The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia will mark the start of its 10th season with the biggest grid in its history as it supports the 2012 FORMULA 1 UBS CHINESE GRAND PRIX this weekend. Twenty-eight stunning Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars, driven by a spectacular line-up of international professionals and exciting newcomers, will roar off the grid for the start of the six-stop season.

Following a pre-season test at China’s Zhuhai International Circuit last month, lap times would indicate a close-run battle from the start. Reigning champion, LKM Racing Team’s Keita Sawa of Japan, will face a fierce challenge to his title from the likes of Team Jebsen’s Rodolfo Avila, one point behind Sawa at the end of last season, PICC Team StarChase ace Alexandre Imperatori, Chinese driver Ho-Pin Tung making his GT debut in the Budweiser Team StarChase car, and experienced Porsche driver Austrian Martin Ragginger, entered by one of three new Chinese Porsche dealer team entries, Team Eagle – Jiejun & Junbaojie.

Also expected to make strong debuts are Frenchman Benjamin Rouget with new Team Yongda Dongfang and China’s Zhang Da Sheng with Team Basetex, who at just 19 years of age is the youngest driver in the field. In addition, at the wheel of the Team Carrera Cup Asia car, Dane Allan Simonsen will contest the two Shanghai season-openers.

Team BetterLife’s Wang Jian Wei, reigning Class B Champion, joins Team Kangshun’s Ringo Chong of Singapore and the series only lady driver, Rose Tan of Team C&D in the chase for the overall title.

Twelve nations and territories are represented amongst the truly international field, and the high-profile opening rounds represent a valuable chance for young Chinese and Asian talent to shine on the world stage. 

As it strengthens its position as the premier international sportscar championship in Asia, the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia continues to attract both exciting new talent as well as increasing commercial support, with Budweiser joining as a new partner from 2012.

Qualifying and Round 1 of the 2012 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia will be held on Saturday, April 14. Round 2, where the top eight finishers in the first race will be reversed on the grid, will be held on Sunday prior to the 2012 FORMULA 1 UBS CHINESE GRAND PRIX.

Prepared by Porsche Carrera Cup Asia

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