Porsche Michelin Supercup

For the first time the Porsche Michelin Supercup will compete on Arabian soil. The show race takes place as support to the Bahrain Grand Prix from 1st to 3rd April. The extra racing weekend, where no points for this year's championship are awarded, came as an express wish from the Royal Palace as well as from the race organiser.

Fans and drivers alike are eager to experience the first race outing of the latest Porsche 911 GT3 Cup - which is based on the new 911 Carrera-997. The first racing version of the current 911 competes exclusively in the Porsche Michelin Supercup. With 400 hp, a sequential six-speed gearbox and the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB), as well as sophisticated race aerodynamics, this GT3 Cup is the most powerful and at the same time the most challenging racing sportscar in the history of the Porsche Michelin Supercup.

Jens Walther, manager of the Porsche Michelin Supercup: "We are naturally pleased about the popularity of our racing series and feel very honoured to receive such a kind invitation from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa. For Porsche, the Middle East is an important market with an impressive potential. From the sporting side, a new Grand Prix circuit with a totally new car will be an interesting challenge for everyone."

From his side, Mohamed Rahman, Acting Managing Director of Dubai-based Porsche Middle East & Africa said: "We are very excited and proud to bring the Porsche Michelin Supercup to this region. We believe it is a unique occasion for us to extend to all Porsche aficionados, sports car lovers and spectators the opportunity to watch and follow this exciting race for the first time in the Middle East."

After the guest appearance in Bahrain the regular racing season will take off with the first of twelve rounds at the San Marino Grand Prix in Imola (Italy). Since 1993, the Porsche Michelin Supercup has been the only racing series with Gran Turismo sportscars to run exclusively as support to Formula 1.