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UAE-based driver Bashar Mardini and the unmistakeable sound of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup roared into life to fill the night sky surrounding the Bahrain International Circuit, as testing for Season 8 of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East got underway.

For motorsport fans the first practice sessions signal not only the start of a new season but also a new era, with an impressive line-up and significant increase in the number of drivers taking to the track. The testing session featured seventeen drivers in total including Mardini who joins for his debut in the series with a wealth of regional racing experience.

Speaking after testing Mardini said: “This is my first time driving here at Bahrain International Circuit and it certainly is a great track to race on. A lot of the other drivers have competed here before, some on multiple occasions so this weekend for me was all about getting to grips with the circuit layout ahead of the first race.

“The level of driving seems to be really high, and whilst everyone is very friendly in the pits, the times they are setting on the track is a real statement of their intent for the season. My times were continuing to get quicker with each session and that’s all I can ask for.”

A fast and furious two-day test period saw all drivers expected to compete in the new championship grasped the opportunity to get valuable laps completed behind the wheel of a pure-bred sports car, the 911 GT3 Cup. Testing marks an important milestone in the build-up to next weekend’s opening round, also taking place in Bahrain as part of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) finale.

Season 8 will see one of the biggest grids in the history of the series and one of the most competitive, thanks to a host of fresh new faces making their full debut in the region’s leading championship.

Almost half of the drivers to line-up for the first race of the new season in Bahrain will be completely new to the grid. A remarkable show of strength for the only professional racing series of its kind in the Middle East.

Commenting after a successful first testing session for the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, founder, organiser and motorsport legend Walter Lechner said: “Bashar joins at an exciting time for this championship and to have many cars out in testing feels very special. This is the result of years of development and commitment. Now with a grid of this size and average age so young, you can sense that the championship has really come of age and evolved to reach an entirely new level. It’s hugely satisfying to have a full grid of 17 drivers packed with the perfect blend of experience and young talent, coming from both within the region and internationally.”

“The region is embracing this championship, because drivers see it as their only real chance to compete at the highest level. We are known as offering a pathway to build experience to compete on the biggest stages of international motorsport, whether it’s the 24 Hours of Le Mans or the Porsche Supercup. And if testing is anything to go by, we’ve an exciting journey ahead!”
The opening round of the six-round championship will feature two races this upcoming weekend. The first race will take place on Friday night, 18th November, under the lights at Sakhir/Bahrain, adding further to the drama of the occasion. The second race is scheduled on Saturday, 19th November, ahead of the spectacular 6 Hours of Bahrain, the season finale of the well-known WEC.

With all drivers competing in identical Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars, the one-make series will consist of 12 races between November 2016 and April 2017 over six pulsating weekends across three world class regional racing circuits, namely the Bahrain International Circuit, Dubai Autodrome and Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

Round 1
17 - 19 Nov 2016
Bahrain International Circuit, Bahrain

Round 2
9 - 12 Dec 2016
Dubai Autodrome, UAE

Round 3
27 - 28 Jan 2017
Dubai Autodrome, UAE

Round 4
10 - 11 Feb 2017
Yas Marina Circuit, UAE

Round 5
3 - 4 Mar 2017
Bahrain International Circuit, Bahrain

Round 6 – F1 Support Race
14 - 16 Apr 2017
Bahrain International Circuit, Bahrain