Will Aspin returns to European competition in Porsche Sprint Challenge Southern Europe
Talented young British/Italian racer Will Aspin is set to return to European motorsport competition as he heads to Spain and Portugal for the inaugural Porsche Sprint Challenge Southern Europe season with Team Parker Racing.
The newly launched series takes place over three weekends in January and February, making the most of optimal winter weather conditions in Southern Europe during what is traditionally down time for motorsport.
Will, fresh from his maiden Porsche Carrera Cup GB season with Team Parker Racing, will compete in the familiar confines of his 911 GT3 Cup (Type 992) machine, with racers grouped into Pro, Pro-Am, and Am classes.
The 18-year-old took in a round of the Carrera Cup Benelux in 2022, travelling to Assen in the Netherlands for his first taste of competition on the continent, and will be keen to enjoy some outstanding FIA Grade 1 venues in a relaxed but competitive environment.
He will head to Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo, Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, and Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with two races at each venue, before focusing on the rest of his 2023 plans, which will be confirmed in due course.
2023 Porsche Sprint Challenge Southern Europe calendar
20 – 21 Jan Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo, Spain
11 – 12 Feb Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, Portugal
24 – 25 Feb Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain
Will Aspin
“It will be my first time in the car since Brands Hatch last year and nice to open the new year at a new track in Valencia. I’ve spent some time on the sim learning the circuit and am excited about going there, getting some miles under our belts, and continuing to learn. It looks like a fast, wide, and fun venue, though track limits will be tough there.
“I’ve driven at Portimão before, so that’s a place I can work on improving how I performed before and focus on one lap pace, while Barcelona will also be a new circuit for me to visit, so I am looking forward to that one as well.
“With Adam Smalley joining the team as well as Ryan [Ratcliffe] and Jake [Giddings] who were also in Pro-Am in the Carrera Cup GB last season, there’s a team of us who work well together and have a good relationship. I’ve known Adam for a few years now so he’s not a stranger and coached me in Ginetta Junior and GT5 a few times, so it will be good to have his laps as a reference for us to aim for.
“We’ll be using this as our winter testing, as while test days are useful, there’s nothing quite like having practice, qualifying, and two races. It will be useful for honing race craft and good preparation for what comes during the rest of the year.
“We won’t know what the competition is going to be like until we get there, but if there’s a chance for a podium or a win, we’ll be going for it. That said, the main objective is getting race ready for a good 2023 season and not taking too many risks.”