Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (PCCA) got its 2024 season underway at the Shanghai International Circuit last weekend, with 2022 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Dylan Pereira impressing, taking top spot in three of the four sessions.

27 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992) were in action, as PCCA prepared for its 21st season of competition. Teams used the two days of testing to shake down the cars, and build working relationships with their drivers around the 5.451-kilometre track, which also hosts two PCCA events in 2024, bookending the year with the first and last rounds.

Featuring a strong mix of experienced and new PCCA racers, it was the debutant Pereira who went quickest in the first session for Team Shanghai Yonda BWT, less than half a tenth of a second faster than TORO Racing’s Mathys Jaubert one of the seven 2024 PCCA Talent Pool members.

Fellow Talent Pool racer Rodrigo Dias Almeida was third for R&B Racing, while Li Xuanyu topped the timesheets in the Pro-Am category for Z.SPEED Racing, ahead of Phantom Global Racing’s four-time champion Bao Jinlong and TORO Racing’s Eric Zang.

The series’ only female driver, Zhu Zhiyao, was quickest in the Am category in the #33 R&B Racing car, with EBM Giga Racing’s Adrian D’Silva and Zhiyao’s teammate, Yao Liangbo, close behind in second and third respectively.

The tight gaps between drivers in all categories continued to be a factor for the remaining three sessions.

Porsche Junior Ghiretti shows positive signs

2024 Porsche Junior Alessandro Ghiretti went fastest for Team Jebsen on Saturday afternoon, narrowly ahead of Jaubert and Pereira as the field continued to familiarise themselves with the car and track.

Bao Jinlong, entering his 10th season in the championship, was the quickest Pro-Am driver, with Team Betterlife’s Li Chao and Phantom Global Racing’s Zhang Yaqi second and third. Aside from Jinlong, the remaining five Pro-Am drivers were split by just over two-tenths of a second.

Adrian D’Silva and his EBM Giga Racing teammate Munkong Sathienthirakul were first and third, sandwiching the Z.SPEED driver of Hu Bo in second.

Mixed conditions provide extra challenge for field

As Day 2 began, drivers were forced to contend with changeable weather conditions, as frequent showers made things difficult. Pereira however, had no problems getting up to speed, setting the fastest time of the session ahead of Luanzhou International Circuit by Phantom Global Racing man Dylan Yip and Frenchman Jaubert.

Jinlong was quickest once again in the Pro-Am class, with Chao and Zang again second and third, while Sathienthirakul was top of the Am timings. Liangbo’s time was enough for second, while Christian Chia was third fastest for OpenRoad Racing.

The fourth and final session of the weekend saw Pereira set the fastest time of the weekend, with a 2.06:360. Jaubert, who was quick all weekend, was second, while Ghiretti completed the top-three.

Jinlong continued his strong showing in the Pro-Am class, with Xuanyu and Chao completing their strong respective weekends close behind, while D’Silva finished a positive test quickest in the Am category. Bo and Triple Ace Racing’s Henry Kwong rounded off the top-three in what is set to be a tight fight for the class title, with 14 drivers split closely across the weekend.

Following the OTD, the 2024 PCCA Talent Pool embarked on their first training camp of the season. Day 1 focused on physical and cognitive assessments at the state-of-the-art UFC Performance Institute in Shanghai, while Day 2 features media and brand training, including driving opportunities and interviews with driver coaches Sascha Maassen and Benjamin Rouget at the Porsche Experience Centre in Shanghai.

Now, the teams and drivers will continue their preparation for Rounds 1 and 2 of the 2024 season, back at Shanghai International Circuit on 19-21 April.

Thoughts from the drivers

Dylan Pereira, Team Shanghai Yonda BWT: “I wasn’t totally sure what to expect as it’s my first time here in the PCCA. From what I’ve seen so far, it’s like one big family, everyone is helpful and the weekend was well-organised. I felt good on track, obviously it’s great to set the fastest lap of the test but it doesn’t mean too much for the season. My aim is to win the title, but there are some very quick young drivers in the championship so we will have to work hard, keep improving and limit our mistakes throughout the champaign.”

Hu Bo, Z.SPEED Motorsport: “It was my first time driving the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992), so I had to spend some time familiarising myself with the car. It was a positive learning process, and I’m hoping to find a good rhythm on track as soon as possible and remain competitive throughout the year.”

Li Xuanyu, Z.SPEED Motorsport: “It was a positive weekend overall, unfortunately I encountered some traffic on fast laps, which limited my times. I’m hoping to find a breakthrough this season, to improve my driving and enjoy competing with so many high-level racers and learning as much as I can from them.”

Munkong Sathienthirakul, EBM Giga Racing: “My brother Tanart raced in PCCA from 2017 to 2019, so I know how strong the series is and had a good idea of what to expect this weekend. I always wanted to race in PCCA, so I’m delighted to have this opportunity. As a One-Make Series, the difference is all made by the driver, and I’m excited to prove myself in the season ahead. I’m happy with my progress during the test, the Shanghai International Circuit is a tough one to get right, so now my focus is on the championship. My target is to enjoy some good racing, put my all in and take some podium finishes!”

Alexandre Imperatori, Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Manager: “It’s been a long off-season and I’m now really excited to see the cars back on track for the Official Test Days. We’ve got a top field of drivers, with a good mix of new and returning faces. To have eight Porsche dealers involved in the championship is also a great sign and I’m very happy with the line-up. It’s set to be a competitive season across all three categories and I can’t wait for the championship to get underway!”