In conjunction with Porsche Carrera Cup Asia promoter Motorsport Asia Ltd. (MAL), Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific is excited to announce a new multi-class winter series for its customers - Porsche Sprint Challenge Asia, which will host two events at the Sepang International Circuit between January and March.

The Porsche Sprint Challenge Asia will unite GT and Cup cars of various generations, offering a new platform for exciting racing during motorsport’s traditional off-season.

Five different classes of cars are eligible for entry, including the 700bhp limited edition Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport, GT3 and GT3 Cup cars (Type 991 and Type 997) and GT4 cars, with awards available to drivers of various grades. 

Much like the Porsche Sprint Challenge China, the inaugural event of which was held in Shanghai in October, and the Porsche Sprint Trophy Thailand, the Porsche Sprint Challenge Asia offers more track time for drivers, but also further exposure for their sponsors and a closer association with the Porsche brand for a US$10,000 entry fee per car.

The Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport class will be available for either bronze-graded, diamond (aged 50-59) or sapphire (aged 60+) drivers.

The GT4 class includes both the current-spec Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport as well as its predecessor, which continued to impress in the Thailand Super Series’ GTC class during the 2019 season with four wins. 

Open to all drivers including silver-grade or higher, the GT3 class is offered for the championship-winning 2019 Porsche 911 GT3 R and the previous generation, which bowed out of racing with a victory at this year’s Bathurst 12 Hour.

All grades of drivers can also contest the Porsche 991 GT3 Cup with the current model, while bronze, diamond and sapphire can enter with the previous model. All three generations of the Porsche 997 GT3 Cup cars from 2005-2013 are eligible for entry in the series.

The inaugural Porsche Sprint Challenge Asia season will consist of four races at two meetings on 17-18 January 2020 and 29 February-1 March 2020, both of which will take place at the famous 5.542 km Sepang International Circuit. The Hermann Tilke-designed former Formula 1 Grand Prix venue providing a twisting high-speed layout, catered to great racing. 

Each event will consist of 30-minute practice and qualifying sessions and two half-hour races, and each class will have a respective drivers’ and teams’ championship. There will also be a separate prize for the highest-placed bronze, diamond and sapphire drivers.

The series will be promoted and covered through Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific’s and MAL’s social media, as well as streamed worldwide through YouTube and Facebook in addition to various sports networks across Asia.
 
Alexandre Gibot, Head of Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific: 
“Our goal has always been to support the ongoing development of Asian motorsport by providing access to our portfolio of GT Racing products and technical/aftersales support, but also to identify areas to develop new platforms. We were able to do so in Thailand with the launch of the Porsche Sprint Trophy Thailand, in China with the Porsche Sprint Challenge China and are now very excited to introduce the Porsche Sprint Challenge Asia in Malaysia. With this latest development, we have further expanded the opportunities for our customers to continue competing in the off-season while much of the motorsport world is taking a break. It also gives a further opportunity to get the Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport on the track. We can’t wait to see the cars lined up on the grid in Sepang.”

David Sonenscher, CEO Motorsport Asia Limited: 
“Motorsport Asia Limited began our relationship with Porsche 17 years ago in 2003, creating the opportunity for Porsche to establish the Carrera Cup in Asia and we are proud to have been at the core of their motorsport development in the region ever since. The Porsche Sprint Challenge Asia allows us to extend that relationship even further and provide a platform that offers teams and drivers of all levels to participate in all classes of Porsche models. Holding the races across the winter off-season in Malaysia is ideal, not least because of the conditions, but also because this is the traditional home venue of many of the teams, due to the ability to store and arrange convenient servicing for vehicles. We strongly believe that this will be an ideal platform to introduce new drivers, who will be able to graduate into higher level championships such as Carrera Cup Asia and other GT races with Porsche. We are excited about this new venture and are looking to build the championship with the possibility to expand the event and even separate the classes in the future as numbers grow.”

2020 Porsche Sprint Challenge Asia
17-18 January, 2020 - Round 1/2, Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia
29 February-1 March, 2020 - Round 3/4, Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia

For more information please visit the Porsche Sprint Challenge Asia Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Sprint-Challenge-Asia-104812827645255/ 
#PorscheSprintChallAsia

About Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific
Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific (PMAP) provides access to Porsche’s extensive line-up of GT models to the growing market in the region. In addition to being the organising body of Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, PMAP supplies technical, engineering, after-sales and marketing support to teams and drivers competing in numerous regional championships, including Blancpain GT World Challenge Asia, China GT Championship, Intercontinental GT Challenge and Thailand Super Series.