A historic race is set for Porsche Carrera Cup Asia as it prepares to celebrate the end of an era, hosting its penultimate race weekend alongside F1 for the final time at Sepang International Circuit from September 29th – October 1st.
With one race planned for the weekend, the contest among 24-identical Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 991) contestants going into Round 11 couldn’t be closer. Just a single point divides the leaders in both Overall and Pro-Am as the drivers prepare for their second battle of the season at the high-grade 5.543-km circuit, with just three rounds and 65 points left.
After two hotly contested street races in Singapore, Team Formax’s Chris van der Drift currently leads the Overall with 187 point. Dealer Trophy leader Team Porsche Holding has seen driver Martin Ragginger recover lost ground by gaining 186 after finishing at the front of the top three for both races in Singapore, while FAW T2M‘s Will Bamber, returning from the global Porsche Junior Selection in Germany, is still a strong contender at 170 – completing the trifecta for one of the most disputed championship tug-of-wars seen in the series‘ history.
As the top three duke it out up front, tension has been simmering in the mid-pack among the series‘ ambitious young competitors. Porsche China Junior Andrew Tang leads secondary battlefield with 142 points, just a hair ahead of fellow Porsche China Junior Team driver Zhang Dasheng at 139, who managed to finish ahead of Tang after a tough Rounds 9 and 10 fight.
Behind them, Team StarChase’s Philip Hamprecht has made an incredible recovery from early-season challenges to soar into 6th with 134 points, after achieving a technical first place win and fifth place podium in Singapore. Also showing evolution throughout the season as part of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Talent Pool for drivers under the age of 26, Absolute Racing’s Tanart Sathienthirakul, at 110 points, and local Malaysian driver Team Force Asia Racing’s Akash Neil Nandy, at 97 points, have been consistent challengers.
Rounding out the Overall class, three Chinese drivers are locked in contention as Team C&D Auto’s Yuan Bo, at 75 points takes on Team Jebsen’s Cui Yue, at 74, in one of his strongest performing seasons yet and Zheng Tong Auto’s Bao Jinlong continues a passionate fight from behind at 53 points.
Several guests drivers are lined-up for the Pro-Am class, with Grove Motorsport Pty Ltd‘s Stephen Grove from the sister Porsche Carrera Cup Australia joining for his third race with Asia, including an invitational hosted betwen Porsche Carrera Cup Asia and Australia at Sepang International Circuit in July. Meanwhile, Team NZ’s Graeme John Dowsettt races in the Asia ranks for the first time and Racing Spirit Thailand’s Preeta Tantemsapya rejoins for his third event of the season.
“Without a doubt this race will stand out among the 2017 calendar. We are approaching the conclusion of a season packed with relentless fights from all of our drivers as we prepare to field the brand new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup in 2018. And this is closest championship competition so far coming to the penultimate race weekend.“ Head of Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Alexandre Gibot said.
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia will broadcast live interviews with drivers from the pit and paddock throughout the weekend, so stay tuned to the series‘ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Carreracupasia) and Weibo (http://weibo.com/Carreracupasia) for real-time updates on the race.
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