Porsche Carrera Cup Asia is all set to kick off the new campaign on the support bill of the Chinese Grand Prix for the second consecutive year in Shanghai this weekend.

24 drivers will compete in four different classes throughout the season, with a home event for the championship set to start an action-packed calendar.

Earlier this month in preparation for the opening round at the Shanghai International Circuit, the series hosted its Official Test Days, where 2022 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup champion Dylan Pereira set the fastest time over the course of the weekend.

Pereira and Li Zhicong (610 Racing) will be joined in the Pro class by seven promising young drivers representing the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Talent Pool Presented by Michelin, including home crowd favourite Chinese racer Dylan Yip, in his second campaign for Phantom Global Racing.

Phantom Global Racing’s Bao Jinlong and Eric Kwong (Bergwerk Motorsport) are back to defend their Pro-Am and Am class titles respectively as the Masters category debuts for drivers over 50 at a sold-out Shanghai International Circuit.

The event sees some changes from the Official Test Days line-up with Francis Tjia moving to the #21 OpenRoad Racing, while Christian Chia comes into the #88 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup for the squad.

The full entry list can be viewed HERE.

The Dealer Trophy sees six entries from China-based dealers aiming to impress, with TORO Racing, Team Shanghai Yonda BWT, Team Betterlife, Team Jebsen and Porsche Own Retail 69 Team all in action. They will have to contend with a strong challenge from Sime Motors Racing and Porsche Team New Zealand in their quest for glory. Meanwhile, ten drivers from Mainland China will also be aiming for strong results at their home races.

2024 Dealer Trophy winners Team Jebsen celebrate 70 years of Porsche partnership with Jebsen Motors, sporting a special livery on Rodrigo Dias Almedia’s #55 car for their anniversary season.

‘A Night with Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific’ will be hosted on Friday evening as the championship hands out awards for last year’s winners on a special evening cruising on the iconic Huangpu River in downtown Shanghai.

Additionally, the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia 2024 champion Alessandro Ghiretti competed in Porsche Carrera Cup Australia last weekend on the Australian Grand Prix support bill. The entry was his prize for taking the Asian championship last season, where the Frenchman produced a strong performance, finishing in the points in the first two races, before taking victory in the final round of the event.

The Shanghai International Circuit, which opened in 2004 and was inspired by the Chinese symbol ‘shang’, features 16 corners with a mix of tight, twisting sections along with high-speed corners. The tricky, sloping Turns 1-4 will test the drivers, while the heavy breaking zone at the end of the 1.170-kilometre back straight provides an excellent overtaking opportunity.

Track action gets underway with practice on Friday as qualifying begins at 09:10 local time on Saturday, before Race 1 starts at 16:55 and lights out for the second event at 12:00 on Sunday, with the races being streamed on the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia website.

Rodrigo Dias Almeida, Team Jebsen: “I learnt a lot during my first year in the championship and I’m confident that will help me achieve even better results this campaign. It’s amazing to join the 2024 Dealer Trophy winners Team Jebsen, who have welcome me into a fantastic environment, full of belief that we can excel this season. Shanghai is a circuit I enjoy, especially due to the tricky first three corners, and I’m sure with the sold-out crowd it’ll make for a tremendous atmosphere.”

Eric Zang, TORO Racing: “The competition is always fierce in the Pro-Am category so my aim this weekend and for 2025 is to continue fighting for wins. The event in Shanghai gives the series an excellent opportunity to be shown to a wider audience due to supporting the Chinese Grand Prix. I’m looking forward to another campaign filled with brilliant action as well as seeing how TORO Racing’s young Pro-driver Enzo Trulli gets on during his debut year.”

Jacky Wu, Porsche Own Retail 69 Team: “The introduction of the Masters class is great for the competitive nature of the championship and will be an exciting addition. I love racing at the Shanghai International Circuit and, living in the city, I know the track very well. The target is to win the title in the Masters category this campaign and I aim to start 2025 with a strong weekend in Shanghai.”

Alexandre Imperatori, Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Manager: “We’re delighted to be getting the new season underway in Shanghai alongside the Chinese Grand Prix for the second year running. It’s a home event for us and Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific, with great support from Porsche China. The Official Test Days have given all the teams and drivers an excellent opportunity to prepare for an action-packed weekend in front of a sold-out crowd. We’re also looking forward to celebrating our 2024 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia winners at ‘A Night with Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific’ on Friday. It’s a brilliant chance for the championship to be viewed by so many fans in Shanghai and we’re aiming to kick off the campaign in style.”