NEW LOOK PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE IN 2018

New look Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge in 2018 – Photo: Rhys Vandersyde

Porsche Australia have announced a new-look Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge for the 2018 season with a brand new title sponsor Michelin.

The French tyre manufacturer takes over the title partnership which will see the series rebranded as the ‘Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia’.

Michelin will therefore become the sole tyre supplier across both Porsche one-make series in Australia – Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia.

The event schedule will also receive a shake-up, with the series to be part of the 2018 Shannons Nationals opener at the newly constructed The Bend Motorsport Park.

Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia will continue with the Shannons Nationals, with the second round to be held at Sandown in May.

Phillip Island, Queensland Raceway and Winton Motor Raceway will host the third, fourth and fifth round ahead of the season finale at Sydney Motorsport Park in September.

The three-race Jim Richards Endurance Trophy will also continue into 2018, with the three Endurance Trophy events to be announced ahead of the 2018 season.

Porsche Cars Australia Director of Marketing & Motorsport, Toni Andreevski, is pleased to expand Porsche Cars Australia’s partnership with Michelin to span both Porsche one-make series.

“GT3 Cup Challenge is set for a fantastic season in 2018. This new partnership with Michelin coincides with the introduction of the first generation Type 991 GT3 Cup car to the series, which was exclusively used in Carrera Cup up to the end of the 2017 season,” said Andreevski.

“We expect to see a strong field of both the first generation Type 991 GT3 Cup race car and its predecessor, the second generation Type 997 GT3 Cup racer. The series will also visit The Bend Motorsport Park for the season opening event, which brings additional interest for the start of the 2018 season.

“Porsche’s Australian motorsport programme is going from strength to strength. Carrera Cup will feature a sold out field of over 24 brand new 911 GT3 Cup cars and now we will launch GT3 Cup Challenge with a tremendous new partnership with Michelin.”

As part of the revised series and title change, Michelin will feature on the windscreen banners of each 911 GT3 Cup car in the series.

“It’s great for Michelin to return to GT3 Cup Challenge as both the 2018 Official Tyre Partner and Title Partner,” said Tim Hoare, Michelin Australia Marketing Manager.

“We have a tremendous relationship with Porsche both in Australia and also globally, supplying tyres for each global Carrera Cup series and Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup through to Porsche’s LMP1 programme in which, together, the two brands ultimately won three Le Mans 24 Hours and six World Championship titles.

“We’re proud to expand our partnership across both Porsche one-make series within Australia, GT3 Cup Challenge and Carrera Cup. It brings consistency for our brands and drivers within the series. GT3 Cup Challenge is a proven hotbed for driver talent and we’re thrilled to be part of the series moving forward.”

Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia – 2018 Calendar

Round 1: The Bend Motorsport Park – 13-15 April, 2018

Round 2: Sandown International Raceway – 11-13 May, 2018

Round 3: Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit – 01-03 June, 2018

Round 4: Queensland Raceway – 28-29 July, 2018

Round 5: Winton Motor Raceway – 01-02 September, 2018

Round 6: Sydney Motorsport Park – 21-22 September, 2018

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