The 2009 Suncoast Classic tarmac rally has been cancelled with organisers blaming the world financial crisis for a lack of entries.

The management team of Silverstone Events, which planned to stage the rally on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast between 22 and 26 July, said that a smaller than expected number of registrations had resulted in its cancellation.

Silverstone Events Director David Edwards said it appeared the world financial crisis has taken its toll on motorsport events like the rally.

He said that while the number of enquiries for the second Suncoast Classic was high, those early registrations of interest had not translated into official entries.

“Unfortunately, we have not received the number of entries we expected by this point,” Mr Edwards said.

“Rather than wait until early 2009 and further inconvenience sponsors, registered participants and other partners such as councils and emergency services, it was regretfully decided to cancel the rally now.

“Contact with our peers around the world suggests they are also in the process of reviewing their scheduled events for 2009 and possibly beyond.”

The 2009 Suncoast course was to have taken cars and crews over about 1200 kms of roads through the Sunshine Coast hinterland, with participants returning each evening to the Hyatt Regency at Coolum Beach. 

with Silverstone Events Release