Porsche Carrera Cup Asia takes on first Endurance Challenge event with record-breaking entries in Sepang

This is the first of two weekends in this format, as the final round of the season at Shanghai International Circuit will also feature an endurance event. The reward for the winning drivers of Race 3 in each category will be a VIP ticket to attend the Bathurst 12 Hours as a special guest of Porsche.

After missing Rounds 7-8, championship leader Alessandro Ghiretti returns along with Mathys Jaubert (TORO Racing) as the fight behind the Team Jebsen driver heats up. Just seven points separate Jaubert, Rodrigo Dias Almeida (R&B Racing), Dylan Pereira (Team Shanghai Yonda BWT) and Martin Ragginger (Porsche Holding). Meanwhile, hometown hero Nazim Azman (Sime Darby Racing Team) will be hoping to repeat the success of last year where he finished on the podium.

Phantom Global Racing’s Bao Jinlong regained the top step of the podium with an impressive perfect weekend to further extend his Pro-Am championship lead in Thailand. Li Xuanyu (Z.SPEED Motorsport) and Zhang Yaqi (Phantom Global Racing) both picked up a second-place finish on the streets of Bangsaen, while Liu Kai Shun returns in the #33 R&B Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992), after an amazing debut last time out where he scored podiums in both races.

The Am-class title battle is hotting up after Rounds 7-8 as EBM’s Munkong Sathienthirakul closed the gap again on reigning champion Eric Kwong (Bergwerk Motorsport). The Thai racer came second and first during the event, meaning that the difference now stands at just 18 points between the two.

There are a pair of changes to the usual entry list, with Harris Lee taking over from the injured Francis Tjia in the #21 Trans-China Automotive Racing car, while Porsche Sports Cup China graduate Yang Ke makes his PCCA debut, filling in for Jacky Wu in the Porsche Own Retail 69 Team Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992).

Two new entries take on the three-race weekend, as 2021 champion Daniel Lu Wenlong returns, driving the #20 EBM car Finally, Dominic Tjia, son of Francis, pilots the #221 Trans-China Automotive Racing machine.   Rounds 9-11 will be held alongside Thailand Super Series and Porsche Sprint Trophy Thailand, with Porsche Malaysia expecting to welcome around 500 guests per day for a weekend of celebration.

The event in Malaysia sees the second visit of the Technology Transfer Apprenticeship Programme (TTAP), Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific’s initiative to help students work and observe various roles in race control courtesy of technical partner EKS Motorsport. TTAP helps to develop interest for mechanics and engineers of the future, allowing them to gain crucial hands-on experience.

The Sepang International Circuit, former home of Formula 1’s Malaysian Grand Prix, plays host to several different events throughout the busy Asian motorsport calendar and is seen as an iconic venue.

The 5.543-kilometre track is known for its two long straights which are connected with a long left-hander that slingshots you back across the start finish line. The Malaysian track provides excellent racing throughout the lap with overtakes likely into Turns 1, 4 and 9.

On-track action gets underway with Free Practice at 14:30 local time as qualifying takes place on Saturday from 08:00. Race 1 and 2 start at 13:25 and 19:25 respectively on the same day, with lights-out for the Endurance Challenge event at 15:55 on Sunday.

Finally, Porsche Carrera Cup Asia have released information on the 2024 Talent Pool Assessment, which will once again see 12 budding young drivers tackle on and off-track activities at Sepang in December. Applications close on 18 October, and more details can be found on Porsche Carrera Cup Asia’s social media channels.

Daniel Lu Wenlong, EBM: “I’m very much looking forward to being back on the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia grid, and to be racing alongside some old and new faces! It’s been a while since I’ve been in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992), but hopefully I can get up to speed quickly and fight towards the front of the field. However, I’ve raced the majority of my career in PCCA, so I’m confident and excited to be involved again for the event in Sepang.”

Liu Kai Shun, R&B Racing: “It was brilliant to get my first outing in the series at a very challenging track like Bangsaen, but I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It’s extremely different to what I’m used to with formula cars, but I felt like by the time the race started I was well prepared. This weekend will be very physical due to the weather conditions and high-speed corners at Sepang, but I’m ready to give it my best shot!”

Yang Ke, Porsche Own Retail 69 Team: “I’m pleased to be making my debut in such a high-level series, and I’m looking forward to participating on the same track as so many quality drivers. It’s an honour to be moving up through the Porsche Pyramid to PCCA for the weekend in Malaysia, and I’m sure it will be a great learning experience. Regardless of the outcome, being involved in PCCA is a huge honour and I’ll look to do my best on-track to continue developing for my future.”

Alexandre Imperatori, Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Manager: “We’re delighted to be hosting our first Endurance Challenge race in a unique weekend in Sepang. The drivers are going to get to experience different conditions in each round, with the opener being a traditional event, while the second race will take place at night, and the third being the Endurance Challenge. We’re pleased to once again be able to offer a prize for our PCCA drivers, with the winners of Race 3 in each category getting VIP tickets to the iconic 12 Hours of Bathurst. It’s also great to be welcoming back the TTAP students and we can’t wait to continue our ever-strengthening partnership with them. Alongside Porsche Sprint Trophy Thailand and Porsche Malaysia’s activities, it promises to be an amazing weekend full of motorsport action and brilliant racing!”