the season featured the thirteenth v8 supercar championship series which began on 21 march at the clipsal 500 on the streets of adelaide and finished on 6 december at the homebush street circuit. the championship comprised 26 races held at 14 events, visiting all states and the northern territory of australia as well as new zealand. a non-championship event supported the 2009 australian grand prix. the season also included the tenth second tier development series, promoted as the fujitsu v8 supercar series, with all seven rounds held as support races for the v8 supercar championship series. for the second year, a third tier series was run, as the shannons v8 touring car national series. its five rounds were held at rounds of the shannons nationals motor racing championships.