On 4 April, Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific revealed its plans for the 2023 motorsport campaign in a live-streamed press conference from the Porsche Experience Centre Shanghai, detailing Porsche Carrera Cup Asia’s 20th season, the return of Porsche Sports Cup China, GT Trackday’s expansion and more.
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia back on the road to celebrate 20 years of action
After two seasons confined to China, Asia’s premier single-make racing series returns to the continent in 2023, visiting Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Singapore and finishing up at Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific’s home base in Shanghai, China. Each driver races in identical Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 992) and with three classes in the field, it’s guaranteed to be a landmark year. With overseas fan favourites returning to the championship for this year, the 20th Porsche Carrera Cup Asia season is set to be incredible. “Porsche Carrera Cup Asia is without a doubt the premier one-make series in the region, and this year we return to international racing,” said Alexandre Gibot, Managing Director Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific. “Many legends have been born in the Carrera Cup Asia over the years, and many budding talents have been given their first opportunity to compete in a high-level international racing series. Winning the Carrera Cup Asia championship in any year is a huge achievement. Considering this is our 20th anniversary season, our drivers will be extra-determined to see their name etched on the legacy trophy this year.”
Porsche Sports Cup China continues to grow while GT Trackday expands to more events
Following its launch at the Porsche Sportscar Together Day in 2019, the Porsche Sports Cup China has remained a popular event for all driving abilities. Catering to beginners and those more experienced on track, there’s a programme for everyone. In 2023, the series will tour China’s top circuits, with visits to Ningbo, Tianjin, Zhuhai and Shanghai scheduled.
Last year, Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific announced a brand-new platform, GT Trackday. Sitting between the Porsche Track Experience and the Porsche Sports Cup China on the Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Pyramid, GT Trackday is targeted at drivers who have some experience on track and helps them develop their skills to move up the racing ranks. “This event is open to Porsche GT road and race car owners, and presents an exclusive track day platform for enthusiasts to develop their skills and deepen their enjoyment of driving a Porsche GT road or race car on the track,” added Alexandre Gibot. “Alongside our partner – Pirelli, we are planning two events this year, one in Shanghai, and another on one of China’s other popular race tracks. The calendar will be released soon.”
Racing action to continue across Asia and at the world’s biggest endurance events
In addition to all the single-make championships Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific has lined up, several customer teams will be entering the Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia campaign. The series will mark the Asia-Pacific debut of the new Porsche 911 GT3 R (Type 992), with 10 of Porsche’s 11 entries fielding the car. Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific will also be supporting its customer teams further afield, with two entries set to take on the 24 Hours of Spa. Porsche Sprint Trophy Thailand also returns, with Porsche entries across multiple classes.
Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Selected Driver to tackle rookie test with the Porsche 99X Electric
Meanwhile, Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Selected Driver Yifei Ye is continuing his preparation to race in a Porsche 963 at the 100th anniversary running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The 22-year-old racer, who has already been announced at Hertz Team JOTA, aims to become the first Chinese driver to win the legendary event. Sky Qiao, Vice President Marketing of Porsche China, said: “We are delighted that Yifei will be racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship with Hertz Team JOTA this season. It’s a particularly special year, as the Porsche brand celebrates our 75th anniversary. It’s fantastic for us to have our Selected Driver, in our anniversary year, race in the historic 100th anniversary running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”
In addition to his WEC programme, it was today announced that Ye will get his first taste of Formula E machinery when he takes on the Rookie Test in Berlin on 24 April. Ye will drive the Porsche 99X Electric – which has won four of six Formula E races so far this season. “I’ve always wanted to drive a Formula E car and I’m grateful that Porsche is giving me that opportunity,” Ye said. “For me this is an interesting new challenge that I’m really excited to get stuck into. Beforehand, I’ll follow the races in Berlin closely from the pits and try to learn as much as possible from Antonio and Pascal. That will definitely help me to familiarise myself with the Porsche 99X Electric as quickly as possible. With Porsche, I’m concentrating on the WEC for now. But I’m still young and can certainly imagine contesting Formula E races one day. Electric motorsport has a bright future.”
Source. Pole/Photo. Porsche
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