Following the season’s stunning debut in Sepang, the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia is now heading to Korea International Circuit for the first time since 2015, for Rounds 3 and 4.

Korea’s top track hosts the Carrera Cup once again

The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia’s first and only trip to Korea’s premier racing circuit was eight years ago in 2015. On that occasion, Chris van der Drift won both races on the way to his first of three Carrera Cup Asia championship wins. van der Drift is back in the series this year, and currently sitting second in the championship rankings, hoping for a repeat performance. Korea International Circuit was designed by legendary track designer Hermann Tilke. With a total of 18 turns, and the back half of the course consisting of a winding series of left and right hand bends, Korea International Circuit was inspired by street racing circuits, giving off a feeling of high-speed urban driving. The long straight between turns 2 and 3 ensure that there’s plenty of scope to build up speed in between the labyrinthine twists and turns.

Series veterans kept from the top spot in the season so far…

With its return to international racing meaning the return of international drivers, the Carrera Cup Asia’s 20-year anniversary season was always destined to see a thrilling clash between the returning series veterans and the newcomers who made their mark during the pandemic years. Sitting pretty at the top of the table after the first two rounds is one of our fresh-faced drivers, TORO Racing’s Luo Kailuo. The young Chinese driver made his series debut in 2022, finishing the season in second after an impressive number of podium finishes. Luo Kailuo returned to the series this year with his sights set on the championship and raced a near-perfect season opener, taking home both victories to put himself comfortably in the lead. Tied for second place behind him, we have the aforementioned Chris van der Drift driving for Team Shanghai Yongda, and making his series debut this year Meidong Racing’s Florian Latorre.

In the Pro-Am category, we have Porsche Beijing Central & Goldenport’s Zhou Bihuang leading the pack. Zhou made his series debut in 2021, coming in third in the Pro-Am championship, and is now in his third consecutive Carrera Cup Asia season. Just behind Zhou Bihuang we have TORO Racing’s Eric Zang, who graduated to the series this year having spent a number of seasons honing his skills in the Porsche Sports Cup China. Third in the Pro-Am category is three-time Pro-Am champion Bao Jinlong, one of our series veterans who missed out on winning the championship last year, and has returned to the series this season with a renewed hunger to reclaim his title. The action in the Am category is also already heating up, with newcomer Yang Ruoyu with BD Group topping the table, followed by 2021 Am category champion and 2022 runner up KiddyWorld Racing’s Eric Kwong. Eric is another of our series veterans, with a long history in the Carrera Cup Asia.

The Porsche Dealer Trophy has TORO Racing comfortably topping the points table, with Luo Kailuo’s two wins earning the team 50 points. Team Shanghai Yongda are in second on 37 points, thanks to their driver Chris van der Drift’s solid season opener, while Meidong Racing are in third on 34 points following Florian Latorre’s impressive series debut.

Porsche Carrera Cup Asia 2023 Season Calendar

11-12 March Official Test Days Sepang International Circuit

28-30 April Rounds 1 & 2 Sepang International Circuit

2-4 June Rounds 3 & 4 Korea International Circuit

30 June – 2 July Rounds 5 & 6 Suzuka Circuit

4-6 August Rounds 7 & 8 Chang International Circuit

25-27 August Rounds 9 & 10 Sepang International Circuit

15-17 September Rounds 11 & 12 Marina Bay Street Circuit

27-29 October Rounds 13 & 14 Shanghai International Circuit

The calendar above may be subject to change.

Porsche Sports Cup China 2023 Calendar

20-21 May Rounds 1 & 2 Ningbo International Speedpark

8-9 July Rounds 3 & 4 V1 Tianjin International Circuit

2-3 September Rounds 5 & 6 Zhuhai International Circuit

28-29 October Rounds 7 & 8 Shanghai International Circuit

The calendar above may be subject to change.

Series Partners

Supporting the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia are some of the most recognised names in international motorsport, Mobil 1, Michelin, Hugo Boss and TAG Heuer. Mobil 1 and Porsche have been partners since 1996. Close co-operation in research and development has led to every new Porsche engine being filled with Mobil 1 high-performance lubricant. Porsche Carrera Cup Asia drivers also have the advantage of racing on cutting-edge tyres supplied by series partner Michelin. The consistent performance and leading technology of Michelin tyres constantly improve the performance of many teams in international motorsport. The partnership between Michelin and the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia has emerged from a worldwide agreement signed between Porsche AG and the Michelin group. As the official clothing partner, Hugo Boss will equip the entire Porsche Motorsport team worldwide – both on the race track and in the workshop. Official timekeeper, Series, Watch and Timing partner TAG Heuer has been synonymous with motorsport since the earliest part of the 20th century, with leading partnerships extending across all areas of the sport and in particular, an already fruitful relationship with Porsche in Formula E, Esport and more. The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia is organised and promoted by Top Speed Shanghai Ltd.

About Porsche Carrera Cup Asia

Returning for its 20th season in 2023, the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia blasted off the starting grid in 2003 and has never looked back. Joining the family of hugely successful Porsche “one-make” series, it is now firmly established as the premier one-make racing series in Asia.

The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia offers sporting competition at the highest level across the region and is truly international, with competitors from all over Asia as well as Europe and the Pacific. The field is made up of a combination of professional racing drivers and ambitious and talented gentlemen drivers.

About Porsche China

Porsche was founded by Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Porsche in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1931 and was then transformed into a sports car manufacturer by Ferry Porsche in 1948. Porsche has been known as one of the most prestigious automobile brands in the world for decades. True to the core brand value of performance, Porsche leads the way in providing a new generation of sports cars that prove performance and efficiency can be perfectly combined.

Since entering the Chinese mainland in 2001, Porsche China has been dedicated to bringing the sporty genes and innovative spirit of the marque to Porsche enthusiasts in this dynamic market. In Porsche’s network in China, customers can experience the unlimited appeal of Porsche’s iconic sports cars: the legendary 911 series, the renowned 718 Boxster and Cayman mid-engine sports cars, the luxurious Cayenne premium SUV, the dynamic and pioneering Macan SUV, the luxurious four-door Panamera with pure sports genes and the all-electric Taycan with four-door sports saloon. Each demonstrates excellence in performance, exquisite design, and consistent commitment to perfect quality that Porsche embodies. Across the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macau, there are now 151 sales sites in operation, ensuring that Porsche customers across the country receive the hallmark personalised care that sets Porsche apart around the world.

A total of 21,365 Porsche cars were handed over to Chinese customers in the first quarter of 2023, ensuring that China remains the largest single global market for Porsche.

Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Ltd.

Since its launch in 2017, Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific has stood as a testament to Asia’s rising prominence in global motorsport and served as the sole retailer of Porsche GT race-cars in China and throughout the Asia Pacific region. In 2021, Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Ltd. was established as an independent entity in Jiading Comprehensive Bonded Zone, expanding and streamlining the availability of Porsche race cars and related services in the Chinese mainland. As a separate legal entity, Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Ltd. provides a comprehensive package for motorsport enthusiasts at all levels, including track side technical support, coaching, marketing support, spare parts and much more. Along with events, products and aftersales, Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Ltd. has the reach and capacity to take a budding racer from amateur to world-class, opening up access to the motorsport world stage for Chinese enthusiasts.