Porsche Sports Cup China (PSCC) returns this weekend for its first event of the 2023 season at the Ningbo International Circuit, with road and race car activities set to be combined once again for drivers of all skill levels.
Following its debut in 2019, the series has continued to increase in popularity among Porsche enthusiasts in the country, with this year’s campaign also scheduled to visit Tianjin and Zhuhai before the season finale takes place alongside the final round of the 2023 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia at the Shanghai International Circuit.
PSCC weekends are open to drivers of all levels of experience, with customers able to take on a wide range of activities. For enthusiastic beginners, the Introduction to Race Track programme offers an opportunity to drive on a circuit for the first time, with the guidance of Porsche instructors, familiarising drivers with the dynamic skills required on-track. 20 drivers will take part in the event as they make their first steps into circuit driving.
For 2023, Porsche Sports Cup China sees the Introduction to Race Track expand to offer customers the chance to drive and experience the performance of Porsche’s all electric Taycan on the race track. Also new for 2023, the Gymkhana challenge is introduced as a paddock activity for all Introduction to Race Track participants. Under instruction, drivers will compete in a Porsche 911 in a timed and ranked slalom challenge.
The popular Porsche Drivers Competition represents a step up, with competitors racing against the clock in either a single-lap or three-lap time trial. The activity also includes two 30-minute practice sessions to give drivers time to acclimatise to the circuit and the feel of pushing themselves to the limit around the track. 29 racers are entered for the single-lap event, with 27 taking on the three-lap programme.
Finally, open to all Porsche owners, the Porsche Parade offers the chance for drivers to join their fellow enthusiasts on a lap of the circuit, giving an excellent opportunity for some incredible photos and to celebrate their passion for Porsche.
The more experienced racer can take on the Porsche Sprint Challenge China, giving them the opportunity to go wheel-to-wheel with each other in a racing environment. Both the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992) and the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport are eligible to enter the event, which features two practice sessions, qualifying, and a pair of 30-minute races. The Porsche Sprint Challenge China Overall, GTC and GT4 Class Championships are battled out over the full season, with dealer supported entries also competing for the Dealer Trophy.
In Ningbo, three Porsche dealers are involved, and five of the teams taking part also compete in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia. David Szu, who has participated in Porsche Sprint Challenge China since its inception in 2019, steps up to the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup for 2023 and his BD Group team has grown to two cars, with Xiaoyan Wu racing in the GT4 category. The Cup class is completed by Ke Yang for Shanghai Yongda 69 Racing, Jeffrey Zee in the Shanghai Pudong & Waigaoqiao 69 Racing car, and Ruoyu Yang competing for R&B Racing. Meanwhile, Climax Racing’s Yuanlin Yu and SilverRocket Racing’s Jia Li will take to the track in GT4 machinery to complete the line-up.
Over in Europe, this weekend also marks the 51st running of the Nürburgring 24 Hours, with 44 Porsche entries making it the most strongly represented manufacturer at the event. Former Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Selected Driver Alessio Picariello will race for Falken Motorsports in the #33 Porsche 911 GT3 R (Type 992) in the top SP9 class.
Sky Qiao, Vice President Marketing, Porsche China: “We’re really looking forward to the fifth season of Porsche Sports Cup China. It’s a platform that offers so much to our customers. Porsche is a brand driven by dreams, and we consider it a privilege to provide this platform for many of our enthusiasts and customers to race in. 2023 is a particularly special year to Porsche as we celebrate our 75th anniversary, and it’s amazing to see so many people interested in our programmes this year. We aim to help customers realise their motorsport dreams, and Porsche Sports Cup China is the perfect platform to put them on the right path.”
Alexandre Gibot, Managing Director Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Ltd.: “It’s a fantastic achievement to now be heading into the fifth year of the Porsche Sports Cup China, and I’m personally looking forward to many more! Seeing how the event has developed and grown since its launch in 2019 shows the local demand for access to track-focused products and events in which to compete. Porsche Sprint Challenge China is an important step on the Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Pyramid, as it looks to support new racers, giving them their first chance to develop and take their dreams further. Motorsport is in Porsche’s DNA, so to bring together our road and race car customers at these events is a pleasure for all of us at Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific, and we can’t wait for the weekend to get underway.”
Source. Pole/Photo. Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific
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