Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East opens doors to new talent as the Season 8 calendar is revealed
The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East will return to regional racing circuits in November this year with the final countdown on for prospective drivers to confirm their entries.
Powering to its eighth season of top flight motorsport, the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East represents the ultimate opportunity for prospective motor racers to compete in a professional racing environment, refining their skills for global competition. Over the previous seven series, Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East drivers have gone to race in competitions, such as the elite Porsche Supercup, the World Endurance Championship, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and even single seater GP2.
With a proven track record of honing racing skills for global competition, the reveal of the season calendar will be welcomed by regional hopefuls looking to boost their motorsport careers with the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East race technicians, engineers and driver coaches. Launching at the Bahrain International Circuit on 19 November the series gets underway as part of the 6 Hours of Bahrain, the finale weekend of the World Endurance Championship giving racers an immediate immersion into an FIA-run competition.
Rounds 2 and 3 will see the series travel to Dubai from 9-10 December and 27-28 January 2017 respectively, before a trip down to Abu Dhabi on the 10-11 February 2017 following the series’ hugely successful return to Yas Marina Circuit last year.
Bahrain International Circuit will be the venue for the closing weekends with Round 5 running from 3-4 March 2017 and the season finale as an official support race of the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix in April next year.
Speaking ahead of the new season, Walter Lechner, manager and organiser of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, said: “The series is open to anyone in the region, of all backgrounds and levels of racing experience and we are able to train up drivers and ensure that required licenses are achieved. Where the drivers will find the real test is when they are competing, testing and qualifying, working closely with their engineering teams to look at performance data and understanding feedback. It is through this means we help drivers develop. The series is a proven pathway to international motor racing but also the ultimate opportunity for passionate racers to experience professional motorsport. Since we introduced the series in 2009, we’ve been giving regional drivers the opportunity to develop their skills and balance life with a GT racing career and we will continue to do so into Season 8.”
Regarded as the purest form of racing with all drivers competing in identical Porsche 911 GT3 Cups, the unique one-make series consists of 12 races between November 2016 and April 2017, giving an unrivalled opportunity for track time to young racing hopefuls.
Commenting ahead of Season 8 of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East Deesch Papke, Chief Executive Officer of Porsche Middle East and Africa FZE, said: “The legacy of the series is unrivalled, there is nothing else like it in the region, and as we move forward into another season of competition it is an enormous credit to the organisers and clear evidence that the Middle East continues to thrive as a global racing centre. The alignment between the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East and international racing on a professional level is clear to see. Many of our local racers have gone on to compete in international competitions, including the pinnacle the 24 Hours of Le Mans. These experiences can be life-changing for passionate racers and young hopefuls building their careers and it is thrilling to be entering another season of opportunity. Our series continues to fulfil its role of uncovering and developing driving talent in the region.”
For the latest news on the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East please visit the official website: www.gt3cupchallenge-me.com or follow the series’ news at www.facebook.com/porscheGT3CCME, on Twitter @PorscheGT3CCME and on Instagram @PorscheGT3CCME
The 2016-2017 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East race schedule is:
Round 1
17-19 November 2016
Bahrain International Circuit, Bahrain
Round 2
9-10 December 2016
Dubai Autodrome, UAE
Round 3
27-28 January 2017
Dubai Autodrome, UAE
Round 4
10-11 February 2017
Yas Marina Circuit, UAE
Round 5
3-4 March 2017
Bahrain International Circuit, Bahrain
Round 6 - TBC
14th – 16th April 2017
Bahrain International Circuit, Bahrain