks.” The iconic 911 must remain as the Porsche hero car, so will the first Porsche four door saloon have to be brought back a peg or two?

The Panamera is due for release at next year’s Geneva Motor Show and has been scheduled for Australian delivery in the latter half of 2009. Read the drive article in full by clicking HERE.