Porsche Carrera Cup Asia all set for an epic championship finale as Endurance Challenge returns in Shanghai

After the success of the inaugural 43 minute + 1 lap race in Sepang, it returns to close out an amazing 2024 campaign for the series, as the third and final round of the weekend. The drivers of each class who finish top of the Endurance Challenge standings will receive a VIP ticket to attend the Bathurst 12 Hours, as a special guest of Porsche.

The championship battle is beautifully poised with 2024 Porsche Junior Alessandro Ghiretti sitting just 16 points in front of fellow Frenchman Mathys Jaubert (TORO Racing). Shanghai Yonda Team BWT’s Dylan Pereira is only 32 points behind the Team Jebsen driver, leaving himself in contention after an excellent double victory in Singapore.

The last time we saw the Endurance Challenge format in Malaysia, it led to all three drivers taking a victory each, which shows how closely matched the trio has been this year. Additionally, they’re fighting for an entry into the Albert Park event of next year’s Porsche Carrera Cup Australia, with the title winner eligible to compete on the support bill for the Australian Grand Prix.

Elsewhere in the Pro-class, Porsche Holding’s Martin Ragginger is still in mathematical contention for the title as he aims to continue his strong form, which has seen him pick up podiums in the previous three rounds, whilst Brock Gilchrist steps into the #84 Porsche New Zealand entry for his series debut.

Behind Pro-Am champion Bao Jinlong (Phantom Global Racing), who won his fifth title in Singapore, there is a fierce battle emerging for the runner-up position. Li Xuanyu (Z.SPEED Motorsport) currently sits second but has Li Chao (Team Betterlife) and TORO Racing’s Eric Zang close behind.

The category will also see two R&B Racing entry changes for the weekend, with 2022 Pro-Am champion Lu Wei competing in the #33 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, as the reigning Am-class titleholder Yang Ruoyu returns to the series with a step up to Pro-Am in the #98.

Finally, in the Am category, it’s Eric Kwong and EBM’s Munkong Sathienthirakul battling for the crown, with the Bergwerk Motorsport driver currently holding a 27-point lead. The last three events have seen both drivers take victories in an epic battle for the championship, which looks to produce a great finale in Shanghai.

Triple ACE Racing’s Henry Kwong has been very consistent this year and looks to be set for third place, after earning another podium in Singapore.

The class will see two changes to the traditional entry list this weekend, with Hu Bo returning to compete for Z.SPEED Motorsport, after taking part in the previous Shanghai round, whilst Yan Chuang steps into the #888 Phantom Global Racing for a series debut.

The two additional cars for the Endurance Challenge weekend come in the Am category, as Liu Lic Ka teams up with Z.SPEED Motorsport, and Han Songting returns for the Shanghai round with the Porsche Own Retail 69 Team. These added competitors see the event equal the record-breaking 29 entries fielded in Sepang back in August.

Shanghai International Circuit is China’s most famous racetrack, thanks to its hosting of the Chinese Grand Prix. The 5.451-kilometre layout is notable for the extremely long back straight, along with the snail-like Turns 1-4, which wind in on themselves before releasing the cars into the rest of the lap.

The winner of each class for the 2024 season will win money-can’t-buy-experiences provided by Porsche.  

This event in Shanghai will also mark the final visit this campaign from the Technology Transfer Apprenticeship Programme (TTAP), Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific’s initiative which has helped students work and observe various roles across three rounds this year courtesy of technical partner EKS Motorsport. The best performing candidates have been selected to attend the finale this weekend, allowing them to once again gain crucial hands-on experience.

Porsche Sports Cup China will also be in attendance this weekend, creating a vibrant family atmosphere. The event will see Porsche customers given the opportunity to take on hot laps of the Shanghai International Circuit, before participating in the ever-popular Porsche Parade, with in excess of 200 cars set to be present.

On-track action gets underway with the first Free Practice session on Friday at 10:20 local time, as qualifying takes place on Saturday from 09:40, with Race 1 starting at 15:40. Sunday sees a double race day as Round 15 begins at 10:40, and it’s lights-out for the Endurance Cup at 15:40.

Alessandro Ghiretti, Team Jebsen: “I’m really looking forward to competing again at Shanghai as I enjoyed the round at the start of the year, taking my first PCCA win here. My focus is on taking it one session at a time and maximising our results. It’s been a great battle with Mathys and Dylan, which I’m sure will continue this weekend. Nothing changes coming into this event; I’ll try to do my best and hopefully at the end of Race 3 on Sunday I will have done enough to be crowned champion.”

Lu Wei, R&B Racing: “It’s great to be back in Porsche Carrera Cup Asia this weekend, as I learnt a lot from the series when winning the Pro-Am title in 2022. Shanghai is a track I enjoy and I won the Shanghai 8 Hours at the start of the month, which provided me with useful information. I can’t wait to race in a spec series again, which is always a pleasure, and to see several familiar faces in the paddock over the course of the three days.”

Eric Kwong, Bergwerk Motorsport: “In the season opener, I secured the double win in Shanghai which was an incredible feeling in front of my home crowd! This year has been an amazing journey, and to be leading the Am category with 293 points is a testament to the hard work of the entire team. It’s been a thrilling battle with Munkong, and he’s pushed me to elevate my performance. He’s a fantastic driver, I’m excited to resume our rivalry this weekend in what will be an exhilarating finale, and I’m ready to give it everything.”

Alexandre Imperatori, Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Manager: “I’m delighted to see the Endurance Challenge back after the successful first event in Sepang. It’s great to also have this format on a weekend with the overall and Am championships up for grabs, allowing for more points to be distributed across the three races. It’s going to be a Porsche festival weekend, with Porsche Sports Cup China in attendance as well! I’m thrilled to also welcome back the TTAP students and it’s amazing to be able to open the paddock to allow the fans to see what we do! It promises to be a brilliant event on and off the track and I can’t wait to crown our champions for 2024.”