In Friday’s press conference at the Porsche Experience Centre in Shanghai, Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific was delighted to announce that it will support Earl Bamber Motorsport and Team Carrera Cup Asia in the 2019 Bathurst 12 Hour (31 January – 3 February).
For the opening round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge, Earl Bamber Motorsport will enter two special-liveried Porsche 911 GT3 R, with Team Carrera Cup Asia fielding a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 991) for its second appearance.
The 6.213 km legendary Mount Panorama Circuit provides a stern challenge for both driver and car, with the narrow and undulating 23-turn track requiring maximum focus throughout the 12-hour race.
After impressing during its maiden Porsche Carrera Cup Asia campaign last year, Earl Bamber Motorsport will make its Bathurst debut with six Porsche factory drivers. On board the #911 Porsche 911 GT3 R will be Romain Dumas, Mathieu Jaminet and Sven Müller, whereas Dirk Werner, Matt Campbell and Dennis Olsen will pilot the #912 car.
Porsche Young Professional Jaminet and 2016 Porsche Supercup champion Müller head to the circuit for the first time, with versatile factory driver Dumas making his second appearance. 2017 Bathurst 12 Hour Pro-Am winner Campbell and Werner also return, as promising Danish youngster Olsen looks to further develop his already impressive racing CV with Porsche.
Additionally, the squad will run a one-off special livery on both of its entries, paying homage to the team’s origin in New Zealand.
Meanwhile, Team Carrera Cup Asia will run the #23 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 991) in the all-Porsche Cup car Class B category, with some of Porsche Carrera Cup Asia’s strongest drivers from 2018.
The series’ first three-time champion Chris van der Drift will make his third Bathurst appearance, and is joined by last year’s Pro-Am champion Bao Jinlong and top-performing 2018 Talent Pool driver Philip Hamprecht.
Completing the line-up is Bathurst 12 Hour regular and Carrera Cup Asia driver Paul Tresidder, who has been selected as the team’s local representative once again, following a strong showing with the squad last year.
Alexandre Gibot, Head of Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific, said: “The Bathurst 12 Hour is one of the most challenging and scenic endurance races in the region. Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific is thrilled with the opportunity to take part and support an incredibly talented line-up of Porsche drivers for this year’s event. Our main goal is to provide our customer teams with the strongest vehicles, service and support possible – and we couldn’t have asked for a better race or more dedicated teams to do so. We wish all of our drivers the best of luck!”
The Bathurst 12 Hour will be streamed live on the Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific and Porsche Carrera Cup Asia websites.
